Symbol: Ag (from the Latin 'argentum', which is also from where Argentina’s name originates)
Atomic number: 47
Overview: Everyone likes silver, don't they? What can one say about it other than that, for some reason or another, mankind has always been more obsessed with the far gaudier gold. Oh well, at least it's nicer than bronze which isn't even an element, of course.
Discovered: Another of those ones that incredibly hard to pin down since silver is naturally occurring. What we do know is that silver was being mined in Asia Minor as early as the 4th millennium BC.
What it looks like: Why, a silvery grey metal, of course!
What it does: Shines very nicely. Its conductivity is also very impressive. Indeed, silver offers the highest electrical conductivity of any element, not to mention the highest thermal conductivity of any metal.
What it's used for: Besides jewellery, ornaments, dentistry and currency, silver is widely used as a conductor in electrical products. Prior to the digital age, it was also of key importance in photography. And if you have a mirror that’s particularly reflective, the odds are it'll be made using silver.
You might not know this but: Judas Iscariot isn't the only religious figure known for having something to do with silver. According to many texts, the Prophet Muhammad was known for wearing a silver signet ring.