It’s a new year. Time to think about prospective investments. In case you haven’t heard, gold is the real deal. Recently we've experienced an upswing that looks like it’s going to hold. Of course, gold has always been a safe investment.

All gold, any shape and form of the shiny stuff, has some intrinsic value—it always has. A symbol of power and wealth since way back when, gold has been one of the most coveted metals for centuries. The Incas covered temple walls with it, the Egyptians buried their precious dead in it, and thousands of our ancestors risked life, limb and scalp scrambling feverishly across the American continent for it.

From the beginning, gold has been used for personal adornment. It was a sign of status and a mode of manipulation, but it was also, quite simply, pretty. Some of the earliest gold jewelry dates back to ancient civilizations. We’re talking 3000 B.C.! Ancient Egyptian jewelers began experimenting with gold and developed some of the techniques still used today. Suddenly, every body part in Egypt, and eventually in Greece, flaunted the stuff. Other cultures followed suit and gold established its value. It was obvious that those with the power had the gold—or maybe it was the other way around!

Today, jewelry fabrication is the cornerstone of the gold market (it annually consumes all newly mined gold). Jewelry is certainly an emotional investment, but it's also a conservative, safe investment. Understand, you’re not going to build an enviable investment portfolio by investing in just jewelry. But, you should know that it’s not a bad idea to have some around. Think of it as wearable insurance.

You may be saying to yourself, “OK, if I’m going to invest in gold, then I’m just going to stock up on those heavy bars.” Not a bad idea. But who enjoys wearing an ingot around their neck? Ick and ouch! The lump-o-gold may be a better deal, but you’re missing out on enjoying the wearable form of your investment. Comparing the value of a piece of gold jewelry to a gold bar is like comparing a Picasso to the intrinsic value of the canvas and the paint. Why not enjoy the value and the beauty?

There are several reasons why gold, and gold jewelry for that matter, is a safe investment:

It’s Stable — Gold holds its value. It’s managed to keep up with inflation during the last 200 years. For example, a suit for King Henry VIII in 16th century England cost the equivalent of one ounce of gold—roughly the same that a good suit costs today.

It’s Safe — Historically, people have relied on gold and other “compact and portable” investments as safety nets during economic or social troubles. Americans hoarded gold during the Depression, fearful that the US dollar was going up in smoke. Speaking of smoke, gold won’t burn.

It’s Emotional — Jewelry often commemorates special events or milestones. This makes it a valuable inheritance, both sentimentally and monetarily. Women especially love passing something both valuable and cherished through the generations, appreciating its appreciation.

Pihder wrote nearly 2500 years ago: "Gold is the child of Zeus, neither moth nor rust devoureth it." Wear it or leave it in the safe; either way, it's timeless and enduring.

Gold Market Links
www.KitCo.com
www.nationaljeweler.com
www.goldnewsweekly.com
www.gold.org

Ready to invest in some gold? Just look in the upper right hand corner to find a jeweler near you!