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German Silver is a trade name for a full 18 percent nickle silver polished to a jewlery finish. Nickle Silver is a copper based metal with 10-45% zinc and 5-30% nickle. The usual mix for Nickle silver is 65% copper, 18% nickle and 17% zinc.
Alpaca is Mexican Nickle Silver and found on many of your older style bridles and saddles. The old stuff was very nice and is sought by many collectors.
Silver Plate is a thin layer of silver over a metal usually nickel or brass. This kind of silver is found on much of the lower and mid-range tack of today. Some of the silver is better than others so be sure to by from a quality manufacturer such as Alamo, Circle Y or Textan.
Silver Overlaid is a combination of nickle with an overlay of sterling. Your upper manufacturers such as Dale Chavez, Billy Royal, Mclelland will use this type of silver.
Sterling Silver is 92.5% sterling and 6.5% copper or other base metal. Usually these will be your custom buckles and conchos manufacturers such as Diablo, Vogt and Fleming.