How To Buy Gold
If you’re looking to buy gold, you don’t have to convert your walk-in closet into a tiny Fort Knox. In fact, the only storage you may need is an investment account.
How to Buy Physical Gold
Gold Bars
Gold bars—more commonly known as bullion—are a popular choice for people looking to buy gold. Bullion is typically sold by gram or ounce, and the purity, manufacturer and weight should be stamped on the face of the bar.
Purity is very important when buying gold: Investment-quality gold bars must be at least 99.5% pure gold. This is especially critical if you’re hoping to store bars in a gold IRA; less pure gold, unless it’s a specifically pre-approved gold coin, cannot be held in an IRA.
You can buy gold bars from dealers, individuals or online from sites like JMBullion, the American Precious Metals Exchange (APMEX) or SD Bullion. And keep in mind that you may be on the hook for delivery fees—plus insurance—to assure the safe transport of your bullion.
Gold Coins
Gold coins, like the American Gold Eagle or Canadian Maple Leaf, are popular collector items. This collector aspect means you’ll pay a premium over what you would for the same amount of gold held in bar form. In addition, coins typically have lower gold content than gold bars. A one-ounce American Eagle coin, for instance, is only 91.67% gold. In fact, the coin weighs 1.1 ounces, approximately one ounce of which is pure gold; the rest of the weight is silver and copper.
You can buy gold coins through dealers, pawnshops and individual sellers that you trust. If you choose to buy your gold coins online, make sure to go through a dealer listed in the U.S. Mint’s database. Whether you buy your gold coins in-person or online, you don’t want to waste money on forgeries or gold that’s less pure than you’re led to believe.
Jewelry
Jewelry, especially antique pieces that likely have a higher gold content, can provide another avenue for purchasing gold. But keep in mind that like gold coins, you’ll probably be paying extra for the amount of gold you’re actually getting. (It may be anywhere from 20% to 300%, depending on the manufacturer.)
In addition, keep in mind that not all that glitters is gold. Manufacturers use alloying to combine gold with other metals to make their pieces more durable or adjust their color. Here’s how gold quality (measured in karats) correlates with purity.
As with coins, you’ll want to be extra careful when buying gold jewelry. Make sure the person you purchase your jewelry from is reputable. You might start with jewelers who are members of the Jewelers of America and have signed a code of professional conduct requiring them to be honest and forthcoming about the nature of their pieces.
You’ll want to make sure you have as much documentation as possible so you’re able to attest to the quality of your gold when you resell it.
Factors to Consider When Buying Physical Gold
If you decide to buy physical gold, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:
Storage: Physical gold requires a secure storage location. While you can certainly keep your gold at home, many investors prefer a custodian. Make sure you research secure options for storing your gold before you buy it, and keep in mind that safe storage adds costs to your gold investment.
Insurance: If you decide to store your gold at home, you should insure your gold to protect yourself against theft or natural disaster. This can add to the cost of your homeowners or renters insurance. And even if you don’t keep your gold at home, you’ll want to check in on your storage provider’s insurance policy to determine how it’s protecting your investment.
Manufacturer: Because you’re making an investment, you’ll want to make sure you’re buying from reputable sources that will help your purchase’s value grow over time. When buying gold, look for respected producers like Credit Suisse, the Perth Mint and the Royal Canadian Mint.
Purity: The gold content in the coin, bar or piece of jewelry has a big impact on its value and worth as an investment tool. Ensure any gold you purchase as an investment has the purity level to help it stand the test of time. That means you’re probably targeting gold items that are at least 91%, if not 99%, pure.
Is Gold a Good Investment?
If you’re looking to strike it rich with a modern-day gold rush, you’re probably in the wrong place. Over the past five years, gold’s price increased by approximately 36% while the S&P 500 increased by 104% during that same period. So why all the hype?
Because some view gold as a safe haven from inflation and extreme market dips. For instance, during the 2007-2008 bear market, the overall stock market plunged 33%. Gold, meanwhile, only fell 2%.
That said, gold prices can be very volatile, meaning gold isn’t an entirely (or even mainly) safe investment. In fact, you can easily craft a well-diversified investment portfolio without gold entirely.
But if you want some of that golden gleam in your investment account, aim for it to occupy only a small percentage of your investing dollars.