Silver in its pure state is a very soft, malleable metal. It is only slightly harder than gold. It has been known since antiquity, is mentioned in the Book of Genesis, and there is evidence that silver was being separated from lead as early as 3,000 B.C.E. It has been historically second in value only to gold, although in modern times the metals platinum, rhodium and palladium are worth more.
With Europe’s discovery of the New World came the discovery of rich sources of gold and silver. Tradition says that the Spanish conquistador Pizarro had his horse shod with silver horseshoes because of the abundance of silver in Mexico and the scarcity of iron. There were not only gold rushes in The United States in the 19th century, there was also silver rushes. In Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, California and other areas of the western United States and Canada the mining of silver contributed to the influx of settlers and became a vital part of the economy.
Silver has also played a part in folklore, from the Lone Ranger’s ‘calling card’ of a silver bullet, to slaying a werewolf with a weapon or bullet made of silver. But most silver has been used for coins, the decorative arts, flatware, and jewelry.
Silver has been used for coins since ancient Greece, but is seldom used to make coins for everyday commerce today. Commemorative coins are still struck using silver, for collectors and investment purposes. During the Renaissance the displaying of silver objects in private homes and churches reflected the wealth ands prosperity of the owner. This eventually led to the popularity of silver dinner ware. In the middle 19th century silver flatware and other implements of the table made of silver were in high fashion. Artisans have used silver to create body adornments since ancient times, and along with gold remains a popular metal for jewelry.
As pure silver is far too soft to use to make tableware and jewelry, it is usually combined with another metal to create an alloy called sterling silver. The usual alloy of sterling silver consists of 92.5% silver and 7.5% of copper. This alloy is more durable than pure silver, but still retains its workability and value.