{{Short description|Metallic color tone resembling gray}} {{about|the color|the chemical element|Silver|other uses|Silver (disambiguation)}} {{redirect-distinguish|C0C0C0|Cococo}} {{pp-pc}} {{infobox color | title=Silver | image=File:Color icon silver 2.svg | hex=C0C0C0 | symbolism=[[Second place in a competition]], [[Wealth]] | source=[[Web colors#HTML color names|HTML/CSS]]<ref name="css3-color">{{cite web|url=http://www.w3.org/TR/css3-color/#html4 |title=W3C TR CSS3 Color Module, HTML4 color keywords |publisher=W3.org |access-date=2009-04-15}}</ref> | isccname=Light gray}} [[File:Silver crystal.jpg|thumb|A [[silver]] crystal]] '''Silver''' or '''metallic gray''' is a [[color]] [[Tints and shades|tone]] resembling [[gray]] that is a representation of the color of polished [[silver]]. [[File:Silver Bar 01.jpg|alt=Silver ingot|thumb|Silver ingot]] The visual sensation usually associated with the metal silver is its metallic shine. This cannot be reproduced by a simple solid [[color]] because the shiny effect is due to the material's brightness varying with the surface angle to the light source. In addition, there is no mechanism for showing [[Metallic color|metallic]] or [[fluorescent]] colors on a [[computer]] without resorting to rendering software that simulates the action of light on a shiny surface. Consequently, in [[art]] and in [[heraldry]], one would typically use a metallic paint that glitters like real silver. A matte gray color could also be used to represent silver.
== History ==
The first recorded use of ''silver'' as a color name in English was in 1481.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill p. 204; Color Sample of Silver: p. 97 Plate 37 Color Sample A2</ref> In heraldry, the word [[argent]] is used,<ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Stephen|editor-last=Friar|title=A New Dictionary of Heraldry|location=London|date=1987|publisher=[[A & C Black|Alphabooks/A&C Black]]|isbn=0-906670-44-6|page=343}}</ref> derived from Latin ''argentum'' over Medieval French ''argent''.
==Silver== Displayed at right is the [[web color]] '''silver'''.
Since version 3.2 of [[HTML]] "silver" is a name for one of the 16 basic-[[Video Graphics Array|VGA]]-colors. * '''[[HTML]]-example''': <code><body bgcolor="silver"></code> * '''[[Cascading Style Sheets|CSS]]-example''': <code>body { background-color:silver; }</code> {{Clear}}
==Variations of silver==
===Silver (Crayola)=== {{infobox color |title=Silver (Crayola) |hex=C9C0BB |source=[[List of Crayola crayon colors|Crayola]] |isccname=Yellowish gray}} [[Crayola]] [[crayon]]s have a color called ''silver'' which is a pale tone of silver color. This silver has been a Crayola color since 1903.
Crayola's silver is not a neutral [[grayscale]] color but a warm gray with a very slight tinge of [[Vermilion#Orange-red|orange-red]]. {{Clear}}
===Silver pink=== {{Main|Shades of pink#Silver pink}} {{Infobox color |title=Silver Pink |hex=C4AEAD |source=[[Plochere]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://colors.bravo9.com/nbs-iscc-p-plochere-color-system/list/all/|title=NBS/ISCC P - Plochere Color System|date=August 13, 2011|access-date=November 16, 2019|archive-date=August 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813205222/http://colors.bravo9.com/nbs-iscc-p-plochere-color-system/list/all/|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> |isccname=Grayish yellowish pink}} The color '''silver pink''' is displayed on the right.
The color name ''silver pink'' first came into use in 1948.
The source of this color is the ''Plochere Color System'', a color system formulated in 1948 that is widely used by [[interior designer]]s.<ref name="Plochere Color System">[http://colors.bravo9.com/nbs-iscc-p-plochere-color-system/list/all/ Plochere Color System] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081004182626/http://colors.bravo9.com/nbs-iscc-p-plochere-color-system/list/all/ |date=2008-10-04 }}</ref>
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===Silver sand=== {{infobox color |title=Silver Sand |hex=BFC1C2 |source=[[Xona.com Color List]]<ref name="Xona.com Color List">{{Cite web|url=https://xona.com/misc/colorlist/|title=Xona Games - Color List|website=xona.com}}</ref> |isccname=Light greenish gray}}
On the right is displayed the color '''silver sand'''.
