What is Silver?
Native Silver is a cubic elemental mineral with bright metallic colour, valued both as a precious metal and as a dramatic wire, dendritic or massive collector specimen.
Mineralogy and crystal structure
Reference formula: Ag. Silver crystallises in a cubic close-packed structure and commonly forms wires, sheets, dendrites and irregular masses. Tarnish can darken the surface without changing the underlying mineral identity. Silver is classified with native elements and has a cubic crystal system. Typical hardness is 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale and specific gravity is approximately 10.0–10.5.
Colour, lustre and habit
Typical colours include silver-white, grey, black. The usual wire, dendritic, massive habit and metallic lustre help describe a specimen, but colour alone is not diagnostic.
Formation and notable localities
Silver forms in or is associated with hydrothermal ore veins, supergene enrichment zones and volcanic or epithermal mineral systems. Important documented localities include Mexico, Peru, Bolivia, Norway, Germany, Canada, the United States and Australia.
The precious metal as a natural mineral
Silver occupies a rare space in the market: it is an elemental mineral, a usable precious metal and a collector object. Natural wire and dendritic forms usually carry more mineralogical interest than generic bullion texture.
Collecting and care
Handle with clean dry hands, keep away from sulfur-bearing materials and store in a stable low-humidity environment. Avoid abrasive polishing on historic or delicate wires.
