GERMAN Silver 5 X 10mm Oval Beads

German silver has no silver in it. It is metal alloy made up of 60% copper, 20% nickel and 20% zinc. In the late 1800s it was used to make table wear. It looks like silver, but doesn't tarnish and was less expensive than sterling. Indigenous Americans often melted these pieces down to make jewelry. This was and still is also done in Some African Tribes. The strand is 22" long.