Silver Thick, wire-like crystals of silver, on a base of white quartz and calcite crystals. Linked to the moon because of its color, silver is bright but also tarnishes, symbolizing the corruptible side of human nature which needs cleansing. In Europe, a silver spoon is often given to a baby at the time of its christening and symbolizes nurture and life. In medieval times, silver was considered more valuable than gold. This silver brooch is mounted with diamonds, a blue sapphire, and a pearl.
Most silver is produced today as a by-product of lead, copper, and zinc mining.
Silver has been used since ancient times to make coinage and jewelry, because of its pleasing appearance and high reflectivity. Nowadays, however, aluminum is normally used for this purpose. Silver has the highest conductivity for electricity of all the metals, and is widely employed in manufacturing the circuitry of electrical and electronic components. Silver-halide salts are used for developing photographs.