Why were precious metals... precious?

[edro]

Gold, silver, bronze...

I can understand bronze, because at least it was used for weaponry. As for gold and silver... they are too malleable to be used for anything but jewelry and silverware.

What made early people and even people today like precious metals?

I know that gold, silver, copper, etc. are needed now a days for thei conductive properties, but that doesn't explain it before the Technological Revolution.

Did ancient people and even people in the last ~300 years like these metals solely for their ornamental appeal?

Discuss.

 

[FoBoT]

rarity

not very much of it to be found

 

[So]

Rarity.

 

[KB]

Yes they liked them for their ornamental "shiny" value and their rarity. Anything rare was important and should be hoarded.

 

[dullard]

Its eye pleasing and rare. A sign of wealth. Thus, of course people wanted it.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: edro
Gold, silver, bronze...

I can understand bronze, because at least it was used for weaponry. As for gold and silver... they are too malleable to be used for anything but jewelry and silverware.

What made early people and even people today like precious metals?

Now you know exactly how the Incas felt about the European obsession with crappy ol' gold.

 

[ballmode]

Gold has been used as a currancy since the beginning of civ.

I don't see it going away anytime soon.

Gold is a good reflector of heat too

 

[iroast]

rarity, perceived value (demand) and legacy.

 

[kingtas]

Sell all of your stocks and buy Gold. When the missiles stop flying, Gold will be king.

 

[compnovice]

One reason: WOMEN

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: dullard
Its eye pleasing and rare. A sign of wealth. Thus, of course people wanted it.

Exactly. Its a bit ridiculous, I will agree but ultimately its the same with anything in life thats associated with pleasure or stature.

Jewelry, precious metals, houses, cars, who your mate is etc etc.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: compnovice
One reason: WOMEN

Sad but true.

Men like women, women like gold, and that's all you need to know

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: compnovice
One reason: WOMEN

Sad but true.

Men like women, women like gold, and that's all you need to know

Women like things that make themselves more attractive to men, as that improves their chances to find a better mate. Gold can be made into jewelry that can help accomplish this purpose.

 

[boomerang]

Funny how everything in life comes down to sex.

Precious metals = sex.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33

Originally posted by: b0mbrman

Originally posted by: compnovice
One reason: WOMEN

Sad but true.

Men like women, women like gold, and that's all you need to know

Women like things that make themselves more attractive to men, as that improves their chances to find a better mate. Gold can be made into jewelry that can help accomplish this purpose.

What the hell part of "that's all you need to know" don't you freakin' understand?!?! :|

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: boomerang
Funny how everything in life comes down to sex.

Precious metals = sex.

I coudln't think of anything to disprove this.

Maybe this is a start of a new game? 10 degrees of sex?

Laser > Computer mouse > computer > internet > pr0n

 

[StevenYoo]

Gold is very corrosion resistant. the stuff is shiny and lasts forever, which is why we still have gold artifacts from like Greece and stuff.

I guess the ancient moneymakers realized this combination of rarity and stability and decided to use it as money

 

[mordantmonkey]

because women like shiny things. as for why women are precious... ask your dad.

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: edro
Did ancient people and even people in the last ~300 years like these metals solely for their ornamental appeal?

Discuss.

Absolutely. See these metals don't "rust". And if you look at ancient cultures they were very much into jewelry. Whether carved shells, beads, lots of stuff really.

Because the metals are attractive (don't corrode) and rare, they became highly sought after and very valuable in trade (the currency of the period).

Fern

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: boomerang
Funny how everything in life comes down to sex.

Precious metals = sex.

I coudln't think of anything to disprove this.

Maybe this is a start of a new game? 10 degrees of sex?

Laser > Computer mouse > computer > internet > pr0n

Yes, the desire pass on one's seed and ensure that seed prospers could indirectly explain a lot of things...

 

[boomerang]

Originally posted by: Kelvrick

Originally posted by: boomerang
Funny how everything in life comes down to sex.

Precious metals = sex.

I coudln't think of anything to disprove this.

Maybe this is a start of a new game? 10 degrees of sex?

Laser > Computer mouse > computer > internet > pr0n

See! :laugh:

 

[BrownTown]

well, depending on your definition of precious metals there are several usefull metals that are reall expensive due to rarity. I bet you could get many billion dollars for a 10kg hunk of plutonium.

 

[StevenYoo]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: edro
Did ancient people and even people in the last ~300 years like these metals solely for their ornamental appeal?

Discuss.

Absolutely. See these metals don't "rust". And if you look at ancient cultures they were very much into jewelry. Whether carved shells, beads, lots of stuff really.

Because the metals are attractive (don't corrode) and rare, they became highly sought after and very valuable in trade (the currency of the period).

Fern

stop stealing my answers.

 

[tweakmm]

You don't like shiny things?

 

[Amused]

Gold is impossible to counterfeit, is limited in it's availability and never tarnishes, corrodes or rusts.

Which to this day still explains it's appeal as an investment and why so many wish to return to using gold as currency.