Silver History and Information
The 300 or so silver mines in the world use both underground and open-pit mining. Of these mines, very few are producers of pure silver. Rather, most Silver (80%) is produced as a bi-product of other ores such as copper, lead, gold, uranium and zinc. The deposits in CobaltOntario Canada, the former Soviet Union, the U.S., and Mexico account for more than 80% of the world’s Silver resources. Along with Peru and Australia, these countries make up the world’s six leading producers of Silver. In Australia silver is a major bi-product of the uranium-copper-gold mine at Olympic Dam, the Broken Hill, New South Wales is another silver mine.
England-Cornwall and Devon, Durham-For centuries, this area was one of the world’s leading mineral sources (Silver included). However, deposits are nearly completely depleted.
Cobalt, Ontario The silver capital of Canada -The silver cobalt veins in this area have produced more than 400 million ounces before shutting down in the late 1980s when the process became unprofitable. Kidd Creek mine in Timmins, Silver is a significant bi-product of this lead/zinc mine. British Columbia-The Eskay Creek mine is the largest producer of silver in North America. Sullivan Mine, Kimberly, British Columbia-This lead and zinc mine produces Silver as a bi-product.
Mexico-The great Mexican mining corridor–Silver is among the many minerals taken from this region. The Mexican mining company Penoles brings nearly 36.8 million ounces of Silver (10% of the world’s total) to market annually from their 10 operations.
The United States-IDAHO-Coeur d'Alene-In its long history, this area has become the world’s largest producer of Silver and has yielded more than one billion ounces since the 1880s from its legendary mines: Lucky Friday, Hecla, Galena, and Sunshine.UTAH-Bingham. Utah’s silver production comes as a bi-product of Bingham’s copper mines. ALASKA- lead, zinc mines the Red Dog mine in Alaska.
Czech Republic-Pribram-This area is one of Europe’s leading producers of minerals, including Silver.
Central and South America-Santa Cruz-Vanguardia Gold and Silver mining operations began in the late 1990s. Chile and Peru-Companies extract Silver as a bi-product of their copper porphyry mining operations. Peru-Pierina Mine-A new discovery of an epithermal gold-silver system near the Pierina Mine is expected elevate this area to become one of the largest Silver-producing regions in the world. Chile-Pascua Mine-Scheduled to begin mining in 2002, this open-pit mining operation contains mineral reserves of 23.7 million ounces of Gold and 560 million ounces of Silver.
The Beginning (3,000 BC)
Silver jewelry was found in modern day burial excavations of the ancient Sumerian city of Ur. The first major sources of mined Silver were the mines around Anatolia, which is in the area of modern day Turkey and they originate from this time. The Chaldeans were the first culture to extract Silver from other ores around 2500 BC.
1,000 BC
The cultures of South and North America were using advanced silversmithing techniques. 
900 BC
Beginning around this time, the Larium mines near Athens were the leading Silver-producing mines for the next 1,000 years.
200 BC
Chinese immigrants in Korea brought their silversmithing techniques to Korea. From Korea, Silver use spread to Japan, but never really caught on there.
Rome
The Romans used Silver in Coins and Household items.
1st Century AD
The Indus culture of India produced Silver drinking vessels similar to Hellenistic types.
600 AD
Silverwork became very important in China during the T’ang dynasty, which lasted from 618-907 AD. Before this time, Silver was very rare in China.
900 AD
Fine Silver techniques are said to have reached the Oaxaca region of Mexico during this period.
1,000 AD
The Repoussé technique became common during China’s Sung Dynasty. Spanish mines began to be important sources of Silver around this time, as well as those in Eastern Europe (Germany and Austria-Hungary and others).
16th Century
The Spanish who conquered the Mexican, Panamanian, the Andean and Costa Rican Indians in the new world during this century found that the skills of the Silversmiths were comparable to their own in their level of technique and artistry. European exploitation of New World Silver began in Bolivia and Bolivia, Peru and Mexico grew to produce nearly 85 percent of the world’s Silver between 1500 and 1800.
