What does ALPACA mean on jewelry?
Short answer
An alloy with no precious metal, whatever the name says (alpaca, nickel silver, German silver: copper, nickel and zinc).
The stamp in detail
| Item | What the tables say |
|---|---|
| Stamp | ALPACA |
| Class | Alloy without precious metal |
Is there any melt value?
The alloy has no precious metal, so there is no melt value to calculate.
If you still want to try numbers, the calculator does the sum for a stamped fineness. It will not compute one for a plated or filled stamp.
What ALPACA can be mistaken for
Pieces that look like silver and are not:
- silver plate (EPNS)
- alpaca, nickel silver
- white gold and platinum
What a stamp cannot settle: Silver, white gold or platinum without marks: white colour does not tell them apart.
What settles it:
- Jeweller: acids or X-ray fluorescence.
Related stamps
Also in this group: NICKEL SILVER.
Frequently asked
What does ALPACA mean on jewelry?
An alloy with no precious metal, whatever the name says (alpaca, nickel silver, German silver: copper, nickel and zinc).