Silver's price on Friday was October 31, 2025

Historical silver performance 

Looking at past performance, silver's long-term returns simply don't measure up to those of the stock market. From 1921 onward, silver has lagged behind the S&P 500 by approximately 96%. This means that if you had split your investment evenly between silver and stocks back then, the silver portion would now be worth about 96% less on October 31, 2025.

Silver's value is preserved, acting as a safeguard against inflation. It's known as a “store of value,” that frequently maintains its purchasing power during periods of rising inflation.

Silver's price is more susceptible to fluctuations than gold's, largely because silver has significant industrial applications (such as in electronics and medical equipment), while gold is mainly valued as a secure investment.

What does “spot silver” mean? 

“Spot silver” is the live rate at which silver can theoretically be bought or sold instantly. Actual buyers typically pay above spot to cover markups, shipping, insurance, and other expenses.

The current market price reflects immediate demand; a greater spot value indicates heightened consumer interest.

What does “price spread” represent in the context of silver trading? 

The “price spread” represents the difference between the ask (buy) and bid (sell) prices. Here's a breakdown of those terms. 

• Ask price: what you pay to purchase silver. 
• Bid price: what you receive when you sell. 

Narrow spreads indicate that silver is in high demand. 

How to invest in silver 

Silver can be acquired directly as a physical commodity or through Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). ETFs provide ownership of fund shares that are collateralized by actual silver, thereby eliminating the need for personal storage and insurance arrangements. 

Some main silver investment forms include: 

• Bullion bars and rounds. Purchased by weight and purity. 
• Minted coins. Government-minted coins such as American Silver Eagles and Silver Maple Leafs, which also possess value as collector's items. 
• Jewelry. Crafted items that trade at prices above bullion with identical purity.
• Mining stocks. Shares of silver mining companies offer an indirect investment path and can help mitigate your exposure to silver market fluctuations. 

On most trading platforms, silver bullion and coins must be 99.9% pure (the “three nines fine” standard) while lower-purity silver is classified as industrial or collectible. Read our guide to the best silver IRA companies for more tips to investing in precious metals.

Should investors consider putting their money into silver right now? 

Silver has rallied nearly 25% in 2025, climbing to decade-high territory. 

The decision of whether now is the opportune time to purchase hinges on your objectives and gut feeling. Gold and silver can serve as a safeguard against rising prices, and projected industrial needs, especially within the realm of sustainable technologies, could potentially drive their value even higher. 

But don’t invest in silver expecting an outsized return. 

Precious metals rates today at 8:15 a.m. ET on October 31, 2025 

Regarding precious metals, gold is still the preferred safe haven. Platinum and palladium exhibit volatility similar to silver due to their more limited markets. Gold's greater market capitalization contributes to its relative stability.

The takeaway 

In a volatile economy, precious metals deserve consideration for a place on your radar.

Silver has seen greater gains than gold in 2025, with numerous analysts predicting ongoing robustness and potentially new record highs for the metal.

Silver's more affordable price relative to gold offers a accessible entry point for individuals interested in beginning their precious metals investment journey. Regardless of your choice between physical bullion, exchange-traded funds, or shares in mining companies, numerous avenues exist to position yourself for prosperity as silver's value rises.

Frequently asked questions