Tuesday Update – Precious Metals

HAVING focused last week on Czechia, we continue this week with more silver-bearing minerals, but broadening the subject area to all precious metals and in a worldwide context.

As previously, we start the week with those specimens under $1000 and end it with a higher value selection. However, as of next week, we will be changing things so that every update will feature a broad range of prices. We will also be varying the theme of updates between Tuesdays and Fridays, so that many more themes can be incorporated.

Today, all but one specimen features silver minerals but these vary greatly: from bright metallic Native Silver, through dark grey Stephanite and Acanthite to blood red Proustite and orange Xanthoconite.

Relatively speaking, silver is much less valuable now than historically, but even recently, sudden ‘spikes’ in values show that it remains an important metal. However, this recent rise was in relation to speculation that silver will be required for a new generation of battery – a far cry from the days when silver’s value came from its use in currency, or coinage.

Quite a number of the specimens today are from famous historic silver-mining regions with some accompanied by older collection labels dating to the 19th century. Not everyone values the past but for me, seeing these labels is part of the excitement, and adds a further dimension to the story behind these wonderful objects of nature.

Join us again on Friday when the beauty and rarity of specimens will be elevated and when Native Gold becomes more prominent.

Please note: Today's featured specimens are situated at both our US and UK showrooms.