Silver is a type of transition metal that has been known and utilized since ancient times. It is an important precious metal. Silver exists as a elemental element in nature, but the vast majority of it exists in the form of a compound in silver ore. Silver has relatively stable physical and chemical properties, good thermal and electrical conductivity, soft texture, and high ductility. Its reflectivity can reach over 99%, and it has many important uses. Natural silver is mostly alloy with gold, mercury, antimony, copper or platinum, and natural gold is almost always alloy with a small amount of silver. The amber gold known in ancient China, also known as ELECTRUM in English, is a natural alloy of gold and silver, containing about 20% silver.
Silver has an attractive white luster, high chemical stability, and collection value, making it highly favored by people. Therefore, it is known as the "metal of women" and is widely used in jewelry, decoration, silverware, tableware, congratulatory gifts, medals, and commemorative coins. Silver jewelry has a vast market in developing countries, and silver meals are popular among families. Silver commemorative coins are exquisitely designed, have a small circulation, and have the function of preserving and increasing value, making them highly favored by coin collectors and investors. In the 1990s, the amount of silver used for coinage alone remained around 1000-1500 tons per year, accounting for about 5% of silver consumption.
