Thursday 5 July 2012

10 facts about silver



1. Country Argentina has gained its name in honour of Latin word for silver - “argentum“.

2. Silver has a proven antibacterial effect. Even Aristotle advised Alexander the Great to keep boiled water in silver vessel to prevent from various diseases.

3. In 12 languages of the world the same word is used to name silver and money.

4. Sterling silver (silver 925) doesn‘t come into chemical reaction with the body. That is reason why silver is often used in medicine and jewellery manufacture.

5. In the 19th century in Russia platinum coins of 3, 6 and 12 roubles were made. At that time platinum was worth half of the price of silver.

6. Silver is an excellent conductor and therefore the raw material has a very high value in the electrical industry.

7. In English “silver”, in German “silber” and in Russian “сильвер“ has originated form an ancient Indian word “sarpa“, meaning  Moon and crescent.

8. It was believed in ancient Egypt that silver is a particle of God and therefore no one was allowed to own any piece of silver except for the pharaoh.

9. The largest piece of silver was found in Chile. Its weight was 1420 kg.

10.Silver 999 is a soft material and can be easily scratched with a finger nails, therefore, it is never used in manufacture of jewellery.