German silver, also called nickel silver, is an alloy of copper, zinc and nickel. Despite the name it contains no silver. It has a silvery colour, polishes well and costs far less than real silver, which is why it is used widely in oxidised, tribal and boho jewellery.
The nickel is the key point for buyers. Nickel is a common skin allergen, and markets such as the EU restrict how much nickel jewellery may release onto skin.
Where it is made
German silver jewellery is widely made and traded from Delhi and Jaipur, as well as in other centres. Rajkot makers also work with it, but brass is more common in Rajkot's mainstream imitation ranges.
The nickel question
Under EU REACH rules, items in prolonged skin contact must not release more than 0.5 micrograms of nickel per square centimetre per week, and parts inserted into pierced skin, such as earring posts, no more than 0.2. Bare German silver is unlikely to pass, because nickel is a main part of the alloy.
Plating or coating over German silver can reduce release, but it can wear through. If you sell in the EU or UK, either avoid German silver for skin-contact parts or test finished pieces for nickel release before you buy in bulk.
Describing it honestly
- Do not call it silver. Use German silver or nickel silver, and say it contains nickel.
- Do not describe it as hypoallergenic or nickel-free.
- Keep the supplier's written material declaration on file.
What this means for a buyer
German silver gives an affordable silver look, but it is the wrong base for nickel-restricted markets unless test results prove otherwise. Our guide to jewellery manufacturer certifications explains why product test reports matter more than factory certificates.
Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We confirm base metals at the workshop, have samples tested at NABL-accredited labs and supervise packing. Start with a free sourcing review.