What exactly is German silver wire and where can I buy it?

[Diane]

I've seen some lampwork recently made directly onto German silver wire and wonder exactly what the difference is between that and sterling and where I might get some.
Thanks
Diane x

[mizgeorge]

German silver is also called nickel silver. It's a copper-nickel-zinc alloy containing no silver whatsoever. It used to be popular for flatware and some jewellery.

Unfortunately it doesn't comply with EC nickel directives so can't be used for anything that might become jewellery here.

It is still sometimes used in the US, where there are no nickel rules.

[MadelineBunyan]

George has beaten me to it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nickel_silver

[Diane]

Thanks both - looks like I won't be making beads on German silver then .
Diane x