Family heirlooms changing fortunes in India

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Gold hidden away in lockers for generations are now fetching rural people fortunes. Selling heavy bangles, necklaces and earrings are helping farmers tide by in these tough times.
Others are relying on the recycling trade to polish up their heirlooms in an effort to make some money from them. The potential for recycling gold in India is phenomenal. 1.2 billion people are estimated to have stored about 20,000 tonnes of gold in the form of jewellery, coins and bars, according to the World Gold Council. That makes it three times the holdings of the U.S. Federeal Reserve.
It is estimated that the supply of recycled gold in India will hit 300 tonnes in 2012. This is five times more than 2011 and the highest in a decade. As people bring out their heirlooms, the refining and polishing industry also records an all time high.

(Based on Zdnet.com)