Post updated: Oct 9, 2020
Pure 999 silver without impurities is a silvery, almost white metal. Lighter than lead, but heavier than copper, and also harder than gold.
Since ancient times, people have attributed healing and magical properties to silver, and all because the noble metal is famous for its bactericidal properties. Silver ions are destructive to microbes, viruses and bacteria.
It is not without reason that water is blessed with silver in churches, used in medicine in the production of medicines, and in industry for the manufacture of air and water purification filters.
History of 999 silver
Silver, along with copper (mining encyclopedia) and gold, is one of the first metals of civilization. Of all the noble metals, pure silver is the most widely distributed in nature. A significant portion of pure silver is in a native state, as evidenced by its mining around the world.
It is thanks to its sparkling shine that silver received the name “Argentum” from the ancient alchemists 6000 years ago (translated from the Greek Agres – Ag “white”, “brilliant”).
The most ancient deposits and mining of silver, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC, were discovered in Asia Minor. Development was carried out from lead ores.
In the 4th millennium BC, shiny metal served as a unit of account for trade in eastern countries. Already at that distant time, silver jewelry was popular in China and Egypt.
In the Middle Ages (XVI-XVIII centuries), the mining of pure silver (999 fineness) was in full swing in Transylvania and Spain, with Peru and Mexico taking up the baton.
In Russia, silver mining dates back to the 18th century with the development of deposits in Altai and Transbaikalia.
Most of the mined silver is produced from sulfide ores of lead, zinc and copper containing silver impurities: from blister copper - in the process of electrolytic refining, from blister lead (werkbley) - with the help of zinc. The metal is extracted from silver ores by gravity enrichment or amalgamation (rarely), foam separation, flotation and cyanidation.
Quality and properties of 999 silver
Density - 10.50 g/cm3, Melting point, K (°C) - 1233.5 (960.5).
High flexibility and ductility.
1 g of silver (999 fineness) is easily rolled into a thin wire several kilometers long. The 999 fine noble metal can be compared to plasticine, so no jewelry items are made from it. Due to its natural softness, dents and scratches form on the surface of silver very quickly, which leads to a loss of shine and beauty of the product. Silverware (forks, spoons, knives) will bend even with slight pressure on them, rings will bend when shaking hands.
To give silver hardness, it is mixed with copper and a 925 standard is obtained, where silver is only 92.5%.
Unusual interaction with chemical elements. Aqua regia has no effect on silver, and only sulfuric and nitric acid can dissolve it. In its solid state, silver cannot be affected in any way by oxygen, that is, the pure precious metal does not oxidize. It darkens due to the presence of sulfur particles in the air, the reaction with which forms silver sulfite on the surface of the metal.
Silver samples and their impact on value
Pure silver in the form of ingots is not allowed to make jewelry due to its extreme ductility. Therefore, such bullions are used as currency. And to increase the hardness of the metal, various impurities are added
.
Sample is the proportion (in percentage equivalent) of pure argentum in the alloy. The more it is, the higher the sample.
Today, the following international silver quality standards are distinguished:
- 999 is the highest standard, which means 100% argentum content and virtually no impurities. Its price may be higher than gold.
- 960 – the alloy contains 4% copper. Since such silver contains a lot of precious metal, it is not suitable for making jewelry. It is usually used in the production of antibacterial products (for example, souvenir spoons or water ionizers). The price will be slightly different from the previous option.
- 925 – the share of copper does not exceed 7.5%. The cost is influenced by the value of the product and the complexity of the work. Such an alloy is considered by experts to be the “golden mean”, since it contains ideal proportions of pure metal and impurities. Due to this, the substance has high hardness and resistance to oxidative processes.
- 875 – sample where copper inclusion is 12.5%. One gram of metal is valued at 31 rubles. Such silver is used both in the jewelry and industrial industries. Like 925 silver, it is used to make household items, dishes, medals and orders.
- 830 and 800 are the lowest standards that are rarely found on jewelry store shelves. Such silver can be recognized by its slight yellowness. It is extremely sensitive to external factors - it quickly oxidizes and turns black. Typically, these tests are applied to products that do not meet those previously listed in all respects.
Use of the highest standard silver
999 silver is used to make bars, plates and collectible coins. In jewelry production, only thin openwork items are made from pure silver . Also, pendants, men's cufflinks, rings, etc. are covered with silver of the highest standard.
Collectible tokens “Vodka”, with images of Russian cities and St. George the Victorious, made of 999 sterling silver, are very popular among connoisseurs and investors around the world.
From 2011 to 2013, for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, a set of 999 silver coins (16 pieces in total), with a face value of 3 rubles and weighing exactly 31 g, was launched.
Pure silver of the highest standard is used in such areas as:
- production of electronic equipment and spare parts (terminals, contacts, relays, wire);
- in rocket science;
- making mirrors;
- water ionization;
- widespread use in medicine (equipment, devices, drugs);
- release of X-ray film;
- production of bank registered ingots, records and foil.
Alloy Application
The use of pure silver alloy is quite common. Metal is used:
- for water disinfection;
- for the manufacture of electronic elements (relay contacts, terminals, etc.);
- in the creation of medical devices;
- for soldering especially important connections during rocket construction;
- in the production of bank bullion;
- for covering highly reflective mirrors.
You may be interested in: How much silver is contained in radio components?
In ancient times, the metal was also used to cast money, but today it is used only when creating rare collectible coins. As a result, the latter are highly expensive. But pure silver is not used to create cutlery, since the products will be deformed during use.
