to wear a small amount of silver when needed?

All of this would hold even if a general prohibition against wearing silver had been reported from the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, just as a general prohibition against men wearing gold and silk has been reported from him, when he said:

“These two are forbidden to the males of my community and lawful for its females.”

Likewise, a general prohibition against gold and silver vessels has been reported from him. Since the Prophet’s statements, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, were general regarding gold and silver vessels and the wearing of gold and silk, exceptions were made for whatever the evidence of Islamic law specifically excluded, such as small amounts of silk, small amounts of silver in vessels when needed, and similar cases.

As for wearing silver, if there is no general statement prohibiting it, no one may prohibit any form of it except what the evidence of Islamic law establishes as forbidden. Thus, when the Sunnah permits a silver ring, this is evidence that it is permissible, as is whatever is equivalent to it and whatever has an even stronger claim to permissibility. Whatever does not fall into these categories requires examination to determine whether it is lawful or forbidden. And Allah, glorified and exalted is He, knows best.