17th century
Native American tribes in New York (the Seneca, Iroquois, Cayuga and the Onondaga) began turning European Silver coins into jewelry at the beginning of the 17th century. India’s production of Silver vessels for royalty increased. They had mastered the Gold and Silver techniques of cold hammering, embossing, annealing, false filigree and false granulation.
18th century
Chinese use of Silver became extensive.
19th century 
Silver Jewelry became more affordable because of advances in technology. Electroplating was invented. Tiffany and Company began producing Silverware in New York in the mid 1850s. The Navajo tribes of the American Southwest began working Silver (learned from Mexican artists) around the same time as well and had passed their skills onto the Zuni tribes by the 1870s. In England, Queen Victoria’s fancies dictated fashion in almost every aspect. She started the revival of ancient Celtic motifs in jewelry design that began in the middle of the century and at the end of the 19th Century, she started the aesthetic period that lasted until her death in 1901. During the Aesthetic period, fashions in Silver jewelry began to move away from the mass produced pieces that were prevalent at the beginning of the industrial revolution. Japanese royalty began wearing Shibuichi jewelry during this period. Nevada’s Virginia City enjoyed the boom days of the Comstock Lode in the 1860s and 1870s, during which the mine produced millions of dollars worth of Silver. The Mayflower Silver mine in Nevada was discovered in the 1890s.
20th Century
Major discoveries of Silver were made in Cobalt Ontario Canada and in the US included Nevada, Colorado and Utah. The modern center of fine Silverwork is the city of Taxco in Mexico. William Spratling, an American, revived it there and began training Silversmiths in 1931. Along with the jewelers of the Aesthetic period, the craftsman of the Arts & Crafts Movement (1894-1923) also rebelled against the mass produced jewelry that dominated the time. Silver was their metal of choice and they combined it with uncut stones and cabochons. The quality of most of the pieces from this movement was low, because for the most part, jewelry makers from this period were untrained novices. The best jewelry of the Arts & Crafts Movement came from C.R. Ashbee, Henry Wilson, and Harold Stabler, Liberty & Co., Charles Horner's, and Murrle, Bennett & Co. Coinciding with the Arts & Crafts Movement, the Art Nouveau period (1890-1915) drew design inspiration from the new cultures encountered during the period’s colonialism. Louis Comfort Tiffany was one of the best known Art Nouveau Jewelry designers. During the Retro Period 1935-1949, Silver became less available to jewelers because of the war in Europe and as the period began to close, American jewelers began to become more popular because of the rising dominance of American pop culture. In 1963, the US stopped issuing silver certificates, which up until then had supported the paper currency and by 1968, the Silver certificates were no longer redeemable for Silver. Silver use in coins had also decreased significantly by this time.
For those involved with crystal healing, vibrations, chakra, numerology, spiritualism, psychic, supernatural, the New Age and astrological signs, mother of pearl, gemstones, gems, minerals and birthstones, such as Silver, are often associated and assigned to months, astrological and other conventional signs, but it seems that within these associations there can be confusion as to which source is correct. In this page you will find various signs and symbols to which Silver relates.
Planetary Astrology
In planetary astrology, silver represents the Earth’s moon. The moon symbolizes the feminine nature of energy, which is more passive and less assertive.
Vedic Astrology
In Vedic astrology, silver is represented by Venus and is the metal for Taurus and Libra birthsigns.
Numerology
Numerology: 4.
Western Astrology
In Western astrology associates Silver with Cancer and Aquarius.
Elementals
Water Elemental.
Anniversaries
Silver gifts are symbolic of the 25th wedding anniversary.
