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Download hereGENERAL DESCRIPTION
Native silver is a mineral made up quasi-exclusively with silver. It is formed in polymetallic hydrothermal veins, in particular in the cementation zones (where the ground water stagnates and contributes to the formation of this mineral).
Recent studies have showed that native silver is also the principal form of silver in galena (PbS), the principal silver ore. Thus, if microscopic native silver is relatively frequent in lead and zinc deposits, it is rare to collect macroscopic amounts of this mineral. Native silver is gray-silver in colour.
It generally forms ramified and dendritic aggregates, arborescent filaments, sometimes very spectacular. Alas, these arboresences are also easily falsifiable ("improved") or even synthesized within clandestine laboratories. Although rare, the crystals are cubic or octahedric. Masses of native silver can be considerable in size: one has found a native silver sample close to 500 kg at Kongsberg in Norway and in Sainte Marie-aux-Mines (Alsace, France) during XVIth century. About 1477-1478, a mass of 4000 kg (the "Silbertisch" i.e. the silver table) was extracted from the Schneeberg mines in Germany.
The best-known deposits are the Kongsberg mine in Norway, the district of Freiberg in Germany and the province of Potosi in Bolivia. In France, there are many deposits but those that retain attention are those of Sainte Marie-aux-Mines (Alsace), the mine of Chalanches (in the Alps) or Huelgoat (Brittany). It is malleable, ductile, and heavy; it is good thermal and electrical conductor.
The type of this species and its location are not definable because this species is well-known since the Antiquity.
Did you know? It is still used in photography, for silverwares, in jewellery, electric industry and in the making of mirrors.
HISTORY : Name inspired from the Greek word "αργυροσ" [arguros] that means bright. The chemical symbol Ag provient du terme Latin "argentum". The English "silver" is from the old anglo-saxon "seolfor"
Species known since the Antiquity
Type-locality: undefined because species already known from the Ancients
CHEMICAL FORMULA : Ag
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Cubic
COLOR : Silvery white, dark gray to black
DIAPHANIETY : Opaque
LUSTER : Metallic
STREAK : White silvery
MORPHOLOGIE : Cubic crystals, octahedra, as arborescent filaments
HARDNESS : 2,5-3,0
CHEMICAL CLASS: 10,497
DENSITY : I - Elements
GROUP : Copper
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 1/A.01-20
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 1.AA.05
