Silver and its uses

Silver is a precious metal and chemical element. It was discovered more than 6000 years ago and has been used over the centuries in various fields. This metal is generally found in a combined state; usually with copper or lead mineralization. It also an industrial commodity used in photography and electronics and is used for bullion, coins, and jewelry. Silver occurs in native form, combined with sulfur, arsenic, antimony, or chlorine and in ores including argentite (Ag2S) and horn silver (AgCl). The principal sources of silver are copper, copper-nickel, gold, lead and lead-zinc ores obtained from Canada, Cobalt, Ontario, Mexico (historically Batopilas), Peru, Australia and the United States .  Silver cannot be created but occurs naturally. The various sources of silver are mine production, government – central bank reserves (also known as above ground supply of silver) and recycled scrap. Any delay, interruption or reduction in any of the supply sources leads to big market price hikes, as the demand for silver bullion surpasses its supply.   The largest component of silver supply is the mine production accounting for nearly 72% of the silver supply. Government sales are done to stabilize silver prices in crisis situations like war or natural disasters. 

The alloys of silver have many commercial uses such as:

1. Sterling silver (92.5% silver, with copper or other metals) is used for silverware and jewelry.
2. Silver is used in photography, dental compounds, solder, brazing, electrical contacts, batteries, mirrors, and printed circuits.
3. Freshly deposited silver is the best known reflector of visible light, but it rapidly tarnishes and loses its reflectance.
4. Silver fulminate (Ag2C2N2O2) is a powerful explosive.
5. Silver iodide is used in cloud seeding to produce rain.
6. Silver chloride can be made transparent and is also used as cement for glass.
7. Silver nitrate, or lunar caustic, is used extensively in photography.
8. Silver is germicidal and may be used to kill many lower organisms without harm to higher organisms.
9. Silver has also been used as coinage in many countries, for Eg. The Silver Standard in the Unites States in the 1700’s.