As long as we're still in learning mode, let's take this one step further.
It's important to note that some colloidal silver marketers, in an attempt to make their product appear superior, would lead you to believe that an ion is not a particle, and that therefore the ionic form of colloidal silver cannot really be considered "colloidal" in nature, because there are supposedly no "particles" in it.
This is ridiculous, of course. Just think it through for yourself. An ion is simply a particle of bare metallic silver that's missing an electron. That's it. Taking away an electron from a particle of silver does not change the fact that it's a particle of silver any more than taking away a person's big toe changes the fact the person is a human being. It's just a particle of silver missing an electron, i.e., an ionic particle.
Simply put:
Metallic silver is composed of silver particles that are not missing an electron (and thus are biologically inactive/inert against pathogens).
And ionic silver is composed of silver particles that are missing an electron (which gives them a positive electrical charge and makes them biologically active against pathogens).
But don't just believe me. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry defines an "ion" like this:
"An atomic or molecular particle having a net electric charge."
You can't get any simpler or more accurate than that.
The IUPAC is the recognized world authority in chemical terminology and nomenclature. It's even informally referred to as the "Gold Book", because it's considered to be the gold standard for scientific definitions. And its definitions are applicable to ALL fields of science.
Of course, you'll have some of these "true colloidal silver" people tell you "Yes, I know what the Gold Books says, but that definition doesn't apply to my product because it has special physical properties not covered in the Gold Book."
All I can say is in response to that little bit of silliness is please chuckle softly when they make that claim. Don't laugh too hard. Say something like "Well, bless your pointed little head", and avert your eyes as if you're embarrassed for them.
The IUPAC further states that colloid components include ionic particles. It even refers to the "colloidal ion".
So any colloidal silver marketer who would lead you to believe that an ion is not a particle and therefore cannot be part of a "true colloid" (or more accurately spoken, a true colloidal suspension) is either uninformed or attempting to deceive you with semantics.
To use the term "true colloidal silver", at least do so with the understanding that ionic colloidal silver is every bit as much "true colloidal silver" as the metallic form of colloidal silver claims to be.
In fact, ionic silver is even more so, because it's already in the biologically active, infection-fighting form, whereas metallic colloidal silver has to be converted inside the body into the biologically active, infection-fighting form in order to kill pathogens.
Again, they both work against pathogens. It's just that the metallic form works far more slowly inside the human body because it has to be converted to the biologically active, infection-fighting "specie" of silver (i.e., ionic silver) before it can be of any benefit whatsoever.