Materials disclosure
German Silver vs sterling silver: what wholesale buyers should know
German Silver (also called nickel silver) is not sterling silver and contains no elemental silver. It is a copper–nickel–zinc base-metal alloy used for a bright silver-white look at wholesale price points. Turquoise Trade House offers designs in Brass, German Silver, or Copper, unplated or silver-plated, and never describes German Silver as sterling, solid silver, or fine silver.
· Turquoise Trade House
What “German Silver” means
Despite the name, German Silver is a historical trade name for a bright, silver-colored base-metal alloy (commonly copper, nickel, and zinc). It is also called nickel silver. The name does not mean the metal came from Germany in every batch, and it does not mean the piece contains silver.
German Silver vs sterling — side by side
| German Silver | Sterling silver | |
|---|---|---|
| Silver content | None (as an alloy definition) | Typically 92.5% silver |
| Also called | Nickel silver | 925 silver |
| On this site | Offered as a base metal option | Not used as a catalog base-metal claim |
| Honest retail tag | “German Silver” / “nickel silver” | “Sterling silver” only if verified |
Silver plating on base metals
Designs may be offered unplated or silver-plated over Brass, German Silver, or Copper. Plating is a surface layer. Turquoise Trade House does not publish a plating thickness until a verification method and supporting record exist for the batch. Plating can wear with use.
Why this matters for boutiques
Customers often assume a silver-colored Western cuff is sterling. Clear tags protect your store and match how we describe metals on every product page and on the materials disclosures page. For a broader metal comparison, see the blog guide on Brass vs German Silver vs Copper when that article is live on your crawl path, or browse German Silver designs in the catalog.
FAQs
Is German Silver sterling silver?
No. German Silver (nickel silver) contains no elemental silver. Sterling silver is typically 92.5% silver; German Silver is a copper–nickel–zinc alloy.
Does Turquoise Trade House sell sterling silver?
The public catalog base metals are Brass, German Silver, and Copper — unplated or silver-plated. Products are not described as sterling silver, Native American-made, or handmade unless separately confirmed in writing.
Is silver-plated the same as sterling?
No. Silver plating is a thin surface layer over a base metal. It can wear with use and is not solid sterling.
How should retailers tag German Silver?
Use the alloy name (German Silver or nickel silver). Do not call it sterling, solid silver, or fine silver.