Silver
Species
Rare · Ag
Native metal with the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal. Tarnishes rapidly in the presence of sulfur compounds. Found in hydrothermal veins, often in wire or dendritic forms.
Identity
- Formula
- Ag
- Chemical class
- Native element
- Mineral group
- Copper, Gold
- Also known as
- Native silver, Argentum
- Ore of
- Silver
Crystallography
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Habits
- Massive, Dendritic, Filiform, Cubic
- Fracture
- Hackly
Physical properties
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5
- Density
- 10.5 g/cm³
- Luster
- Metallic
- Colors
- silver-white, gray, black
- Streak
- silver-white
- Transparency
- Opaque
Geology
- Origins
- Hydrothermal
- Host rocks
- Granite, Marble
- Associated minerals
- Acanthite, Chlorargyrite, Gold, Copper
- Found in
- Hydrothermal vein (lode), Porphyry copper deposit
- Geography
- Norway (Kongsberg), Germany (Saxony), Mexico, Canada (Ontario), Chile, USA (Michigan), Australia
Classification
- Rarity
- Rare
- Gem quality
- No
Arcane properties
- Affinity
- Light, Shadow
- Effects
- Warding, Necromancy
- Planar origin
- Material Plane
Sources
- M. Pasero and others, IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, The New IMA List of Minerals, updated September 2026. International Mineralogical Association (CNMNC), 2026.
- Native Silver. Mindat.org (Hudson Institute of Mineralogy).
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Silver. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
- J. W. Anthony, R. A. Bideaux, K. W. Bladh, M. C. Nichols, Diamond. Mineral Data Publishing, Handbook of Mineralogy, 2001.
Browse the Crystal Encyclopedia — MGS Toolbox