Gold Investment Tips

For centuries, gold has remained a precious and treasured commodity - one that has held men and women in its splendor and glitter. But have you considered investing in gold or looked at gold investment as part of your investment plan? Gold as an investment has been resorted by the wealthy families in Europe and Asia for centuries. Precious metals are a good investment opportunity as they are portable and compact. Read up our tips on gold investment.

Investing in Gold

Gold prices have seen an upward trend in the past 3 years. Though the earlier decades saw a relatively poor performance by the precious metal, gold prices are likely to rise steadily over the longer term. This investment opportunity is showing an upswing again. With uncertainty in the stock market and decline in the US dollar, investors are taking a fresh look at gold as an investment option. Gold works as a perfect hedge against investment in other assets.

In fact, when other investments take a beating, gold investment tends to stabilize. As a long term investor, holding on to gold investment is a good tip. When you are planning to invest in gold, it would be wise to consult an investment consultant. He can help you match your investment goals with the right type of gold purchase. An investment firm can aid in making the right choice of gold investment products so as to hedge your portfolio.

Gold bullion coins work well for those who want to capitalize on price movements of the precious metal. It is prudent to buy gold when its prices are low. But sometimes getting the right price may not be that easy. The same holds good for selling too. A buyer should not look at merely the price of the gold investment but its percentage over the gold price or the premium.

Gold investment options

Bullion coins are an excellent investment option. You can go in for the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Britannia or the Australian Nugget. The American Eagle Gold coins were minted first in 1986 and hold pride of place as the world's leading gold coin investment option. These gold coins are struck in 22 karat gold with the total weight as stamped on the reverse of the coin. Silver and copper are also used so as to protect the gold finish. Special dyes are used to strike these gold coins to ensure that minute details are visible.

Such American Gold Eagles can be bought at dealers of precious metals and coins. You can buy them at the prevailing price of gold and a premium for distribution costs. Gold coins are universally recognized and can be easily sold. The South African Krugerrand was the first gold bullion coin that was marketed as an investment opportunity. The one-ounce Kruggerand gold bullion coin is extremely popular.

• Gold bars are another investment option. Smaller bars cost more as the premium is low on larger bars. But resale of big bars is not easy. Gold coins are available at lower premiums as compared to gold bars.
  
  
• Gold certificates are titles for a stipulated amount of gold. You can take physical delivery of the gold or trade on it through the certificates. Another scheme is to go in for a gold accumulation plan - one that allows you to buy gold for a fixed sum each month. This allows you to benefit from acquiring it at a market average price.
  
  
• Gold accounts can be started with major banks. Typically those speculating in gold usually resort to this sort of account with commodity brokers or private bankers.
  
  
• Gold mining shares are another method of investing in gold, though not directly. Increase in gold bullion prices will lead to an increase in gold mining share prices - On this premise, many investors take up gold mining shares.

Preserve gold bars and bullion coins in the original mint packaging. Since it is soft, mint-fresh gold is easily subject to scratches from rough surfaces. Careful handling and preserving can go a long way in getting the best price during a resale.