Native Silver
Native Silver · Mineral Specimen / Precious Metal
Crystal System
Cubic (Isometric); habit is commonly dendritic, arborescent, or wire-like
Mineral Group
Native Elements
Chemical Formula
Ag
Formation Process
Hydrothermal (low to medium temperature veins) or secondary oxidation zones of silver-bearing deposits
About This Crystal
High metallic luster on fresh surfaces, typically tarnishing to grey or black. This specimen shows white-to-silvery dendritic/arborescent growth patterns embedded in a dark rhombohedral matrix.
Physical Characteristics
Color: Silver-white (fresh) to black (tarnished); Streak: Silver-white; Cleavage: None; Fracture: Hackly; Specific Gravity: 10.1–11.1; Fluorescence: None
Optical Properties
Opaque metal; high reflectivity (highest of all metals); no pleochroism or birefringence
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Kongsberg, Norway; Chihuahua, Mexico; Cobalt, Ontario, Canada; and Keweenaw Peninsula, USA
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness: 2.5–3.0; highly malleable and ductile; low toughness due to softness
Care & Maintenance
Keep in an airtight container or use anti-tarnish strips to prevent oxidation; clean only with specialized silver dips if necessary; avoid abrasive scrubbing
Rarity & Value
Uncommon as native specimens; value determined by aesthetics of dendritic formation; price ranges from $50 to several thousands for museum-quality 'wire' silver
Special Characteristics
Dendritic (branch-like) growth habits; high electrical and thermal conductivity; tarnish-resistant in pure oxygen but reacts to sulfur in the air
Lore & History
Historically used as currency and for photography; culturally associated with the Moon and feminine energy; traditionally believed in lore to enhance intuition and provide protection against 'evil spirits'.