Unexpected Rise in Silver Demand
It is no secret that there has been a weakening demand for base metals in the Chinese Economy. Metal manufacturers are responding to this report by slashing outputs of copper, zinc and lead. The accidental side effect is a boost in silver prices.
About two-thirds of the world's silver output is a byproduct scrapped up when companies dig for base metals.  Thus, when the Chinese demand leads to less output of base metals, less silver is unearthed and their prices get a boost. It is reported that production for the precious metals with fall this year for the first time in over a decade. As we continue to see mine cutbacks this will affect silver, giving the metal its long overdue attention.
Even just 3 months into the year we can already see the effects of this. After 3 years of losses, prices have already gained 15% in 2016 raising prices to about $16 an ounce. Silver, often known as “the devil's metal” gets its price volatile nature due in part to its store of wealth popular during times of crisis and part to industrial metal with demand linked to the economic cycle.
Lead and Zinc prices have been falling for many of the past years resulting in some of the biggest mining companies turning to survival mode. And as a result of this, mined supply of silver is down 9.2% this year,  it is also predicted that 13% less will be mined in 2016 than 2015. As secondary silver producers, zinc, lead and copper, continue to see a big hit with lower prices, this could lead to a potentially significant boost in prices of silver moving forward.

By
Jill McVey 

How to Recognize Different Types of Metals
When it comes to getting the most out of your metals before bringing them to the junk yard you want to sort them correctly. In order to do so, you will first need to be able to identify the difference in these various metals. Here is a quick guide to recognizing different types of metals.
Ferrous and non-Ferrous metals: First you will want to be able to tell the difference between ferrous and nonferrous metals. The easiest way to do this by using simple magnet. Ferrous means that the metal carries iron content which makes it magnetic; nonferrous, on the other hand, means there is no iron and thus metal is non-responsive to a magnet.
Aluminum:

• Shiny grey color
• Very light
• Nonferrous -doesn't attract to magnet
• Non sparking
• Does not rust
• Commonly seen in soda cans

Iron /Steel

• Dull grey when unpolished
• About 3x heavier than aluminum
• Ferrous -attracts magnet
• Very Strong
• Susceptible to rust

Bronze

• Dark Coppery color and gets green oxide over time
• Nonferrous –doesn't attract to magnet
• Alloy of copper & Tin
• Vibrates like  a bell when hit

Brass

• Yellow & Gold Color
• Nonferrous -doesn't attract magnet
• Similar to Bronze – Vibrates like a bell when hit
• Alloy of Copper & Zinc (usually 50% copper)
• Commonly seen in musical instruments

Copper

• Light red and gets green oxide over time 
• Nonferrous -doesn't attract magnet
• Alloy similar to brass & bronze
• Similar to brass & bronze – Vibrates like a bell when hit
• Commonly seen in cookware, electronics and wiring

Another way to tell certain metals apart is with the “spark test”. You can do this by taking an angle grinder to your metal and observing the sparks (if any) to determine the type. Because all metals spark differently this is an easy way to identify the type of metal you are dealing with.

By
Jill McVey