Silver – noble metal

The name argentum is derived from the Sanskrit word “argent”, which means “light”. Interestingly, in ancient Russia, the measure of the value of various items was bars of silver.
From silver they get the finest silver plates suitable for various kinds of artistic, medical and other purposes.
The main deposits of this precious metal are in Mexico, the United States (Colorado, Michigan), Peru, Canada, Australia (New South Wales), Bolivia and Russia.
Silver brings clarity of thought and calms the spirit. The white color of silver neutralizes any kind of negative energy.
From time immemorial this metal was associated with the Moon and water. Silver is well suited to those who suffer from depressive states and obsessive ideas. This metal helps to open up new thoughts and ideas, to accept the surrounding reality and adapt to it.

Even in ancient times it was considered a talisman that protects against evil spirits. It is not surprising that amulets were made of this noble metal. At all times it was believed that silver brings happiness and gives peace and tranquility. And what could be more valuable than peace and tranquility?
Unlike gold, which is associated with the Sun and is considered a male metal, silver is a lunar metal, symbolizing the feminine. Moreover, if gold is called the metal of the gods, then silver personifies the mother goddess, the ancestor of all things. Despite the fact that at all times silver was the white shade of gold, it was always incredibly valued and enjoyed significant demand.
Silver was the second metal after gold that the alchemists sought to synthesize. They failed to achieve their goal, but, just as the “gold of the alchemists” was created, the “silver of the alchemists” appeared.
In many countries there was such a custom: the bride received a golden ring that protected her from the evil spirits, and the man got a silver ring, reminiscent of the fragility and tenderness of his chosen one.
The drawback of silver is that it darkens in the air and is covered with a patina. That’s why decorations become dull and lose their attractiveness. However, a dark patina can be easily removed.
Silver has a high reflectivity, reaching 90%. For this reason, polished silver has been used as a mirror from time immemorial. The oldest of these mirrors is about 5 thousand years old. Today, silver is used for the manufacture of optical mirrors.

15th century. The fork prongs later.

This metal kills microorganisms and is used as a disinfectant, mainly for disinfecting water. Silver protects against infectious diseases and prevents gastric and lung diseases. This metal strengthens the heart, improves eyesight, helps with urological diseases. It is believed that a person wearing silver jewelry controls the emotions well.
Although silver became known after gold, silver jewelry was found in Egypt, dating back to 5000-3400 BC. Buttons made from this metal, found in Iran, appeared in 4800-4500 BC. A silver ring made at the end of the fifth millennium BC was found in Turkey. The throne of Tutankhamen was decorated with silver foil, and until the middle of the second millennium BC silver in Egypt was a great rarity, valued more than gold, and people called it “white gold.”
European nations met with silver around 1000 BC.
The largest nugget of silver was found in Chile. It weighed 1420 kg!
Silver is not just a metal, but a trace element that is very important for any living organism.
Argentina is named after the Latin name for silver (Argentum).
Another metal is named after silver. It was discovered later, but today it is considered no less valuable. Its name may sound like “little silver” in Spanish and we know this metal as platinum.