Is gold and/or silver a worthy* investment?

* = Not as in the popular libertarian sentiment that it'll outpace the stock market. By "worthy," I mean a tangible, shiny rock that happens to be a deposit of value.

Any additional appreciation would just be a bonus. Because the main reason I'd consider "investing" in it, is that I just think it's pretty. I've even heard of this company that sells silver bullion with illustrations of scantily-clad women on them, which I think is a bit...idiosyncratic? Anyway, shiny rock.