is silver a mineral?

Answer 1

Some would say no since it is an element but in the field of mineralogy it is considered what is called a native mineral or native element and fits the definition of a mineral.

Answer 2

Yes, silver can be a mineral. Native silver (in the elemental form) is the most common way silver occurrs. There are other minerals containing silver, such as argentite, which are ores of silver, but have to be treated to recover the silver.

Answer 3

If the silver is by itself, not bonded with anything else, then the mineral is silver.

However if the silver atoms are bonded with other elements, it would form different minerals, and you wouldn't call the mineral silver anymore.

For example, the minerals argentite and cerargyrite contain silver atoms, but the silver components are not considered as minerals anymore.

Answer 4

Siver is found in the earth as native silver, a mineral.
It has a bright metallic luster. When it is untarnished, it has a white colour. It is usually found with a various different elements forming variety of minerals and ores.

The name 'silver' was named from the old English (Anglo-Saxon) word 'seolfer'.

Answer 5

It can be. Native silver is not all that common but it occurs. It is usually cubic,octahedral or dodecahedral. Often in arborescent or wiry forms. It usually has some substitution with gold, mercury arsenic and antimony.

Silver more often occurs in other as ore in combination with other elements, argentite being a major ore.

Answer 6

Yes silver is a mineral, the crystallography is isometric.

Answer 7

silver is a metal. metals are minerals. ergo silver is a mineral.

Answer 8

NO. It is a metallic element.
Minerals of silver are Ag; sulfides, oxides and chlorides.

Answer 9

Yes.

Answer 10

yes