Silver (color)
Silver (color) suppliers and sourcing guide
Silver as a color additive is a crystalline powder of high-purity silver, made by reacting silver nitrate with ferrous sulfate in the presence of nitric, phosphoric and sulfuric acids, with polyvinyl alcohol used to keep the crystals from clumping. It gives a metallic silver effect. In the United States it is permitted only in fingernail polish, so it is a narrow, specialty purchase for nail product makers.
- Category
- Colors
- Also known as
- Silver · CI 77820 · Silver powder
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of silver (color)
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Crystalline powder
High-purity silver crystals made to the 21 CFR 73.2500 specification.
Nail polish dispersion
Silver pre-dispersed in nitrocellulose or other permitted diluents for nail lacquer production.
Pre-mixed nail shades
Silver blended with other colors permitted in nail polish to make a finished shade concentrate.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Silver assay
- Silver (as Ag) by titration or ICP, required to be not less than 99.9 percent.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic and mercury by ICP-MS against the limits in 21 CFR 73.2500.
- Particle size
- Particle size and shape by laser diffraction or microscopy, which set the metallic effect.
- Appearance
- Luster and color against a retained standard, to catch tarnish or agglomeration.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store sealed in a dry place away from sulfur compounds, acids and oxidizers, which tarnish silver. Keep dispersions closed to stop solvent loss and follow the supplier's fire precautions for nitrocellulose. Shelf life or retest interval is set by the supplier specification.
Lots and expiry dates
Particle size and luster vary between lots, so check each lot against a retained standard in the finished polish and record the assay. Rotate stock first-in, first-out.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 73.2500 permits silver for coloring fingernail polish at no more than 1 percent of the final product.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 73.2500 describes the color additive as high-purity crystalline silver made from silver nitrate and ferrous sulfate, with at least 99.9 percent silver.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Silver for this use is exempt from FDA certification.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Silver (color) suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking silver (color) suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell silver (color)? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of silver (color) can brands buy?
Common forms include crystalline powder, nail polish dispersion and pre-mixed nail shades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for silver (color) include?
Expect silver assay, heavy metals, particle size and appearance, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should silver (color) be stored?
Store sealed in a dry place away from sulfur compounds, acids and oxidizers, which tarnish silver. Keep dispersions closed to stop solvent loss and follow the supplier's fire precautions for nitrocellulose. Shelf life or retest interval is set by the supplier specification.
What is the regulatory status of silver (color)?
21 CFR 73.2500 permits silver for coloring fingernail polish at no more than 1 percent of the final product. 21 CFR 73.2500 describes the color additive as high-purity crystalline silver made from silver nitrate and ferrous sulfate, with at least 99.9 percent silver. Silver for this use is exempt from FDA certification.
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