| When we think of silver, the first thing that | | | | energy's use of silver paste in crystalline silicon |
| comes to mind is sterling silver jewelry. Yet, the | | | | photovoltaic cells. Still, over 250 million ounces of |
| history of silver and the uses for silver are rich | | | | silver are used each year to make silverware and |
| and varied. According to The Silver Institute, a | | | | silver jewelry. Your silver chain, silver bracelet, |
| worldwide association of silver miners, refiners, | | | | locket, silver earring, and wedding ring are all part |
| fabricators, and manufacturers, the area today | | | | of a rich history of silver. |
| known as Turkey was the first location where | | | | Sterling silver jewelry comes in a variety of |
| silver was mined. That was around 4000 B.C. | | | | forms. One of the most popular uses of sterling |
| Around 1200 B.C., the center of silver mining | | | | silver jewelry is in silver chain. Silver chain is made |
| moved to an area near Athens. According to The | | | | in a number of different styles, including curb, |
| Silver Institute, during the height of production, | | | | cable, figaro, rope, box, snake, and herringbone. |
| the mines near Athens produced about one million | | | | Some artisans use custom styling and may make |
| troy ounces each year. | | | | silver chain in shapes like the rolled anchor, figure |
| Over the first millennium A.D., Spain became a | | | | eight, alternating short- and long-link, diamond cut, |
| prominent producer of silver, which was vital to | | | | and double rope. Silver chain provides the perfect |
| the Asian spice trade. From 1500 through 1800 | | | | backdrop for a locket or charm bracelet. A simple |
| A.D., Peru, Mexico, and Bolivia produced most of | | | | sterling silver necklace, bracelet, or ankle bracelet |
| the world's silver. In the late 1800s and early | | | | can also be worn on its own for understated |
| 1900s, the discovery of silver deposits in Nevada, | | | | elegance. |
| Colorado, and Utah caused production to explode. | | | | The craftsmanship of sterling silver jewelry is |
| According to the Silver Institute, "Production over | | | | apparent in the glint of a silver earring or the |
| the last quarter of the 19th century quadrupled | | | | selection of a once in a lifetime wedding band. |
| over the average of the first 75 years to a total | | | | Used as the setting for any number of pieces, |
| of nearly 120 million troy ounces annually." | | | | today's most popular sterling silver jewelry items |
| Today, the vast majority of silver is used in | | | | include Celtic designs, pentagram and pentacle |
| industrial applications ranging from the medical use | | | | designs, handcrafted glass bead designs, and Bali |
| of silver sulfadiazine to treat burn victims to solar | | | | designs. |