Sign In or Create Account

Knowledge Center

Is Silver a Metal?

Learn About Whether Silver is a Metal or Something Else

 

Metals are defined as elements that are conductors of heat, are malleable (that is, able to be hammered or cured into various shapes and sizes) and are ductile. With that definition in mind, is Silver a metal? All of those properties fit Silver, classifying it as a solid metal. Silver is considered by many the world’s most abundant metal. Many elements found within the periodic table are metals, while others are defined as non-metals or metalloids, elements that have features of both metal and non-metal.

THE WORLD’S MOST ABUNDANT METAL

Of all the metals in the world, Silver has the highest level of electrical conductivity and reflectivity. It is also one of very few elements and metals that appear both in its natural form and as an alloy with other metals. Silver can be found in virtually all parts of the globe. For years, metal was defined as a substance that can be shaped into items, but that definition fails to incorporate the chemistry involved that truly makes a metal a metal. Without the conductivity features of metal, the definition of any “substance that can be shaped” falls apart. The conductivity parts of Silver make it a unique element and one that has been highly coveted all over the world.

SILVER AS A COMMODITY AND CURRENCY

For more than 4,000 years, Silver has been used as currency and trading pieces. That trend continues today because Silver contains an intrinsic value. This Precious Metal is more abundant than Gold and is diverse because it can be found in its natural form or as an alloy with other metals. This property provides flexibility as to what Silver can do, such as being shaped to form coins and bars.

Expand your collection today and shop our assortment of Silver bullion.

Explore More On APMEX

Silver

Platinum

Rare Coins