A precious metal composed of the chemical element silver (Ag), it has a pure white color and a strong metallic luster. It is chemically stable, but it easily combines with sulfur to form silver sulfide, which can cause the surface of silverware to darken and discolor. Its relative density is 10.49. Its hardness is 2.5-3. Its melting point is 961.93°C. It is highly ductile (second only to gold) and a good conductor of heat and electricity. Silver is a commonly used metal in the jewelry industry, but because it is too soft, it is often adulterated with other elements (such as copper, zinc, and nickel). Standard silver has a silver content of 92.5%. In modern times, due to its tendency to darken and lose its luster, and its significantly lower value than gold and platinum, silver is often used in inexpensive jewelry. Silver also has a wide range of industrial applications, such as its excellent conductivity in electronic components and instruments for various precision instruments.
925 sterling silver is the international standard for silver jewelry. [Note: The following appears to be a separate, unrelated fragment:] Silver jewelry is generally stamped with the abbreviation "Sterling" ("S" or "Sterling"). Sterling silver is stamped S925. Fine silver is stamped S990. However, many countries do not stamp silver jewelry with this mark.
Other white precious metal stamps:
Platinum, marked Pt (Pt850/900/950/990/999).
Platinum: White gold, primarily composed of gold.
Silver: Chemical symbol Ag (from the Latin Argentum, Arg- is an Indo-European root representing gray and shimmer). Atomic number 47, it is a transition metal. Silver occurs in very small amounts in its free form in nature, primarily as silver compound ores. Silver is chemically stable, has low reactivity, and is expensive. However, it has excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, is not easily corroded by chemicals, and is soft and ductile.
