Crystal & mineral guide
Native Silver
Ag
Native silver — wire and dendritic crystals are classic collector forms.
Identify Native Silver with RockScanAbout Native Silver
Native silver forms wires, dendrites, and masses in hydrothermal veins. Tarnishes to black sulfide coatings. Softer and denser than most lookalikes. Major economic silver comes from ores (galena, argentite) rather than native metal alone.
Native Silver belongs in a crystal identifier workflow because photo cues — color zoning, crystal habit, and surface luster — combine with measurable traits like Mohs 2.5–3 and specific gravity 10.1–11.1. Use RockScan’s camera to get a first-pass ID, then confirm with the checklist below.
Native Silver properties
| Mohs hardness | 2.5–3 |
|---|---|
| Crystal system | Cubic |
| Luster | Metallic |
| Color | Silver-white; tarnishes black |
| Composition | Elemental silver, often with gold/copper/arsenic |
| Formation | Hydrothermal veins; secondary enrichment zones |
| Occurrence | Mexico, Peru, Norway (Kongsberg), Canada, USA |
| Specific gravity | 10.1–11.1 |
| Cleavage | None |
How to identify Native Silver
- Hackly fracture; malleable
- High SG ~10.5
- Tarnish common; soft (scratch with pin)
Collector notes
- Kongsberg, Norway produced legendary wire silver specimens
- Silver has the highest electrical conductivity of any metal
Value context: Fine wire/dendritic specimens exceed refined melt value for collectors.
Native Silver FAQ
How do you identify Native Silver?
Native Silver (Ag) is typically recognized by silver-white; tarnishes black color, metallic luster, Mohs hardness 2.5–3, and cubic crystal system. RockScan can suggest Native Silver from a photo and surface these checks on the result card.
What is Native Silver made of?
Native Silver composition: Elemental silver, often with gold/copper/arsenic. It forms via hydrothermal veins; secondary enrichment zones and is found in Mexico, Peru, Norway (Kongsberg), Canada, USA.
Is Native Silver valuable?
Fine wire/dendritic specimens exceed refined melt value for collectors.
