Gold or silver is used to preserve value, such as in the case of a currency collapse. There were times in the 1970s for example, when people used "junk siver" to purchase things. If you have a roll of 1960 quarters or Morgan Dollars, or any U.S. coins made before he started to stick copper in the middle, you have somethinglike 90% silver. Silver has uses, but people alo simply like to have silver as something beuatiful and valueable. People can count on the desire for such things. The ancient Athenians rose to power, in part, based on silver mines. King Solomon is known for his mines, as a source for much of his wealth. Wealth is value or aving valueables. Precious metals have represented wealth for millenia, and that is not likely to change.