141: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton - Episode 141

141: Saving with Steve with Steve Sexton - Episode 141

What drives someone to seek a life without financial stress? This episode of UK Health Radio’s "Saving with Steve" looks at a surprising source of stability: the gold jewellery quietly gathering dust in drawers. Steve Sexton chats with Unvault co-founder Nidhi Singhvi, who grew up in India seeing gold as "a source of wealth, source of power" and later worked across asset classes in finance.

Together, they talk about how AI is being used to turn forgotten jewellery into a clearly understood asset, and why that matters for anyone trying to build a more secure future. You’ll hear how Unvault’s system uses simple photos of your jewellery, reads hallmarks like "750" for 18 karat gold, and breaks each piece into components to estimate value in seconds.

As Nidhi explains, "gold is truly a superior asset" and there may be far more sitting at home than people think, with their report suggesting "$750 billion of gold in American homes, in drawers." The conversation also lifts the lid on common mistakes: confusing insurance appraisals with resale value, overestimating diamonds while underestimating gold, and accepting low offers from pawn shops or mall jewellers without asking questions.

Nidhi points out that gold jewellery can be broken and still hold full metal value, making it a practical option when cash is tight. Steve links this hidden wealth to wider financial pressures, like collapsing savings rates, and stresses the importance of having data and a plan before you’re forced into desperate decisions.

The tone stays light and relatable, with funny mentions of "ugly" inherited pieces and weekly "power users" who keep checking their gold values, but the message is clear: knowing what you own is part of a healthier relationship with money. If you’ve got a jewellery box you haven’t opened in years, could it be part of your financial safety net?