Where did silver come from?

Silver is found in pure metal deposits such as horn silver or argentite and can also be obtained together with deposits of ores comprised of copper, lead or gold. Silver has been used by humans for around 5,000 years and is currently used in countless applications.

As of 2014, silver is used in printed circuit boards, solder and electrical contacts because of its great ability to conduct electricity and heat. Because of silver's ability to reflect visible light, it is used in silver mirrors and in the production of jewelry, silverware and decorative items. The element silver is classified as a metal, assigned the atomic number nine on the periodic table of elements and is a solid at room temperature.