Silver is a very resistant mineral. It does not dissolve in most solutions, and won't react to oxygen or water. Its weak point is its reaction to sulfur and sulfides, which cause it to tarnish. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is found in the atmosphere in small quantities, and when silver is exposed to normal air it reacts to the hydrogen sulfide, causing the tarnish. Egg yolks, which contain large quantities of sulfur dioxide (SO2), as well as sulfur ores, should be kept away from silver. Several chemical coats are available to protect it from tarnish, and certain polishes remove tarnish.

Most silver is extracted from silver ores, but considerable amounts are mined from Native Silver. Silver is one of the best known metals, and for good reason. Silver is the best conductor of electricity, is the second most malleable and ductile metal, is in greater abundance than those metals with similar properties (i.e. gold and platinum), and has intrinsic beauty, and therefore it is very much used industrially and for ornaments.

Silver is largely used as jewelry, ornaments, and coins. It is very easy to work with, and beautiful objects are created from it, such as goblets, candelabras, trays, and cutlery.
In the industrial sector, silver is used for circuits and other electrical apparatuses. It is also used for medicinal purposes, particularly in dentistry, for bactericides, and for antiseptics. In the past, it had been used as the reflective surface for mirrors.
Silver has many of the properties of gold. It is malleable and an exceptional conductor. Since silver is also very soft, it is usually alloyed with copper. In fact, that is what sterling silver is, 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

There are different types of silver based on the content of other metals mixed in to the silver:

 Sterling Silver - Silver at least 92.5% pure
 Britannia Silver - Silver at least 95% pure