Silver

MetalsPrecious Metals

A monetary turned industrial metal, with electronics, solar, and jewelry uses and famously volatile prices.

Overview

Mine supply runs near 25,000 tonnes a year, over half of it a byproduct of lead, zinc, copper, and gold mining, so supply answers prices slowly. Demand splits industry, the largest slice through solar panels, electronics, brazing, and solder, jewelry and silverware, and coins and bars. The gold silver ratio has swung from around 15 in ancient coinage law to over 100 in modern panics, and silver tends to amplify gold moves in both directions. The Hunt brothers corner pushed it toward 50 dollars in 1980 before exchange rule changes collapsed the trade, and retail trading surges have since bent the paper market again. India drives seasonal import demand with monsoon incomes.

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