ratsharp

Gold's Value In the 21st Century: About As Real As the Myth of El Dorado

the reality of gold in india is that it serves as a common denominator during marriages. As long as traditional marriage system exists , the need for gold will. Since the benefit of the economic boom is accruing to the nouveau rich, their instinct as naive investors and consumer is to opt for gold.
The upper rich and the traditional hoarders of gold do consume gold ( only as investment) ... men always wore a gold chain ..( usually nothing more) ..older women still wear it ( sometimes overdo it) ... but the interesting part is that the current gen has little or no interest in the ornamental value ...as they move to diamonds/ruubies./gems etc.
net: the demand for gold will continue , peak as the developing countries grow and then taper off to the lows.
the gold standard et al is past .. the future standard will require assets . and it could be other alternative assets ( a small part of which will be gold) . The only reason when i see the stratosphere of gold is when the supply concentration shifts evenly between central banks and the so called "retail". thats the crucial turning point.