What is silver: coins and bars

Silver, chemically referred to as Ag (from the Latin ‘argentum’), is a precious metal and element with unique physical and chemical properties that make it valuable in numerous industries. 
Silver has the highest level of electrical and thermal conductivity of any metal, making it indispensable in electronics and technology applications. In addition, silver is reflective and corrosion resistant, making it versatile.
Thanks to its electrical conductivity, silver is widely used in switches, connectors and batteries. Its high thermal conductivity makes it suitable for heat-sensitive applications, such as in solder alloys and electronic circuits. 
Furthermore, we find silver in the medical sector for its antibacterial properties and in the solar industry, where it is used in solar panels to efficiently convert light into energy.
 

The origin of silver in nature

Silver is formed deep in the Earth's crust, by complex chemical processes. It is often found in combination with other metals, such as copper and lead, and mined from veins of ore. These silver veins form when hot, metal-rich fluids seep through cracks and fissures in the rocks, leaving minerals there, such as silver particles. 
Silver is a scarce element, which adds to its value. Like gold, silver is not affected by oxygen, so it does not rust and retains its luster.
 

The mining of silver and silver ore

Most silver extracted from ore veins is a by-product of mining for copper, lead and zinc.
In mining, silver ore and other metals are first separated by smelting processes. Here, heat and chemical reactions are used to extract pure silver. The silver ingots extracted are then refined and sold. Silver is then used for industrial applications, in jewellery and as investments.
 

The global sources of silver

Silver is mined worldwide, but the largest producers are Mexico, Peru, China and Australia. Mexico has long been the largest producer of silver. This country supplies a significant part of the global silver supply. 
Silver production is highly dependent on economic and industrial conditions, so the supply of silver sometimes fluctuates. The fact that silver is mined all over the world makes it a stable precious metal. Silver therefore offers opportunities for investors to benefit from the demand for silver worldwide.
 

Applications of silver in jewellery, industry and investment coins

Silver has a wide range of applications thanks to its unique properties. The precious metal has many different properties, such as electrical conductivity, reflectivity and antibacterial qualities. This ensures that silver has all kinds of applications:
Jewellery: Silver is valued in the jewellery industry for its luster and malleability. Because silver is long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing, silver is popular in earrings, rings and bracelets.
Industry: Silver plays a crucial role in the electronics, medical and solar panel production sectors. It is also used in switches and batteries, because of its good conductivity, and as a coating for mirrors, because of its high reflectivity.
Investment coins: Besides physical silver in bars and jewellery, silver is popular in investment coins such as the Silver Maple Leaf and Australian Kangaroo coins. These coins are made of purer silver than jewellery, for example.  
Want to know more about silver and the possibilities of investing in this precious metal? Read more in our knowledge centre or contact us.