Nickel silver (German silver, alpaca)
On the label: Nickel silver · Alloy
What it is
An alloy of copper, nickel and zinc that contains no silver at all. Silver-colored, cheap, and the most common source of nickel reactions in jewelry; sold as German silver or alpaca.
Alloys: Mixtures of metals used because pure gold and silver are too soft to wear; the other metals set the color and the hardness, and sometimes the allergy question.
Wikidata: Shiny alloy of copper, nickel, and zinc. Q203874 →
In the research
2 PubMed papers mention it with jewelry, allergy, eyewear or UV; the three most recent:
- Jewellery: alloy composition and release of nickel, cobalt and lead assessed with the EU synthetic sweat method · Contact dermatitis, 2015
- Nickel-containing alloys and platings and their ability to cause dermatitis · The British journal of dermatology, 1996
A paper is a paper, not a verdict: titles are listed so you can read them, and a study on one fabric or one filter says little about the piece in your hand.
Pieces whose listing names it
7 on the siteMatched from the words in the supplier's listing; the full material line is on each product page.
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USA
Made in the USAOther alloys
Clasp & Lens describes materials from the public record and does not appraise, grade or test pieces; what a listing states is the supplier's statement. If a piece causes a rash, take it off; a reaction that spreads or blisters is a doctor's question, and sunglasses are no substitute for impact-rated eye protection where that is required.