Jewellery
Stirling silver, which is alloy of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper, is often used to make silverware and jewellery.
As silver is valuable, attractive and relatively less expensive than gold, it is very popular in jewellery. Silver has also become very fashionable and is often used in more artistic jewellery pieces, including many of the New Zealand Mint Boh Runga line.
Sterling silver jewellery often goes through a process called “flashing” where it is 99.9% pure silver. It can also be plated with rhodium for a bright, shiny look.
Silverware
Cutlery, bowls, candlesticks and flatware were traditionally made from Stirling silver.
Medical
Silver has a wide range of medical applications. Uses include applying silver ions and compounds to fight viral, bacterial and fungal infection through, gels, creams and in bandages. This includes helping wound and burn patients.
In hospitals, antibacterial glass is coated with a thin layer of silver to prevent the spread of infection. It is also used in catheters to reduce the risk of infection.
Silver, including colloidal silver, is often used in homeopathic remedies for all sorts of ailments.
Dentistry
Silver is mixed with other metals, such as tin and mercury to make amalgam fillings for cavities.
Photography and Electronics
Silver consumption has traditionally been dominated by photographic and industrial uses. While silver is still used in photography, the introduction of digital cameras has more than halved usage in slightly more than a decade.
Silver is often used in electrical and electronic applications for its high levels of conductivity. This includes circuits, contacts, preamplifiers and batteries.
Optics and Mirrors
Traditionally silver was used in mirrors as it is highly reflective. However, due to tarnishing, it is now used to coat glass in optics instead. Given the relative expense of silver, it is not often used in architectural or car glass, but is the preferred coating forsolar reflectors.