Silver is very difficult to work as it is naturally very soft. Alloys are added to make it a bit more firm, which allows the silversmith to better control his work. Ingot silver is much purer than .925 silver, which is what most contemporary silver is made out, and it is therefore more difficult to produce.

Be sure to note the hammering that is visible from the back. This is a characteristic of an ingot silver Navajo (Dine’) bracelet.