In addition, the ingestion of large amounts of silver can have negative effects on the body. It is called a white metal even though it looks grey. In the past, people accumulated their wealth in the form of silver coins; today, they invest in investment-grade silver bullion. Silver also acts like a lubricant to reduce friction between a ball bearing and its housing. It is also used in dental alloys, solder and brazing alloys, electrical contacts and batteries. Silver also symbolizes honor, valor, and accomplishment, which is why many military organizations, employers, clubs, and associations use silver or silver-colored awards to honor individuals for their contributions. For the formation of metallic silver in photographic film, see Photographic printing § Silver mirroring. Recently, it has … Silver rings: Silver, precious and lustrous, makes beautiful, long-lasting jewelry. In modern times silver is also used in dentistry, electronics, photography, mirrors and in a number of industrial applications that make use of its unique properties. Electronics demand silver of the highest purity: 99.99% pure, also known as having a fineness of 999.9. Silver-copper ions can even replace corrosive chlorine to sanitize pools and tanks. Silver's unique properties, especially its high thermal and electrical conductivity, its reflectivity, and its antibacterial qualities, make it difficult to replace, like a one-of-a-kind silver ring. Silver has its place in consumer electronics, too. Photography had been one of the primary industrial uses of silver until the recent rise of digital media. Specimen and photo by Arkenstone / www.iRocks.com. Silver has an electrical and thermal conductance that is higher than any other metal. Silver is precious metal that has been used for many years to make fine pieces of jewelry, coins, utensils and various pieces of art. Due in part to its unique property of having the highest thermal and electrical conductivity of all metals, silver is often a must-have over other, less expensive materials. Silver is used in the electronics industry because of its excellent electrical conductivity. Silver's antibacterial properties and non-toxicity to humans make it a great replacement for lead-based bonds between water pipes. This antibiotic property, along with its non-toxicity, has given silver an essential role in medicine for thousands of years. While silver is not toxic, repeat intake of small amounts of silver over time can result in argyria. It was also used to make currency coins in many countries, but since the introduction of fiat money it is not longer used. As a precious metal, silver is rare and valuable, making it a convenient store of wealth. Silver has become a material of innovation that appears in many unexpected places. Information or data included here may have already been overtaken by events – and must be verified elsewhere – should you choose to act on it. Automobiles are full of contacts that control electronic features, and so are consumer appliances. Silver seems to have as many uses as the human imagination can develop. The metal works against bacteria only in ion form — it must lose an electron to become positively charged. Silver bullion is still a popular investment choice today. Silver nitrate is a natural compound that is used as an antiinfective agent. Its high luster and reflectivity make it perfect for jewelry, silverware, and mirrors. It may be used to fill teeth in dentistry as an amalgam. At many galena mines, enough silver can be present in the galena that the value of the silver greatly exceeds the value of the lead that is mined. Most of the world's silver is produced as a by-product of lead mining. Silver is almost completely reflective when polished. This phrase refers not to the silver in the film itself, but to the silver lenticular screen onto which early films were projected. Image copyright iStockphoto / JacobH. The word silver is also used to talk about this color or shade of grey. Because it is the best therm… Manufacturers of colloidal silver often broadly claim that their products are capable of stimulating the immune systemand helping the body heal itself. For your security you will be logged out in   minutes unless you take action. Silver, the white metal, has an illustrious reputation for its use in jewelry and coins, but today, silver's primary use is industrial. Only you can decide the best place for your money, and any decision you make will put your money at risk. These tags are better than bar codes for tracking inventory because they store more information and can be read from a greater distance, even without a direct line of sight. This medication is used with other treatments to help prevent and treat wound infections in patients with serious burns. Silver-zinc batteries offer an alternative to lithium batteries for laptop computers and electric cars. Did You Know? Nanosilver inks and coatings on paper tout their ability to prevent the spread of bacterial infection. High capacity batteries can be made with silver and zinc and silver and cadmium. Whether in cell phones or solar panels, new innovations are constantly emerging to take advantage of silver's unique properties. Uses. These qualities ensure that silver will continue to shine in the industrial arena, while its long history in coinage and jewelry will sustain its status as a symbol of wealth and prestige. Ethylene oxide is used to produce molded plastics, such as plastic handles, and flexible plastics, such as polyester. Because it is the best thermal and electrical conductor of all the metals, silver is ideal for electrical applications. 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