Silver often plays second fiddle to gold when it comes to precious metals. That makes some sense since silver is a much cheaper metal -- its price is just not as captivating. However, like gold, it is considered a store of wealth and has historically been used as a form of currency. So, if you're looking for a precious metal, don't overlook silver stocks and investments. That said, it's pretty easy to find a gold-focused stock, but a lot harder to find one that is focused on silver. Here are a few of the best options for adding silver to your portfolio, including my top pick, Wheaton Precious Metals (NYSE: WPM).
Silver is unique from gold in that roughly half of demand stems from industrial purposes, like electronics, photography, and photovoltaics. The rest of silver demand comes from jewelry, bullion, and silverware. Demand for bullion and jewelry is far more reliant on the vagaries of consumer and investor sentiment than industrial demand. That gives silver a stronger demand base then gold, where jewelry, bullion, and central banks account for around 90% of demand.
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Source: Fool.com