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Silver History Basics

Silver History Basics

After the discovery of the New World there was a major increase in silver production. There were major silver mines in Mexico, Bolivia and Peru. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries there were improvements in the mining of silver which accelerated the exploitation of silver. It is believed that Turkey was the first major source of mined silver and provided silver to craftsman throughout Asia Minor. The Chaldeans in about 2500 BC were credited with developing the sophisticated process of mining silver ore. They used a “cupellation” process to extract silver from lead-silver ores.

There were significant improvements in technology after the New World was discovered. The Spanish produced Mexican silver beginning in the early 1500’s. During the time between the 1500’s and the 1800’s Bolivia, Peru, and Mexico accounted for over 85% of the world’s production and trade of silver. After 1850 several other countries saw an increase in silver production. In the United States the Comstock Lode in Nevada was discovered.

During the period of 1876 to 1920 there was an explosion in both innovative technology and discovery of new regions worldwide. Most of the major new discoveries were made in the United States. These included new silver mines in Nevada, Colorado and Utah. There were also discoveries in Australia, Central America and Europe.
The new technology used included steam assisted drilling, mining, and improved hauling processes. These improvements increased the ability to handle ore and allowed for mining larger volumes of ore that contained silver. The modern era which started in 1921 brought many advancements that allowed for increased production of silver worldwide. Some of these advancements included, bulk mining methods which were both at the surface and underground deep in the mines. There were new improvements in extraction techniques and in ore separation.
Silver has always been in high demand because of its unique properties. It is used for decoration, photography, jewelry and silverware. It is also used in industrial applications. Silver is strong, malleable, and ductile and has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. It is able to endure extreme temperature ranges.

Silver has always been traditionally used for coins, photography, jewelry and silverware and table settings. Silver is also used in industrial products, including batteries, bearing, catalysts and electronics. It is also used in soldering and brazing.

Besides being used in the traditional areas, silver is now being used for other purposes as well. In the medical field silver is being used because of its antibacterial powers. It is being used in silver imbedded bandages for burn and wound victims. They have been shown to resist infection and to also speed up the healing process.

Silver is also playing an important role in solar energy. Silver paste is used in about 90 percent of the most common type of solar cells. Silver is also used to generate electricity by reflecting and concentrating solar energy onto collectors.

Silver is also being used in water purification systems in hospitals, small water systems, pools and spas. This is because silver ions prevent bacteria and algae buildup. The major benefit of using silver is it replaces harsh chemicals such as chlorine and bromine. Silver is also becoming popular in personal water purification devices.

Silver has many uses in today’s society, it is not just used in jewelry and decorative items it has an important role in many other areas.

Tags: About Silver, Precious Metals, Silver, Silver History

Platinum’s History Basics

Platinum’s History Basics

Platinum is a rare precious metal that is used in jewelry, wire and important devices and instruments. Platinum is also used for electrical contacts in dentistry. Since Platinum is rarer and more expensive than gold it has an irresistible appeal all its own. It is a perfect match for diamonds and is the preferred precious metal for engagement rings and wedding ring sets.

Platinum was highly regarded by Ancient Egyptians and Pre Columbians. Its name comes from the Spanish platina which means “little silver.” A Swedish researcher in 1751 named Sheffer was successful in melting platinum by adding arsenic to it. He was also the one who recognized platinum as a new element. It would be over twenty five years before scientists would figure out how to melt platinum using oxygen. This allowed platinum to be used for commercial purposes.

It was used for decoration of porcelain and for making ornaments and laboratory ware. Columbia was the only source of platinum until 1820. Deposits were found in the Ural Mountains of Russia and this became the principal source of platinum for the next 100 years. In 1888 platinum was discovered in Canada in the nickel and copper mines in Ontario. Canada became the world’s major source of platinum between the end of WWI and the 1950’s.

In the Transvaal province of South Africa, in 1924, a farmer discovered several nuggets of platinum in a riverbed. A geologist used this information and found two deposits in the area. They became known as the Bushveld Igneous Complex and today these mines provide three quarters of the world’s platinum.

Platinum is regarded as a “new” metal but in actuality it dates back to 700 BC. The ancient Egyptians mastered the techniques of processing platinum. It was combined with gold and played a big part in their culture. In the mid eighteenth century Europeans began to hold platinum in high esteem. The legendary jewelers including Faberge and Tiffany have made most of their classic and timeless designs in platinum.

Marc Etienne Janety, who was a Parisian artist and metalworker made some of the earliest decorative works in platinum. Today the only known work of Janety is a glass lined platinum sugar bowl dated from 1786. It can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

The Duchess of Windsor who was an expert and collector of jewelry declared that platinum was the only jewelry choice for evening wear. The world’s most legendary diamonds, including the Jonker I and Hope are secured in platinum. In the early 1900’s platinum was at its peak in popularity and was the preferred metal for all fine jewelry in America. When WWII began the US government declared Platinum a strategic metal. It was prohibited from being used in non-military applications, which included jewelry. At this time white gold was substituted in place of platinum.

Recently platinum has made a comeback and this is partly due to new mines and sophisticated mining processes that have been developed. Platinum will always be the first choice when it comes to making timeless and classic jewelry.

Tags: About Platinum, Platinum, Platinum History, Precious Metals

Gold’s Golden History

Gold’s Golden History

Throughout history gold has played a major role in many different cultures. Gold has many unique properties and is the only yellow metal. It got its name from the Old English word for yellow which was “geolu”. It is also a metal that will never rust or tarnish because no oxide film forms on the surface in air at normal temperatures.

Gold can be alloyed with various other metals to give it a different look. Gold in its pure form has a metallic luster and is sun yellow. When it is mixed with other metals it creates various color hues including silver-white, green, and orange-red. Gold is found in its natural state in quartz veins and also as a free metal. Usually it is always associated with varying amounts of silver.

White gold is a popular choice for jewelry. Gold is mixed with either nickel or palladium to give it the white color. Gold mixed with copper creates pink and rose tones. Greenish shades of gold are created by adding silver to the gold. Purple gold which also is called violet gold is made by mixing gold with aluminum. Blue gold is made using gold and indium.

Gold is used in a wide range of everyday applications because of its distinctive combination of chemicals and physical properties. One main reason it is so widely used is because gold is virtually indestructible. It is the most non reactive of all metals. Gold is an excellent and reliable electrical conductor and can be used in harsh environments.

No other metal can compare to gold as far as being ductile or malleable. A single ounce of gold can be drawn into a wire five miles long. Gold can be hammered into sheets so thin that light can pass through them. It has been widely used by people throughout history for making statues and icons. It has also been used to make art objects and jewelry. Gold has long been considered a symbol of wealth and power.

Gold jewelry is popular internationally and is loved for its lustrous yellow color and because it does not tarnish. About 80 percent of gold production is used to make jewelry. In many Asian countries gold is an important part of their religious ceremonies and social events. Gold is also used in other vital ways.
Gold is used in many electrical devices including computers. It is also used in TV’s, DVD’s, and mobile phones. Gold is also used in medicine and in 1927 it was found to be useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It has also been used in dentistry for fillings and false teeth. Since gold is non toxic and biologically benign it is used in many medical applications. It is used for medical instruments, in lasers and in thin gold wires used during surgery.

Gold is a versatile and precious metal that has been used throughout the years for many purposes. Gold jewelry never goes out of style and is always coveted for its value and for sentimental reasons. Gold has been around for centuries and will still be around and used for centuries to come.

Tags: About Gold, Gold, History of Gold