Where Does Silver Come From?

The white metal has a long history of mining dating back to 3000 BC found in Greece and Turkey. Historical facts find that people knew how to refine it where they heated it and blew air over it to process the cupellation.

It does not react with air but the base elements like copper and lead separate during the process. It is like Gold in the way that it was formed through the process of supernovae. Research claims - certain smaller stars produced silver metal when they exploded and larger produced gold on an explosion.

It was produced through such process but discoverers also found large veins of the white metal in South America at the time when it was conquered by the Spanish which indicated that the metal may be found in the earth’s crust.

As per the reports of Silver Institute, more than 80 per cent of the metal was produced globally by Bolivia, Mexico and Peru around the 16th and 17th centuries.

Historically, copper and silver were used to build vessels due to their antimicrobial properties. Recent studies find it is a superior disinfectant for wastewater generated in hospitals.

This research led to the discoveries where it is now being claimed that fine particles of the metal can be widely used in the field of medicine, food processing and water treatment.

The research team found some strains of the E Coli became resistant or sensitive when exposed to silver metal. One of the studies found adding the metal to medicine which was no more working – helped in making the medicine work again.

Several antique tablewares were made in silver, mainly, created due to the properties of keeping food uncontaminated. Today the business of antique continues to grow and it can be found with many passionate British, American and other collectors.

How much is silver worth UK?

Previously the metal was piling up on the long side of the future and options markets. Due to recent geopolitical factors, investors are now looking for the medium term. There are other factors which are supporting investment in the metal like the gains in gold.

Silver metal is used in much industrial process and its supply is already an issue with the electronic industry. In the last decade, it was believed to be a great collectable but after 2008 and 2014 decline, it is considered to be an awful investment by many antique buyers as the prices declined continuously and did not match to the historical gold-silver ratio.

People who are interested in collecting the metal are mostly advised by the dealers and store owners to have a different approach where they can get items with the view of owning purely historical relevance or for aesthetic point.

Those belonging to a certain period and unique ones with different styles or popular styles are considered most suitable. Certain fine silver metal items from the retro period are always in demand. Such items are designers’ pieces, durable and they may even suit the modern lifestyle.

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