Where Does Silver Come From?

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

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

It was produced through such a process, but discoverers also found large veins of the white metal in South America when it was conquered by the Spanish, indicating 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 claimed that fine particles of the metal can be widely used in 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 that adding metal to medicine, which no longer worked, helped make the medicine work again.

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

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

The dealers and store owners mostly advise people interested in collecting the metal to have a different approach where they can get items with the view of owning purely historical relevance or for aesthetic points.

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

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