The color name ''silver sand'' for this silver-tone has been used since 2001 when it was promulgated as one of the colors on the [http://xona.com/colorlist/ Xona.com Color List].
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===Silver chalice=== {{infobox color |title=Silver Chalice |hex=ACACAC |source=[[Xona.com Color List]]<ref name="Xona.com Color List"/> |isccname=Light gray}}
On the right is displayed the color '''silver chalice'''.
The color name ''silver chalice'' for this tone of silver has been in use since 2001 when it was promulgated as one of the colors on the [http://xona.com/colorlist/ Xona.com Color List].
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===Roman silver=== {{infobox color |title=Roman Silver |hex=838996 |source=[[Resene]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://nzexplorer.co.nz/colour_swatch_library/search.php?type=letter&letter=r|title=nzexplorer.co.nz|website=nzexplorer.co.nz}}</ref> |isccname=Bluish gray}}
On the right is displayed the color '''Roman silver'''.
''Roman silver'', a [[blue-gray]] tone of silver, is one of the colors on the [http://nzexplorer.co.nz/colour_swatch_library/search.php?type=letter&letter=r Resene Color List].
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===Old silver=== {{infobox color |title= Old Silver |hex=848482 |source=[[ISCC-NBS]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tx4.us/nbs/nbs-o.htm|title=Retsof online version of ISCC-NBS Dictionary of Colo(u)r Names - Oa through Oz|date=November 22, 2012|access-date=January 9, 2025|archive-date=November 22, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121122220323/http://tx4.us/nbs/nbs-o.htm|url-status=usurped}}</ref> |isccname=Greenish gray}}
At right is displayed the color '''old silver'''.
''Old silver'' is a color formulated to resemble [[tarnish]]ed silver.
The first recorded use of ''old silver'' as a color name in [[English language|English]] was in 1905.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill p. 189; Color Sample of Old Silver: p. 99 Plate 38 Color Sample A1</ref>
The [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Color/Normalized Color Coordinates|normalized color coordinates]] for old silver are identical to [[Shades of gray#Battleship gray|battleship gray]].
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===Sonic silver=== {{infobox color |title=Sonic Silver |hex=757575 |source=[[List of Crayola crayon colors#Metallic FX|Crayola]] |isccname=Dark gray}} '''Sonic silver''' is a tone of silver included in Metallic FX crayons, specialty crayons formulated by Crayola in 2001.
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== Silver in nature == '''[[Plants]]''' * A [[silver birch]] is a [[tree]] in the [[birch]] family. The leaves are whitish silver on the underside. * A [[Abies alba|silver fir]] is a valuable [[timber]] [[tree]] that originated in Europe.<ref name="massachuetts1984">Mish, Frederic C., Editor in Chief ''Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary'' Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S.A.:1984--Merriam-Webster p. 1098</ref> * A [[silver maple]] is characterized by lacy, delicate leaves that are lighter grayish-green on the underside. These trees get their name from the shimmering effect the two-toned leaves give when fluttering in a breeze.
'''[[Animals]]''' * A [[silverfish]] is an [[insect]] which may eat [[paper]] or [[cloth]].<ref name="massachuetts1984"/> * Many [[fish]] have a silver color. * A [[silver fox (animal)|silver fox]] is a "genetically determined phase of the common [[red fox]] in which the pelt is [[black]] tipped with [[white]]".<ref name="massachuetts1984"/> * A [[silverback gorilla]] is an adult male gorilla.
== Silver in culture == '''[[Aphorism]]s''' * The expression "[[silver lining (idiom)|every cloud has a silver lining]]" is used to point out that something good can often come out of even a bad situation. * The expression "silver-tongued" refers to a person who possesses the power of fluent, persuasive, eloquent, and witty speech. * The expression "born with a [[silver spoon]] in his/her mouth" means someone is born into a wealthy or well-to-do family.
<!--;[[Art]]--> '''[[Astronomy]]''' * The [[Chinese language|Chinese]] name ''Silver River'' (銀河) is used throughout [[East Asia]], including [[Korea]] and [[Japan]] to denote the [[Milky Way Galaxy]] (An alternative name for the Milky Way in ancient China, especially in poems, is "Heavenly [[Han River (Hanshui)|Han River]]"(天汉).). In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], "Silver River" (銀河 ''ginga'') means galaxies in general, and the Milky Way is called the "Silver River System" (銀河系 ''gingakei'') or the "River of Heaven" (天の川 ''Amanokawa or Amanogawa'').
