Silver has been used for thousands of years for ornaments and utensils, trade, and as the basis for many monetary systems. Its value as a precious metal was long considered second only to gold. Silver is a brilliant grey-white metal that is soft and malleable. Its unique properties include its strength, malleability, ductility, electrical and thermal conductivity, sensitivity, high reflectance of light, and reactivity.

India is not a major silver exporter in pure form, although it exports silver jewellery. In terms of mine production, India is ranked 14th and is ranked third in terms of demand and imports. India imports Silver (unwrought or semi-manufactured) from countries such as China, United Kingdom, Russian Federation, Germany and Rep of Korea, while it exports silver jewellery to countries such as US, Hong Kong, UAE.

The major countries producing Silver are Mexico, Peru, China, Chile and Russia. Major consuming countries are United States, China, India, Japan and Russia. Major Silver exporting countries are Mexico, Rep of Korea, Canada, China and Hong Kong.

The market participants engaged in import, exports, domestic trading, and manufacturing of silver and silver jewelleries are exposed to price risk. Commodity derivatives product provide an effective hedging tool much to the advantage of market participants.