What is silver, how did it originate and where does it come from?

What is silver? Silver is a chemical element with the symbol Ag and atomic number 47. This precious metal is slightly harder than gold and has a white sheen. In addition, silver has the highest electrical conductivity and the lowest contact resistance of all metals. Its conductivity surpasses that of copper and gold. Finally, silver also has the best thermal conductivity and the highest optical reflectivity of all metals.

Physical and chemical properties of silver

Silver is easy to work with, yet strong enough for everyday use. It retains its beauty for a long time because it hardly rusts and always maintains its shine. Due to its excellent light reflectivity, it is often used in the production of mirrors.

Silver does not react with other substances. Even under extreme conditions, silver retains its high quality. This combination is what makes silver so special: it is both visually appealing and practical to use.

The formation of silver in nature

Silver forms through a process called precipitation—deposits that arise from hot solutions inside the Earth. These are generally aqueous solutions that contain silicates and other dissolved elements. The solutions include sulfur compounds and metals that are driven out of rock under high pressure and high temperatures.

Alongside silver, sulfides and arsenides often form during precipitation. Large amounts of silver were historically mined in Freiburg, Germany. Today, silver is mainly mined in Canada, Peru, Mexico, and the United States.

How silver is extracted and processed

Silver is usually extracted from ore, often in combination with lead, zinc, or copper. In ancient times, this was done by heating the ore in stone furnaces; nowadays, modern smelting and chemical separation techniques are used.

A significant portion of silver is obtained as a by-product of mining other precious metals such as gold and copper. In addition, recycling is playing an increasingly important role: silver is now also recovered from old jewelry, electronics, and industrial applications. This helps keep silver more available for the future.

Major silver-producing countries

Mexico, Peru, and China have been among the world’s largest silver producers for many years. Significant silver mining also takes place in countries such as Russia, Poland, Australia, and the United States.

Still, a major portion of the global silver supply doesn’t come from silver mines but from recycling. Recycled silver from jewelry, electronics, and old industrial uses is making up an ever-larger share of the supply. Recycling helps meet demand in a more sustainable way. Silver coins and bars are popular among investors and represent a significant part of the global silver market.

Modern applications of silver

Today, silver is used in many different ways. In jewelry, it provides a brilliant shine that lasts. It’s no surprise that silver is also used in cutlery—its hygienic properties and luxurious appearance are widely appreciated.

One important modern application of silver is in electronics. Electronic devices often contain small amounts of silver—in switches, contacts, and conductors in smartphones, laptops, and cars, for example.

Although analog photography is used less today, silver remains essential for producing specialized photographic materials. Of course, physical silver is also highly valued as an investment product. Discover the premium silver coins and silver bars from The Silver Mountain. Have questions about our offerings? Contact us.

Disclaimer: The Silver Mountain does not provide investment advice and this article should not be considered as such. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.