Silver is found in nature primarily combined with other elements rather than as pure chunks. The most common natural forms are:

• In ores with other metals: silver often occurs in minerals such as argentite (silver sulfide), chlorargyrite (silver chloride), and galena (lead sulfide) where it is mined together with copper, lead, zinc, or gold. It is typically extracted as a byproduct of mining these base metals.

• Native silver: small amounts of silver occur in native metallic form, and, though rare, can be found as pure nuggets or in placer deposits where it has weathered out of veins and concentrated by gravity.

• In minerals and alloys: historically, silver has been found in electrum, an alloy of gold and silver, and in various silver-bearing minerals associated with hydrothermal activity.

Geographic distribution

• Major modern producers include countries in the Americas and beyond, such as Mexico, Peru, the United States, Chile, China, Australia, Poland, and Bolivia, among others. These regions host large silver-bearing ore deposits or significant refining capabilities.

Environmental and natural occurrence

• Silver is a trace element in the Earth's crust and can enter the environment through natural weathering and human activities, with small but measurable concentrations in air, water, and soil.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a particular purpose (e.g., mining, jewelry, or environmental considerations) or provide a simple chart of common silver-bearing minerals with their chemical formulas.