Native silver

Native silver is a naturally occurring native element mineral consisting of the chemical elementsilver (Ag) in its pure, uncombined metallic form. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (isometric) with lattice parameter a = 4.086 Å and space groupFm3m. Silver has an average continental crustal abundance of approximately 0.056 parts per million (ppm). While rarely found in its elemental state, it more commonly occurs in compound forms such as sulfide minerals or sulfosalt minerals. Native silver occurs with crystallographic habits including filiform (wire-like), arborescent, and dendritic structures in hydrothermalveins, and constitutes only a minor fraction of global production, which is primarily sourced as a by-product from base-metalores.