New Age
According to crystal healers and New Age believers, crystal and gem healing is an art and practice, done on a metaphysical level, that is being rediscovered because of the power of the earth's energies that have been absorbed by these sacred objects that, in turn, inherit vital healing powers used to heal many types of ailments. They believe that crystals have physical, spiritual, spirit, crystal energy, tranquility, spiritual awareness, zodiac, powers that can be used for Eastern Medicine treatment of everything from pain, stress, depression, therapy and feeling in the Mind, Spirit and Body. This healing section will provide information on Chakra healing, Psychic healing, Eastern Medicine, purification rituals, of Vedic Astrologers and followers of Atlantis Religion and the occult, paranormal, aromatherapy, metaphysics, and ESP.
Medical Science
Medical uses for Silver include dentistry and surgical implants. Its malleability and conductive characteristics make it ideal for these purposes.
Alternative Physical Healing
New Age healers have taken Silver’s conductive abilities and translated that into the belief that it can conduct the body’s energy. They believe it can remove negative energy from the body and channel the positive energy of other minerals into the patient. The minerals they use with Silver include Turquoise, Agate, Jet, Moonstone and Lodestone or cooler-colored gems. Lodestone set in silver is said to aid in eyesight. In general, Silver is believed to benefit circulation, help lungs and throat, and detoxify the blood, to aid in the treatment of degenerative brain diseases, balancing of hormones and chemicals and improvement of nerve impulse transmission. They also use it for treating hepatitis and detoxifying the body.
Mental Healing
Healers recommend Silver for hormonal and/or chemical imbalances and improving the transmission of nerve impulses, all of which can affect the patient’s mental state. They also ascribe powers for improving communications, reducing conflicts and increasing popularity, transforming energies and negativity and cleansing/balancing emotions.
Chakras
Third-Eye or Brow Chakra.
This site contains information on the Physical Properties and Chemical Composition of Minerals, gemstones, crystals, precious metals, and sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks for crystallography, geology, identification of minerals, Jewelry and mineralogy. This includes cleavage, description of crystal formations, crystal structure, hardness, specific gravity, Mohs’ Scale, crystal features and crystal habits for identification and classification purposes.
Description
One of eight precious metals in the coinage metal family, Silver (Native Silver elemental symbol: Ag) has a color that is metallic, and silver-white. It is the most lustrous metal on Earth and is behind only Gold in malleability and ductility. Exposure to Oxygen produces Silver Oxide that turns the specimen to a dark gray or black. Native Silver’s crystal habit is rare and usually manifests in intriguing wire structures.
Physical Properties: 
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Jagged
Streak: Silver White
Hardness: 2.5-3
Specific Gravity: 10-12
Best Field Indicators: Color, Tarnish, Ductility and Crystal Habit
Weighing and Measuring:
The system for measuring Silver, as well as Gold and Platinum, is Troy weight. A standard Pound is equivalent to 14.58 Troy Ounces, while 1 Troy Pound is only 12 Troy Ounces.
Uses
Silver is one of the most useful metals and has uses in decorative arts, industry and photography. It is the world’s best conductor of electricity and heat and is used to make coins and bullion, jewelry silverware, photographic film. The typical concentration of Silver used in coins is 90% with the other 10% being Copper for added strength. Dentistry mistures and electrical contacts use Silver alloys and photographic emulsions contain Silver Halides that are sensitive to light.
Sources
Native Silver is very rare. Therefore, most new Silver supplies rely on ores such as argentine, cerargyrite, and stephanite or it is obtained as a bi-product of lead zinc, copper and gold ores. Scientists estimate the world’s extractable resources of silver at current demand to be about 20 years of supply.
Cleaning Silver
Cleaning-Most Silver can be cleaned with warm soapy water. However, never use a cleaner that contains Ammonia, which will turn Silver black. Should this occur, Vinegar will reverse the effects of Ammonia. There are also commercial cleaners available but should be used with caution; always read the label. Do not put Silver in your dishwasher.
Storage-Keep Silver away from light, air or dampness.
Electroplate-The process of coating a less expensive metal with a more expensive metal using electricity, which allows for very thin coats.
Electrum-An amber-colored alloy of gold and silver.
