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Properties of Silver
Silver can be found pure, but is usually mixed with
small amounts of gold, arsenic, and antimony. A natural
alloy of gold and silver is known as Electrum, and is
usually classified as a variety of gold. Silver is a
very resistant mineral. It does not dissolve in most
solutions, and won't react to oxygen or water. Its weak
point is its reaction to sulfur and sulfides, which
cause it to tarnish. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is found in
the atmosphere in small quantities, and when silver is
exposed to normal air it reacts to the hydrogen sulfide,
causing the tarnish. Egg yolks, which contain large
quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as sulfur
ores, should be kept away from silver. Several chemical
coats are available to protect it from tarnish, and
certain polishes remove tarnish. Silver salts are
poisonous due to the anions present.
Beautiful and Yet Affordable - One of the 8
Precious Metals
One of eight precious metals in the coinage metal family, Silver (Native
Silver elemental symbol: Ag) has a color that is metallic, and
silver-white. It is the most lustrous metal on Earth and is behind only
Gold in malleability and ductility. Exposure to Oxygen produces Silver
Oxide that turns the specimen to a dark gray or black. Native Silver’s
crystal habit is rare and usually manifests in intriguing wire
structures. Commercial fine silver contains at least 99.9% silver.
Purities of 99.999+% are available commercially. Silver has three
commercial types:
How Silver is Measured?
The system for measuring Silver, as well as Gold and Platinum, is Troy
weight. A standard Pound is equivalent to 14.58 Troy Ounces, while 1
Troy Pound is only 12 Troy Ounces.
Properties
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The alloys of silver are important.
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Pure silver has a brilliant white metallic luster
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Pure silver has the highest electrical and thermal
conductivity of all metals, and possesses the lowest
contact resistance
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It is stable in pure air and water, but tarnishes
when exposed to ozone, hydrogen sulfide, or air
containing sulfur
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It is a little harder than gold and is very ductile
and malleable, being exceeded only by gold and
perhaps palladium
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Sterling silver is used for jewelry, silverware,
etc. where appearance is paramount.
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This alloy contains 92.5% silver, the remainder
being copper or some other metal.
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Silver is of the utmost importance in photography,
about 30% of the U.S. industrial consumption going
into this application.
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It is used for dental alloys.
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Silver is used in making solder and brazing alloys,
electrical contacts, and high capacity silver-zinc
and silver-cadmium batteries.
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Silver paints are used for making printed circuits.
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It is used in mirror production and may be deposited
on glass or metals by chemical deposition,
electrodeposition, or by evaporation.
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When freshly deposited, it is the best reflector of
visible light known, but is rapidly tarnished and
loses much of its relectance.
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It is a poor reflector of ultraviolet.
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Silver fulminate, a powerful explosive, is sometimes
formed during the silvering process.
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Silver iodide is used in seeding clouds to produce
rain.
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Silver chloride has interesting optical properties
as it can be made transparent; it also is a cement
for glass.
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Silver nitrate, or lunar caustic, the most important
silver compound, is used extensively in photography.
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5%
pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. The
sterling silver standard has a minimum millesimal
fineness of 925. Because pure silver is so soft, it
should only be used when malleability is required, such
as in handcrafted jewelry featuring weaving and other
intricate designs. High-end Silver jewelry is often...
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Origins of Silver
The area of Anatolia (modern Turkey) is considered the first major
source of mined silver, having provided the resource to craftsman
throughout Asia Minor. Silver from the Anatolian region largely served
as the source of silver for the Western cultures flourishing in the Near
East, Crete, and Greece. Silver craftsmanship was centered largely in
Asia Minor and Greek Islands...
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Beauty of Silver
While other precious metals such as gold and platinum
are priced highly and while some are priced very highly
based on artificial scarcity (for example diamonds),
Mother Earth gives Silver in abundance and it comes as a
better choice due to its cool, white and pleasing luster
with easy care and much better price!
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History of Silver
Silver has always been held in high esteem and displayed
as a status symbol since it was mined approx. 4,000 BC
in Asia Minor. In the earliest Egyptian records, it was
considered more precious than gold. Interestingly, with
all of silver's magical power...
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Price of Silver
Silver, like other precious metals, may be used as an
investment. For more than four thousand years, silver
has been regarded as a form of money and store of value.
However, since the end of the silver standard, silver
has lost its role as legal tender in the United
States...
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Why Alloy Silver with Other Metals?
Silver is usually alloyed with copper to enhance its
durability and prevent damage to the metal. It is
relatively soft, very malleable, and easily damaged so
it is commonly combined with other metals to produce a
more durable product. The most popular of these alloys
is sterling silver, which consists of 92.5 percent
silver and 7.5 percent copper. Although any metal can...
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How to Care for Your Silver Jewelry
As in any jewelry including gold, platinum jewelry
studded with diamonds or precious colored stones, we
recommend that you check your jewelry every 6 months
Prongs can wear thin and let stones fall out. Chains and
Pearl Strands weaken with wear...
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Back
to 'All About Silver' Summary
Sterling silver is an alloy of silver containing 92.5%
pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Sterling silver is
the standard for charming beautiful white cool luster of silver and is
the standard for high quality silver jewelry. The beautiful white metal
of silver has had an illustrious history, at times being more highly
valued than gold. Long used as a medium of exchange...
Read more...
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