The pattern is quite predictable. Uncertainty and instability, whether economic, social or political, drive up the price of precious metals. This is a historic fact. Much like an archeologist can look at ancient sedimentary strata and infer that certain things happened relative to the composition of these layers; we can look at a precious metal chart alone and verify that peaks in the graph indeed correspond to various geopolitical commotions that occurred at those points in time.
Some things in the ‘general market of everything’ hold greater value and appeal than others. Technologies change, fads come and go, and styles evolve to reflect the consumers they target. There are also certain ‘fixed points’ in these markets – goods that are equally desirable, if not more so, at any given time.
Silver has been valued as a precious metal throughout history. Used in many pre-modern monetary systems as currency, it also sports value in jewelry, industrial and commercial applications and medical science, and has always been a staple of investment endeavors. The value of silver fluctuates in relation to economic conditions and market variables, but it has always persevered through good times and bad alike.