Silver leaf gives the same hand applied depth as gold in a cooler key, and it is the easier of the two to place. Most bathrooms already contain chrome or nickel at the faucet and the drain, and silver sits with both without asking the rest of the room to change.
Beyond leaf, this group includes platinum and brushed silver finishes on stainless basins, which behave differently again. A brushed surface scatters light and conceals water marks. A polished one reflects the room and shows them.
Silver is also the finish that works best in a bathroom with limited natural light, since it returns whatever light there is rather than absorbing it the way a dark basin does.
Keep abrasive pads away from any leafed surface. Warm water and a soft cloth.
