Silver in a natural form is rare, it is usually removed from other minerals.

Chemical Formula: Ag
Class: Native Element
Hardness: 2.5-3
Coloration: silver-white

How to identify it/Unique Characteristics or Properties: Silver has been a valuable element for centuries. Often found alongside copper, lead, zinc, or gold. Silver in a natural form is rare, it is usually removed from other minerals instead of appearing naturally.Native silver can be identified by its silver to white coloration, though it tarnishes to black with exposure to air. Native silver is usually found in spreading branches of silver instead of large solid pieces. In our pictures, it is the white veins and darker streaks (tarnished). The complete black is agatized manganese.

Where to find it in…

The Northwest: N/A
Other: Australia, France, Ireland, Bolivia, Germany, England, Mexico, Norway.
Past Uses: Money and ornamentation, mainly. Also used in electrical boards and photography.
How it was Made: Forms in hydrothermal veins, mainly.
Interesting Facts: Silver can be dissolved quite easily by acids and then brought back out.