On the internet, investing is a trending search term. More and more people are turning to sensible investments to safeguard their savings against inflation and earn passive incomes. The vast majority of people’s first instinct when investing is to put their money in stocks, shares, and even cryptocurrencies. However, gold is a much more stable long-term investment than these things. It is overlooked by most amateur investors because it is traditional, and therefore, uncool. Investing isn’t about being cool or fashionable however, it’s about making money. Here is some information explaining how gold can do just that:

Gold Production

Gold minerals form in the rocks around volcanoes. Studies show that due to how gold is formed, there is only a finite amount of gold in the world. Academics estimate there are little more than 50,000 tons left to be discovered. The fact that gold is only available in finite amounts makes it a lot more desirable. People are willing to pay more for it because it is running out. One day there will be no more gold to be discovered naturally, meaning individuals who have built sizable collections of it will stand to make a lot of money.

Global Mining

All around the world, gold is mined. Most gold mines are in Africa. It should be noted that due to the material’s demand miners are overworked and underpaid. The gold mining industry is fraught with abuse and slavery. The same is also true for cobalt and diamond mining. If you are buying gold try to ensure it comes from an ethical mine. However, this is hard to do. Most manufacturers do not publish the names of the mines they source their gold.

Precious Commodity

Gold is one of the world’s most precious commodities. It is for this reason that it is one of the best investments you can make. If you are planning on investing in gold then it is a good idea to explore other precious metals besides gold. Silver can be just as good an investment, as can platinum. As an investor, you should always be searching for ways to make money. Therefore, do not put all of your money into gold. Try to diversify and invest in other precious metals like those that have just been mentioned.

Perfect Investment

Gold is one of the best investments you can make. As mentioned in the previous section you should always be looking for ways to diversify. Unless you find stable investments, your  portfolio will diminish in value. If you are unsure how to approach professional investment then it’s a good idea to hire a manager. An investment manager will be able to make suggestions that you can use to increase the value of your portfolio – you may also want to branch into things like stocks and shares. Many investors hyperfocus on specific things; it is always good to diversify and spread money around.

Retains Value

Value retention is one of the most important considerations you need to make when you are searching for things to put your money into. This particular material retains its value very well. Even if your investment does not appreciate significantly, it will at least hold onto its value, meaning you can release equity at any point. Inflation is on the rise right now. Putting money into things like gold can be the best way to protect yourself. Do you really want to lose all of your money to inflation? Many unprepared amateurs have been in the past and will continue to be in the future.

Widely Available

The wide availability of this material makes it a great investment for first-timers. While research does need to go into gold, investors do not need to spend weeks and months studying as they do when they are interested in pursuing stock trading. Gold’s value holds up very well, as mentioned previously. It can also be found almost everywhere, meaning investors do not have to search hard; they can go into their local town centre, find a store, and pick up as much as they need. Gold can also be purchased from the government at a discounted rate.

Different Qualities

One of the most important things for interested investors to know is that there are different qualities, or carats, of gold. If you are interested in putting money into it then experts recommend buying the highest carat you can, 24. 24-carat gold is the most expensive, as it is the purest. It is not a good material for making jewellery out of, however, so you will need to buy pure bars rather than jewellery. Jewellery tends only to be available in 12-, 14- and 18-carat gold. These materials are a lot sturdier due to the fact they are mixed with other metals.

Multiple Applications

If you are interested in gold, then it’s important that you take the time to learn about its applications. There are many applications for this material, commercially and industrially. Most people are only aware of the fact that it is used to make jewellery. However, there are many other uses for it besides that. Learning about what it is used for will then help you to know when a good time to sell your gold is. If a specific industry is picking up a lot of popularity, and in that industry, gold is used, you can begin selling your holdings for a profit.

Panning Gold

One of the best things about this material is that you do not necessarily need to buy it, you can find it. In certain parts of the world, you can make a fortune panning for gold, looking for gold nuggets in streams and rivers. In America, panning for gold is one of the most popular pastimes there is. It has been practised for hundreds of years. If you are planning on panning, then make sure you do your research and get the best equipment that you can. Find good locations too.

To make money from gold you don’t have to be an expert. You just have to understand that the material is very desirable, due to its wide range of applications. Ideally, you should be investing in the highest quality gold you can. Do not make the mistake of thinking 14-carat gold will retain its value as 24-carat will.