German or Nickel silver is a silvery-white alloy consisting of copper, zinc and nickel. But since many people have allergic reactions to nickel, this form is not as popular in products worn against the skin. The name for various alloys of copper, zinc, and nickel, sometimes also containing lead and tin. They were originally named for their silver-white color, but use of the term silver is now prohibited for alloys not containing that metal.

Composition
German silver varies in composition, the percentage of the three elements ranging approximately as follows: copper, from 50% to 61.6%; zinc, from 19% to 17.2%; nickel, from 30% to 21.1%. The proportions are always specified in commercial alloys.

Jewelry & Other Products
German silver is extensively used to make jewelry because of its hardness, toughness, and resistance to corrosion. Silvercraft on german silver includes armlets, anklets, bangles, chokers, necklaces, bead necklace, chain necklace, bracelets, earrings, tops, pendants, rings, toe rings, hair clips, brooches and jewelry sets. These are also used to craft articles such as tableware, marine fittings, and plumbing fixtures. Because of its high electrical resistance it is used also in heating coils.