Silver Quietly Increasing in Value: Up 35 Percent this Year

So far in the short two months of 2008, silver has enjoyed running up by 35 percent, breaking the $20 mark today. We don't have to feel bad for gold though, as it's risen by 17 percent in 2008, a very hefty rise as well.

It's doubtful it will continue at this pace at all, and the inherent volatility of silver offers its own risk. Even so, during 2008, we'll probably see the metal grow in price, albeit at a much slower pace than it has been.

With the declining use of silver in the photography industry, this is surely an investor driven rise, and should be in the foreseeable future.

That will add to the possibility of a lot of ups and downs because of the potential for profit taking, although it should still steadily rise throughout the year. That, and the increase in scrap sales has to be watched carefully.

People will have to watch that they don't become "Silver Surfers."