 Discovery Information |
| Who: Known to the ancients. |
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| Name Origin |
| Latin argentum (silver). Silver from old english seolfor for silver. |
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| Sources |
| Found in ores called argentite (AgS), light ruby silver (Ag3AsS3), dark ruby silver (Ag3SbS3) and brittle silver. The main sources of silver are in Canada, Mexico (the largest producer), Peru, Australia and the USA. |
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| Uses |
| Used in alloys for jewellery, in many compounds, coins, photographic film and paper electronics, solder, mirrors and batteries. |
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| Notes |
| Silver has been used for thousands of years for ornaments and utensils, for trade, and as the basis for many monetary systems. Its value as a precious metal was long considered second only to gold. In Ancient Egypt and Medieval Europe, it was often more valuable than gold. |
| Sterling silver is 92.5% silver. |
