|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
|
|
| How to Post Photos |
REGISTER (click here)
|
|
 SMP Silver Salon Forums
 Silverplate Forum
 What is "alpaca" or "alpacca"?
|
 SSFFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: What is "alpaca" or "alpacca"? |
|
janwg Posts: 2 |
posted 10-27-1999 02:18 PM
  
and does the definition of alpaca/alpacca differ depending on the country of origin? i have seen american-made items from the early 20th century marked alpaca/alpacca, and Mexican-made items marked alpaca/alpacca. thank you! IP: Logged |
|
Brent Posts: 1507 |
posted 10-29-1999 10:26 PM
Alpacca seems to be a fancy term for plain old german or nickel silver. I am not sure who first used the term, or why. Like you, I have seen it on Mexican, American and European wares. I have also seen both plated and unplated items marked alpacca. In the case of the plated items, alpacca is probably referring to the base metal. IP: Logged |
|
Scott Martin Forum Master Posts: 11520 |
posted 10-30-1999 12:24 AM
Alpacca or Alpaca: An alloy of nickel, copper, and zinc, forming a silvery white metal, imitating silver, but with no silver content. Other names for this mix of metal are Albata, German silver, nickel silver, N.S. (Nickel silver), white metal. The alloy of is usually found: IP: Logged |
|
Paul Lemieux Posts: 1792 |
posted 12-06-2000 03:42 PM
Alpaca or Alpacca (I think the latter spelling is usually on European pieces, the former on Mexican) is an alloy composed of 98% zinc & brass and 2% silver. Without a silverplated finish, alpaca tends to polish up nicely, but may soon turn to a kind of repulsive (at least to me), lustreless, splotchy, brassy-silver color. Actually, in my travels to antique stores & flea markets looking at jewelry & silver I've seen many Mexican pieces stamped STERLING 925 AND "Alpaca." These pieces are never sterling. In fact, many pieces marked STERLING without the Alpaca mark are still Alpaca. All of these Mexican pieces are inferior in quality. A fair amount of jewelry was made, seemingly in imitation of or inspired by Theodor Fahrner designs, in Germany that is marked Alpacca; as noted, the base metal is alpaca metal. IP: Logged |
|
Stephen Posts: 625 |
posted 05-10-2003 06:27 AM
Paul, are you talking about the same thing the Brent and Scott are? I'm confused. IP: Logged |
|
FredZ Posts: 1070 |
posted 05-10-2003 09:18 AM
I believe most if not all of the many alloys of nickle copper alloys, that go by a multitude of names, have no silver in them. All references I have seen concerning alpaca/alpac state that they are composed of only base metals. I do not believe adding silver to the alloy would create any desirable properties to the alloy except to raise the cost of making it. IP: Logged |
All times are ET | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46a
|
1. Public Silver Forums (open Free membership) - anyone with a valid e-mail address may register. Once you have received your Silver Salon Forum password, and then if you abide by the Silver Salon Forum Guidelines, you may start a thread or post a reply in the New Members' Forum. New Members who show a continued willingness to participate, to completely read and abide by the Guidelines will be allowed to post to the Member Public Forums. 2. Private Silver Salon Forums (invitational or $ donation membership) - The Private Silver Salon Forums require registration and special authorization to view, search, start a thread or to post a reply. Special authorization can be obtained in one of several ways: by Invitation; Annual $ Donation; or via Special Limited Membership. For more details click here (under development). 3. Administrative/Special Private Forums (special membership required) - These forums are reserved for special subjects or administrative discussion. These forums are not open to the public and require special authorization to view or post. |
|
copyright © 1993 - 2022
SM Publications
All Rights Reserved. Legal & Privacy Notices |