Silver bullion bars can be cast or stamped. Both options are necessarily accompanied by documentation confirming purity and quality certificates. Such bars are an excellent investment, and they are also sometimes used as a gift to someone. All that remains is to figure out what the price of Ag is 999 per gram.
Tips for caring, cleaning and storing sterling silver
Bars, coins, records and items made from pure silver of the highest standard must be cleaned very carefully so as not to damage the surface. Mechanical cleaning with brushes and powders is strictly prohibited, as it will instantly lead to scratches. If the silver has darkened, it can be carefully washed with a special coin cleaning liquid, which is sold in jewelry stores, or wiped with alcohol.
It is better to store sterling silver in a dry and dark place (in a safe) to protect it from sun and air.
How much does 1 gram of silver of this standard cost today?
The cost of any precious metal depends on its purity. Likewise, 999 silver, due to its almost 100% purity, is valued higher than lower grades of this metal.
The graph shows the actual price, as well as the dynamics of price growth for 999 silver over 1 year according to the Central Bank of Russia.
Silver of the highest standard is a good way to invest money, since its price (like other precious metals) increases during economic crises.
The price per ounce depends on the stock exchange rate, and the price of buyers (pawnshops) is not much, but differs from the world price.
How much does 1 kg of 999 silver cost?
How much does 1 kg of 999 silver cost? It is quite difficult to say the exact cost due to the volatility of the precious metals market. On average, the price of 999 silver per kilogram is 35,000 rubles, respectively, the cost per gram (at the rate of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation) is 35 rubles.
Note! The price of 999 silver per gram on the market is about 35 rubles per gram, for scrap – 31 rubles, and in jewelry stores – 36 rubles. Moreover, the cost of finished products (if you are lucky enough to find one) increases if there are stones, cutting or a special design.
How much does a 999 silver bar cost in a jar? The price directly depends on the weight of the product. They mainly sell bars of one kilogram, but there may be variations, for example, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 250, 500 grams, including custom-made products (their weight is chosen by the customer).
Now you know how much a kilogram of 999 silver costs and what the cost of the metal is in grams. Silver is a unique material that has an attractive appearance and a fairly high cost in its pure form. As a result, .999 silver is a great way to invest money to preserve your finances.
Where to buy 999 silver?
999 silver, as one of the precious metals, as well as investment financial instruments, is excellent for a profitable investment. Banks and organizations issue bars, collectible coins, and tokens, which can be purchased, for example, here:
- "Golden Mint"
- "Sberbank of Russia",
- "Region Gold".
Pawnshops also buy and resell silver of the highest standard, where you can either purchase used metal or sell it as scrap.
Constant jumps in inflation are increasingly forcing people to think about converting paper money into hard precious metals, given that experts have recently been predicting a golden future for silver.
Refined silver in standard 999.9 fine bars
Ingots are measured and standard “bricks” of 999.9 fine silver, refined at specialized enterprises and complying with Gosstandart. Pure silver bars receive the GOST 28595-90 marking and the “Good Delivery” status (reliable delivery). Available in weight categories from 100 grams to 1 kilogram. You can buy such an ingot at SberBank of Russia.
Silver 999.9 is very ductile, due to the absence of copper, iron and lead, and therefore can only be used in the production of bars, coins and water ionizers.
How to distinguish pure silver from fake?
- A silver product of the highest standard must have a hallmark. If there is none, it means that the product is not made of silver, or it is not certified.
- The authenticity of pure 999 silver can be easily recognized using a regular magnet - pure silver without impurities does not have magnetic properties.
- With the help of chemical means, the bright red color of the product will show the purity of the precious metal, while yellow will show that it is not silver, but tin or brass.
It is worth remembering that any artisanal experiments will harm a silver item, so for a recommendation it is better to contact jewelers who will test the silver item for the presence of a ligature.
The influence of third-party factors on the cost indicator
The described method of finding out the cost of silver does not always give true figures. It may not be useful when it comes to purchasing or selling silver in the domestic market. This is influenced by the following factors:
- possible risks awaiting the Central Bank;
- situation on the world market.
The current political and economic situation in the country is also taken into account. The price of 1 gram of silver may also vary depending on the region and the bank where the purchase will be made.
In 2021, the silver rate in Russia
next:
- purchase – 30,014 rubles;
- sale – 31,702 rubles;
- market – 33.9411 rub. (calculated based on the rate on the international Forex exchange);
- CBR – 30.8 rubles.
One ounce of silver is valued at $15.25 on Forex.
Variation in prices for 925 and 999 silver
Of all the samples, 925 is considered the most common, and 999 is the most expensive. It is not recommended to buy products with a sample below 875 due to low quality. Due to the increased demand for such silver, the cost per gram may vary depending on the place of purchase or sale:
- In a pawnshop (when pawning), items made of 925 silver are accepted at a reduced price - from 18 to 22 rubles. per gram. This is due to the redemption option provided. If the product is put up for sale, the price tag rises to 31 rubles.
- On the stock exchange, the cost of the valuable metal fluctuates between 31-33 rubles.
- The store sells silver items at an inflated price - it is almost 20 times higher than the registration price. So, in a jewelry store they offer 1 gram of silver for about 600 rubles.
Other factors may also affect the cost of a silver item offered for sale in a store:
- appearance;
- country of origin (Chinese goods are the cheapest);
- the price of the metals that make up the alloy.
The last point refers to inclusions other than copper. These can be: cadmium, palladium, platinum. Silver items and jewelry are often plated with rhodium, which prevents them from tarnishing. Then 925 silver will cost more.
Before you buy something silver, you need to understand the existing hallmarks and cost differences. Each product made of this precious metal must have a corresponding mark. After all, argentum, like gold, is often counterfeited.