Nickel Silver or German Silver –A mixture of nickel, copper and zinc that resembles silver and was used beginning in the 1700s in Silver-plated items.
Alloys of Silver
Silver 800-An alloy of 80% Silver and 20% alloy used in casting because of its increased strength. Sterling-Sterling silver is 92.5% Silver and 7.25% Copper. Sterling Silver is popular for use in Jewelry because of its characteristics of light color, strength and malleability. Usually marked “Sterling,” “925,” “STR” or “SS.”
Vermeil-Gold plated Silver used in the eighteenth century.
Mythologies
The ancient mythology beliefs, crystal mythology, and references to crystals, minerals, metals, semi-precious stones and rocks in Greek, Roman, Native American, and Egyptian Mythology are many. There are also Mineral Legends, mining folklore, heroes in mining, myths about jewelry, stories of buried treasure, Vedic Myths, and more. We have gathered the best legends, mythological references and rock folklore in this section of JewelrySupplier.com. Silver has shown up in varying degrees of emphasis in most of the world’s mythologies.
Ancient Egypt
Egyptian myths refer to silver artifacts, coins and amulets and ascribe different powers and significance.
Greek and Roman Myths
The Silver Age was the second age of the Olympians; the Golden Age was the first. They considered this a less noble age. In the Silver Age, man began to develop civilization. Other references to silver include: Apollo’s Silver bow and the doors of his palace on Mount Olympus, whose doors were Silver, and his sister Artemis’ silver arrows; the Silver columns that held up the grotto where the river Styx was; and in many minor references such as the Silver string used to tie the Ulysses’ leather bag where he kept the winds.
Norse Mythology
Asgard is the home of the Norse gods. This magical place, accessible only by crossing the Rainbow Bridge, is full of the Gold and Silver palaces of the gods.
Celtic Mythology,
Nuada of the Silver Hand was a man who lost his hand in battle, then received a silver hand from the Dian Cecht, the Irish god of healing.
For those who follow the Wicca, New Age or believe in the Spirit World, Crystals, Minerals, Rocks, Semi-Precious Stones and metals can have powers for Astral Travel, Aura Cleansing, Channeling, Cosmic Awareness, Crystal Healing, ESP, Meditation, Psychic Communication, Psychic Energy and Transcendental Meditation. They also believe a mineral can have crystal magic that gives it the ability to connect to spirits, spirit guides, spiritual energy and help with channeling spirits and increase cosmic awareness.
Silver has been used in religious rituals for thousands of years.
Christianity
Christian legend states that Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus for 30 Silver coins. The relics of Saints were often made with Silver. Rosaries and crosses have also been made from Silver throughout Christian history. Roman Catholic, Anglican and Lutheran Chalices must be made of Gold, Silver or Vermeil for their rites.
Buddhism
The ritual objects of this religion were sometimes made of silver, including amulets and jewelry set with turquoises, carnelian, and lapis lazuli. They often made vessels shaped like lotus flowers and embossed with intricate floral and figurative designs. Buddhist Manalas were often carved on Silver plates and Silver urns were sometimes used in cremation rituals.
Ancient Egypt
Certain purification rites of the Ancient Egyptians prescribed basins of Silver.
Judaism
Silver trumpets were used in the sacrificial rites of the Hebrews.
The New Age
New age rituals use Silver as a conductor of spiritual energy, as well as to conduct the powers of other minerals into the body. Some Gemstones, gems, crystals and minerals have been believed to be a sleep aide, to have an effect on dreams, sleeping, dreaming, insomnia, sleeplessness, nightmares, foretelling, rest, resting, psychic development, consciousness and mental energy. Others have been said to work in the unconscious mind and the spiritual plane and seem to bring mental, ESP, emotional, physical, sleep transition, soothing to the spirit and can sometimes stop sleep disorders such as Sleep Apnea, snoring, tossing and turning, stress relief, energy, disturbed sleep or sleep walking. There are few beliefs surrounding Silver associated with Sleep or Dreaming.
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