'''[[Film]]''' * The [[silver screen]] is a [[Poetry|poetic]] name for a [[motion picture]] screen. This metaphor derived from the early 20th century when all movies were filmed in black and white, and some screens of the era used metallic silver as a reflecting agent. * [[Lists of science fiction films|Science fiction films]] often show [[Spacecraft|spaceship]] or [[starship]] crews wearing silver [[body suit]]s. * ''[[Silver City (2004 film)|Silver City]]'' is a 2004 political satire and drama film written and directed by [[John Sayles]].
'''[[Geography]]''' * [[Nevada]] is referred to as the ''silver state'' because of the historically rich silver mines located there, such as the [[Comstock Lode]].
'''[[Gerontology]]''' * The [[aging]] of the [[baby boomers]] has been called the "[[The Silver Tsunami|silver tsunami]]",<ref>{{cite web|author=Debra J. Saunders |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/11/ED5HVH87G.DTL&hw=Debra+Saunders&sn=003&sc=862 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216104724/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/03/11/ED5HVH87G.DTL&hw=Debra+Saunders&sn=003&sc=862 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 16, 2012 |title="Everyone's Mortgage Crisis"—Debra J. Saunders' column in the Tue. March 11, 2008 ''San Francisco Chronicle'' about the Social Security and Medicare Entitlement Crisis |publisher=Sfgate.com |date=2008-03-11 |access-date=2009-04-15}}</ref> although this phrase is controversial due to its [[Ageism|ageist]] connotations.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Barusch |first=Amanda |author-link=Amanda Barusch |date=2013 |title=The Aging Tsunami: Time for a New Metaphor? |journal=Journal of Gerontological Social Work |volume=56 |issue=3 |pages=181–4 |doi=10.1080/01634372.2013.787348 |pmid=23548140 |s2cid=41067427 |doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Charise|first=Andrea|date=2012|title="Let the Reader Think of the Burden": Old Age and the Crisis of Capacity."|url=https://arcade.stanford.edu|journal=Occasion: Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities|access-date=2016-03-03}}</ref> * When someone 55 or older gets [[divorce]]d, it is called a "silver divorce".<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/2010/06/07/the-rise-of-the-silver-divorce.htm|title=''Newsweek--June 7, 2010''--"The Rise of the 'Silver Divorce'"|website=[[Newsweek]] }}</ref>
'''[[Heraldry]]''' * In [[heraldry]] there is no distinction between silver and [[white]], represented as "[[argent]]". * In English heraldry argent (silver) or white signified brightness, purity, virtue, or innocence.<ref>''The American Girls Handy Book'', p.369</ref>
'''[[Literature]]''' * The ''Silver Cord'' is a 1926 play by [[Sidney Howard]] about the emotional tie between a [[mother]] and a [[son]], and the term "silver cord" is sometimes used to represent this tie.<ref name="massachuetts1984"/> * ''[[Silver Child]]'' is the first in ''[[The Silver Sequence]]'' is a fantasy brook trilogy by Cliff McNish consisting of ''Silver Child'', ''Silver City'' and ''Silver World''. * ''[[The Silver Chair]]'' is a book in [[C. S. Lewis]]'s allegorical fantasy series ''[[The Chronicles of Narnia]]''.
'''[[Marriage]]''' * The 25th [[wedding anniversary]] is called the ''silver anniversary''; guests at a 25th wedding anniversary party are expected to bring gifts made of silver. By extension, the 25th anniversary of any significant event is called its ''Silver Jubilee''.
'''[[Military]]''' * The [[Silver Star]] is the third-highest decoration that can be awarded by the [[U.S. Military]].
'''[[Music]]''' * [[Silver Apples]] was a [[psychedelic music|psychedelic]] [[electronic music]] duo from New York City that formed in 1967. * [[Silverhead]] was a [[United Kingdom|British band]], led by singer/actor [[Michael Des Barres]]. They were a part of the [[glam rock]] music scene of the early 1970s. * [[Silver Convention]] was a popular [[disco]] group. * [[Silverchair]] is a contemporary Australian rock band. * ''Silver Fox'' is a song by [[RJD2]] from his 2002 album ''[[Deadringer (album)|Deadringer]]''.
