History of Silver

Silver has been a valuable metal ever since it was discovered about 4000 BC. It possesses a unique ability to be able to keep up with the current fashions of the times. The uses of silver range widely from uses in currency, film, computers and even as invisible coating on thermal windows. However, todays most notable use of silver is its beauty and appeal as an item of jewelry.

The first major silver mines were recorded around 4000 BC located in Anatolia (which is now Turkey). Around 3000 BC there are records of more intense efforts to mine silver as its value expanded worldwide. The Chinese are said to have improved on refining silver around 2500 BC to make it even more alluring as well as easier to excavate. Throughout the passing years, mines in Greece became the main producers of silver for the rest of the world. This continued for many centuries till Spain came into power with it’s own deposits of silver that brought them power in trading. Spain became a main supplier of silver for most of Europe and used it’s silver to trade for valuable spices and other goods.

Silver began to accelerate around the world when North and particularly South America were discovered. Mexico and Peru had silver mines which dwarfed the silver deposits that had recently been mined to the east. Soon more than three quarters of the silver in the world was mined from Peru and Mexico.

With new technology came new ways to mine silver along with new refinement processes to enhance it’s value to an even greater extent.

Silver has always been known to enhance the beauty of precious stones such as diamonds when they’re set into a ring or necklace. Many powerful men and women throughout the ages would wear magnificent silver jewelry items to show off their power.

The most popular silver today is sterling silver which is actually 92.5% silver. The other make up percentage is either copper, zinc, or nickel. This silver is popular because it’s more durable than pure silver yet still maintains its beauty.