Lessons on Recycling Silver and Gold from Watching Downton Abbey
We don’t know whether you are a big fan of the television series Downton Abbey. But whether you love the show or not, we have noticed that it teaches some valuable lessons for those of us who profit from recycling precious metals. The creators of the show seem to have invested extra effort in historical accuracy, showing wealthy people as they really lived a century ago. Most of the lessons Downton Abbey teaches apply to recycling silver, with fewer applying to recycling gold.
Lesson One: A Century Ago, Silver Was Used Nearly Everywhere in Wealthy Houses
Back then, it was a utilitarian metal, not a valuable or a collectible one. If you watch an episode of Downton Abbey and keep your eyes open, you notice that silver is being used:
In-home decorations like candlesticks and candelabras
In silverware on dining tables
In serving dishes and platters, which can be seen just about everywhere
In napkin rings and other table items that are no longer as popular now
On the handles of walking sticks and other personal items
Silver was apparently used just about everywhere a century ago in wealthy homes. That helps explain why antique silver items are widely available today.
Lesson Two: Gold and Other Jewelry Was Worn Often, and More Casually than It Is Today
If you watch scenes in Downton Abbey, you will see that jewelry and other adornments were worn not only when a wealthy person was heading out for the evening, but nearly all the time, like when taking a stroll, hunting, or simply heading off for a day trip. Here are some lessons we can learn from the show:
Jewelry was worn much more often in years past, so antique costume and other jewelry remains relatively easy to find today
More kinds of jewelry were in use – yes, there were the rings, bracelets and necklace chains that are still popular today, but also elaborate brooches, pins, and even odd pieces like tiaras and military medals
People might have been less careful about protecting and storing jewelry, as we see when certain characters in Downton Abbey just toss their jewelry into dresser drawers or hand them to servants to be put away
What Larger Lessons Can We Learn?
Be on the outlook for older silverware, which can still be obtained in large quantities because it was once so popular
Remember that silver items made more than about 100 years ago are more likely to be solid sterling silver than similar items made more recently, which are more likely to be silver-plated
When cleaning out older pieces of furniture, be sure to inspect them carefully for small items of jewelry that might have been lost in them
Take a close look at heirlooms you might have inherited from your family, which might be made of sterling silver or karat gold
You Might Not Be an English Aristocrat, But You Can Still Profit in Precious Metals
No matter what kind of gold scrap, silver scrap, platinum scrap or other items or scrap you collect, give our precious metal consultants a call at 800-426-2344 to discuss how you can make a profit from your investments. Downton Abbey is an exciting show but profiting from investing in precious metals is even more exhilarating.