Silver (Native Silver)
Native Silver · Mineral Specimen / Collector Mineral / Precious Metal
Crystal System
Cubic (Isometric); habit is typically dendritic (arborescent), wire-like (filiform), or massive/hackly as seen in the specimen
Mineral Group
Native Elements
Chemical Formula
Ag (trace elements may include gold, copper, mercury, or antimony)
Formation Process
Primarily Hydrothermal, forming from low to medium temperature fluids in veins or as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of silver-bearing ore deposits
About This Crystal
The specimen exhibits a metallic, dull grey-to-white luster with a characteristic 'hackly' or irregular surface texture. It appears opaque with a heavy, dense form integrated into a rocky matrix of sulphides and carbonates.
Physical Characteristics
Color: Silver-white on fresh surfaces, tarnishing to grey or black; Streak: Silver-white; Cleavage: None; Fracture: Hackly; Specific Gravity: 10.1–11.1; Fluorescence: None; Tenacity: Malleable and sectile
Optical Properties
Opaque (not applicable for refractive index); highly reflective metallic luster on fresh surfaces; non-pleochroic
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Notable sources include Kongsberg (Norway), Freiberg (Germany), Guanajuato (Mexico), and Ontario (Canada); typically found in hydrothermal veins and oxidation zones of ore deposits
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness: 2.5–3.0. Highly malleable (can be bent or hammered); low durability for jewelry without alloy; prone to scratching and tarnishing
Care & Maintenance
Clean with mild soap and water; avoid chemical dips that may strip natural patina from collector specimens. Keep in low-humidity environments to prevent rapid tarnishing (sulfidation). Store separately from harder minerals.
Rarity & Value
Relatively Rare as well-crystallized native specimens. Value is determined by weight, aesthetics of the crystal habit (wires vs mass), and locality. Specimens from classic mines like Kongsberg carry high premiums.
Special Characteristics
Distinguished by its high conductivity and extreme malleability. Often exhibits black tarnish (silver sulfide) due to exposure to atmospheric sulfur.
Lore & History
Used since antiquity (c. 3000 BCE) for currency, ornaments, and mirrors. Historically associated with the Moon in alchemy. In traditional lore, it is believed to enhance intuition and mirror the soul, though these are not scientific claims.