The facts
What silver actually is
Mineralogically, silver is silver (native element) — Ag, crystallising in the cubic system.
The colour is caused by metallic reflectance; tarnishes to black acanthite on exposure to sulphur. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer gives nothing, because the material is opaque, and the specific gravity sits near 10.1–11.1; cleavage is none; malleable.
Where silver comes from
The recognised sources are Kongsberg, Norway, Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico, Cobalt, Ontario, Canada and Imiter Mine, Morocco.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How silver is treated
Specimens are routinely cleaned and then lacquered or kept in sealed cases to slow tarnishing; some wire silver on the market is artificially grown or re-attached.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What silver is confused with
The usual confusions are Native bismuth, Dyscrasite and Tarnished base-metal fakes.
Because the material is opaque, refractive index is no help. Specific gravity around 10.1–11.1, hardness of 2.5–3, streak and magnification do the work instead.
What silver is used for
Silver is bought by mineral collecting, jewellery, technical and precision components, heavy industry and metallurgy — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen, by the carat or by the piece.
Durability and care
Hardness 2.5–3; cleavage none; malleable. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
Below about 5.5 a stone will be scratched by ordinary household dust, which is largely quartz. That does not make it unusable — it makes it a pendant, an earring or an object rather than a ring worn every day.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What silver costs
Indicative pricing for silver is Fine Kongsberg wire specimens $1,000–$50,000; ordinary leaf silver a few dollars per gram over spot.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is silver treated, and how?
Specimens are routinely cleaned and then lacquered or kept in sealed cases to slow tarnishing; some wire silver on the market is artificially grown or re-attached.
Where does silver come from?
Kongsberg, Norway, Batopilas, Chihuahua, Mexico, Cobalt, Ontario, Canada and Imiter Mine, Morocco. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is silver hard enough to wear every day?
Not really. At 2.5–3 on the Mohs scale it is softer than the quartz dust in ordinary household dirt, so it scratches with wear. It suits pendants, earrings and objects better than a daily ring.
How much does silver cost?
Indicatively Fine Kongsberg wire specimens $1,000–$50,000; ordinary leaf silver a few dollars per gram over spot. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is silver confused with?
Most often Native bismuth, Dyscrasite and Tarnished base-metal fakes. Since the material is opaque, separation relies on specific gravity near 10.1–11.1, hardness and magnification.
What is silver used for besides jewellery?
mineral collecting, technical and precision components, heavy industry and metallurgy. Each of those trades buys it in a different form and a different unit.
Related stones
Looking for silver?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about silver