Silver

In latin argentum, from the Indo-European root *arg- for "grey" or "shining", the popular metal takes its name from his white and shining color. Its chemical symbol is AG, and it is the best heat and electricity conductor among metals. When shined, its boasts an intense metallic shine, as well as the biggest reflective capacity of any metal, and is thus used in the manufacturing of mirrors. It does not suffer of intense oxidation while in contact with air or water, except for a slight surface oxidation, due to the creation of a thin layer of silver sulfide, Ag2S. This oxidation occurs when silver enters in contact with sulfur (e.g. SO2), which exists in the atmosphere. In rare occasions, pure silver can be encountered in nature, but the biggest quantities are found in mineral deposits, where silver exists in alloy with other chemical elements or minerals. In ancient Greece, silver was the metal from which coins where made, as well as the base for any economic calculation and trade, in the same way as gold in more contemporary ages. During the classical period, the Athenians had silver mines in every parts of the then known world. The biggest ones where found in Lavrio, and were considered the base of the economic power of Athens. Coins of silver were also made and used by the inhabitants of Lydia, in Asia Minor, since 700 B.C., as well as in many other civilizations and nations thorough history. It is not a coincidence that in over 14 languages, the word silver “argent” and “money” coincide. In Greek, argyria means money, and many words used until today have the same origin. Today 33% of the production of silver is used in the crafting of jewelry, and 3% in the production of coins and medals. The rest is used in different industries. Most of the silver is produced in Peru and Mexico. Pure silver is never used for the creation of jewelry, since craftsmen use alloys that have improved properties. The most common form is an alloy which contains 925 parts of pure silver in1000 parts of alloy. Silver has also been used thorough history as a medical element. From the time of Hippocrates, and until the middle of the past century and the discovery of antibiotics, an important part of medicinal concoctions made by humans contained minerals or oxides of silver. In many folkloric traditions, silver is connected to the moon, and thus to the feminine side of things and elements, the most sentimental, enigmatic and magical aspect of things. Ornaments made of silver as well as decorative and useful recipients were used thorough every historical period. During the Ottoman reign and more recently in Greece, jewels and ecclesiastical ornaments and utensils were made almost exclusively in silver. {gallery}material_silver{/gallery}