Silver is a rare, precious metal that has been valued and used for thousands of years. It is found in its pure, native state as wires, sheets, or irregularly shaped nuggets.
It is also often found in compounds with other metals and elements such as gold, argentite (Silver Sulfide (Ag₂S)), and chloraragyrite (silver chloride(AgCl)).
Most silver is produced as a by-product of copper, lead, and zinc refining.
It has many uses, such as:
- Currency: electrum (a silver/gold alloy) was used to produce money around 700BC
- Jewellery: because this metal is so malleable and ductile, it can easily be stretched and shaped to make jewellery. The most common use of silver in this industry is sterling silver which is 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper
- Solar energy: used for the reflective surface in solar panels
- Water purification: the silver prevents algae and bacteria from building up in purification filters
- Dentistry: silver is alloyed with mercury at room temperature to produce an amalgam commonly used for dental fillings
- Photography: used in the form of silver nitrate and silver halides
- Electronics: used because of its malleability, ductility, and high conductivity
- Biology: silver stains are used to increase the contrast and visibility of cells and organelles in microscopy
- Medicine: used to prevent infection and bacteria
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Colour: silver/white
Lustre: metallic
Hardness: 2.5 – 3
Chemical Composition: Ag (derived from the Latin word for silver: Argentum)
HEALING PROPERTIES
- Embodies the power of the moon
- Eases the flow of energy in the body
- Prevents infections
- Improves fertility
- Aids mental balance
- Soothing
- Reduces inflammation and fever
- Aids circulation
- Detoxes
- Helps with problems of the lung and throat
- Aids in the treatment of degenerative brain diseases
- Is a conductor for the healing powers of other gemstones
CHAKRA
Brow chakra (centre of forehead)