'''[[Panelology]]''' * The [[Silver Surfer]] is a popular [[comic book]] character. * [[Silver Fox (character)|Silver Fox]] is a character in the [[Marvel Comics]] universe.
'''[[Parapsychology]]''' * Those who claim to have had [[out-of-body experience]]s sometimes report that they observe a [[silver cord]] connecting their [[astral body]] to their [[physical body]].<ref>Greenhouse, Herbert B. ''The Astral Journey'' New York:1975 Doubleday p. 46</ref>
'''[[Politics]]''' * The [[Silver Legion of America|Silver Shirts]] was an American [[Fascism|fascist]] organization during the 1930s.
'''[[Real estate]]''' * The [[Pontiac Silverdome|Silverdome]], a [[stadium]] in [[Pontiac, Michigan]] constructed in 1975 for $55,000,000 (about $220,000,000 in 2009 dollars), sold in 2009 for $583,000, symbolizing the collapse of [[real estate prices]] in the [[Detroit metropolitan area]] due to [[deindustrialization]] in the [[rust belt]].<ref>[http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/11/17/detroit-stadium-or-new-york-studio-the-silverdome-sells-for-58/ Silverdome Sells for $583,000:]</ref> '''[[Religion]]''' * In [[Paganism]], silver represents wisdom, intelligence, and memory. It has a feminine energy and it is used to grow psychic ability.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Magical Properties of Colors|url=https://wiccaliving.com/magical-properties-colors/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=Wicca Living|language=en-US}}</ref> '''[[Role playing games]]''' * In ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'', the [[Metallic dragons (Dungeons & Dragons)#Silver dragon|silver dragon]] is one of the [[metallic dragons (Dungeons & Dragons)|metallic dragons]].
'''[[School colors]]''' * Silver is one of two school colors of [[Christopher Newport University]].
'''[[Scouting]]''' * The [[Silver Wolf Award (The Scout Association)|Silver Wolf Award]] is the highest award made by [[The Scout Association]] "for services of the most exceptional character". * The Silver Award is the highest award for GS Cadettes in Girl Scouting of the United States of America (GSUSA).
'''[[Human sexuality|Sexuality]]''' * In the [[bandana code]] of the [[gay]] [[leather subculture]], wearing a silver [[Lamé (fabric)|lamé]] [[bandana]] on the left means that one is a rock star, [[movie star]], [[celebrity]], or big time [[groupie]]; wearing a silver lamé bandana on the right means that one is a groupie looking to have sex with one of the aforementioned types of people.<ref>{{citation | last=Andrews | first=Vincent | year=2010 | title=The Leatherboy Handbook | publisher=The Nazca Plains Corp. | isbn=978-1-61098-046-3 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.gaycityusa.com/hankycodes.htm Hankycode on gaycitiusa.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071206134258/http://www.gaycityusa.com/hankycodes.htm |date=2007-12-06 }} access date 2012-03-30</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081221143843/http://www.leathernjonline.com/hanky.htm Hankycode on leathernjonline.com]}} access date 2010-03-30</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacbolt.com/hankycode.html|title=Hanky Code on Sacramento Bolt website}}</ref>
'''[[Sports]]''' * The [[Las Vegas Raiders]] of the [[National Football League]] and the [[San Antonio Spurs]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] use silver as one of their primary colors, along with [[black]]. * The [[Detroit Lions]] football team uses the color silver along with the color [[Azure (color)#Honolulu blue|Honolulu blue]] for its team logo and uniforms. * In motorsports, [[Germany]] is traditionally represented in white. However in 1934 the German teams stripped the paint from their cars to save weight, thus revealing the silver coloured bodywork beneath. They were aptly named the [[Silver Arrows]]. Since then, Germany also uses silver as one of their racing colours.
== See also == * [[List of colors]] * [[The Silver Tsunami]] (metaphor)
== References == {{reflist|2}}
==External links== * {{wikiquote-inline}} * {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Web colors}} {{Shades of grey|US=yes|state=autocollapse}} {{Color topics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Silver (Color)}} [[Category:Silver]] [[Category:Shades of gray]] [[Category:Web colors]]