The Lapis Connection

Nickel silver, also known as German silver, Argentann, new silver, nickel brass, albata, or alpacca, is a copper alloy with nickel and often zinc. The usual formulation is 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. Nickel silver is named for its silvery appearance, but it contains no elemental silver unless plated.

The Alpacca alloy was developed in 1823 by the German chemist Dr. Ernst August Geitner (1783-1852). It was very similar in its appearance to silver, but significantly cheaper. Therefore, this new alloy was first called "Argentan". It consisted of 20% nickel, 55% copper and 25% zinc. The new silver-imitating alloy soon became very popular.

The great advantage of the use of Alpacca alloy as the base metal for silver plating is that the appearance of the objects does not change significantly with the wearing away of the silver layer.

Instructions

Polish your Alpaca silver with a metal polishing cloth to remove any tarnish buildup. Normal day-to-day wear keeps the metal from becoming dull, however, exposure to soaps and other cleansers may create a film on the surface.

Wash dirt and grime from the Alpaca silver using a mild detergent, such as a dish liquid, mixed with warm water. Use a soft cloth to wipe heavily soiled areas. Rinse the metal in warm water.

Use a soft toothbrush on jewelry pieces that contain gems or rhinestone settings. The bristles can also clean any crevices in intricate pieces of Alpaca jewelry. Always use water when cleaning with the toothbrush to avoid scratching the surface of the jewelry.

Use a solution of baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the Alpaca silver and wipe it off with a soft cloth. Continue buffing out the metal with a clean cloth until the shine returns.

Dry the Alpaca silver thoroughly before storing the metal. Although the Alpaca silver will not rust, the water can cause the metal to become dingy.