Who buys "SUPER-expensive" flutes?

[Octopus]

Hello!
Here a little story:
I played for a good while on my old Muramatsu ADDN (which corresponds to the EX now). After some years I bought a Faulisi 18K headjoint which notably improved the sound.
Some monthes ago, I decided that with 30-35 concerts every year I really deserved a better intrument, and puchased a gorgeous Burkart pure silver (called "silver 998"). I tested it in concert only five days later, although I was not at all used to the instrument. You can hear the difference beetwen "before" and "after" here:
http://my.zikinf.com/demonstration
Now I'm ashamed of all my "old" recordings, and shouldn't show it to anybody!...
Octopus

[cflutist]

According to todays market quotes:
Ounces used for measuring precious metals are troy ounces (1.09711oz)

Silver: $16.18/oz (99.9% pure silver - Fine Silver)
Gold: $892.80/oz (this is for 24K)
Platinum: $1554.00/oz

Yes, there really is that big of a difference.


9K gold is 37.5% 24K gold
14K gold is 58.5% 24K gold
20K gold is 83% 24K gold

My Yamaha is sterling silver, which is 92.5% silver. You can see why other flutes made of 95.8% silver or higher are more expensive.

Gold is above $1600/oz now. Silver above $30.
Have noticed the prices of handmade instruments increasing.