Gold Bar Basics

There are 1 gram gold bars available today in the market which is identified as a novelty gift.

Let us first talk about the basic information about what are gold bars, there types, and its standard weight. What is a gold bar?

These are refined metallic gold that comes in any shape made by a bar producer which in turn follows the standard conditions such as manufacture, labeling, and record keeping. Larger bars are called ingots which are produced by pouring the molten metal into a mold while the smaller bars are made by stamping rolled gold sheets.

Gold reserves that are kept in Central Banks are standard gold bars and traded by a bullion dealer weighing about 12.4 kilograms or 438.9 ounces.

A kilo bar consisting of 1000 grams is the extensively used in trading and investment and are mostly shaped flat although there are some investors who prefers the brick shape.

What are the types?

They are basically classified into two types based on the method of manufa.

There are 1 gram bars available today in the market which is identified as novelty gift.

Let us first talk about the basic information about what are these, there types, and its standard weight.


What is a gold bar? 


These are refined metallic gold that comes in any shape made by a bar producer which in turn follows the standard conditions such as manufacture, labeling, and record keeping. Larger bars are called ingots which are produced by pouring the molten metal into a mold while the smaller bars are made by stamping rolled gold sheets.

Gold reserves that are kept in Central Banks are standard gold bars and traded by a bullion dealer weighing about 12.4 kilograms or 438.9 ounces.

A kilo bar consisting of 1000 grams is the extensively used in trading and investment and are mostly shaped flat although there are some investors who prefers the brick shape.


What are the types of bar? 


It is basically classified into two types based on the method of manufacturing: casted and minted although there are more than 30 types of gold bars circulating in the world's gold market today.

Casted means they are manufactured by pouring the molten gold into an ingot mold while minted means that they are hand cut to its required dimensions from gold blanks or flat piece of gold. The markings found in bars are usually applied through pressing.

There is a new form of bar that consists of a small ingot with 1 - 20 grams of gold bar which is called the Chip Gold. They are about the same size of a credit card and are packed sealed and certified.


What are its standard bar weight?

Troy ounces are used to measure gold bars in which one troy is equivalent to 31.1034768 grams. However, in countries that used the imperial measures opt to use avoirdupois ounce which measures the weight. Avoirdupois ounce is lighter than troy which is equivalent to 28.349523125 grams.

Nonetheless, those bars that are held in Central banks which are internationally traded and considered as standard is also identified as the Good Delivery bar and normally weighs about 400 ounce. Nevertheless, the precise content gold varies from 350 to 450 ounce, with a minimum purity requirement of 99.5% gold. These bars are stored in recognized and secured bullion vaults in order to maintain quality.

Tola is the traditional Indian way to measure the weight of gold and is up to this present used by many international gold manufacturers. Tola bars are supplied in 999.96% purity.

The largest gold bar in the world weighs about 250 kilogram with the following measurement 45.5 centimeter x 22.5 centimeter x 17 centimeters. It is displayed at the Toi gold mine last July 11, 2005 and valued at 400 million yen or approximately $3,684,000 in U.S. dollar at that time.

Today, 1 gram "novelty" gold bars are minted and are commonly used for gift market. They are often sold in coated plastic.

cturing: casted and minted although there are more than 30 types of gold bars circulating in the world's gold market today. Casted means they are manufactured by pouring the molten gold into an ingot mold while minted means that they are hand cut to its required dimensions from gold blanks or flat piece of gold. The markings found in bars are usually applied through pressing.

There is a new form of bar that consists of a small ingot with 1 - 20 grams of gold bar which is called the Chip Gold. They are about the same size of a credit card and are packed sealed and certified.


What are its standard bar weight?

Troy ounces are used to measure gold bars in which one troy is equivalent to 31.1034768 grams. However, in countries that used the imperial measures opt to use avoirdupois ounce which measures the weight. Avoirdupois ounce is lighter than troy which is equivalent to 28.349523125 grams.

Nonetheless, those gold bullions that are held in Central banks which are internationally traded and considered as standard is also identified as the Good Delivery bar and normally weighs about 400 ounce. Nevertheless, the precise content gold varies from 350 to 450 ounce, with a minimum purity requirement of 99.5% gold. These bars are stored in recognized and secured bullion vaults in order to maintain quality.

Tola is the traditional Indian way to measure the weight of gold and is up to this present used by many international gold manufacturers. Tola bars are supplied in 999.96% purity.

The largest gold bar in the world weighs about 250 kilogram with the following measurement 45.5 centimeter x 22.5 centimeter x 17 centimeters. It is displayed at the Toi gold mine last July 11, 2005 and valued at 400 million yen or approximately $3,684,000 in U.S. dollar at that time.

Today, 1 gram "novelty" gold bars are minted and are commonly used for gift market. They are often sold in coated plastic.

Norbert Zuendorf, a gold bar expert, provides information and sells high quality gold bars through AuAg999-US Inc. The website http://www.1gramgoldbar.com is for both gold bars and valuable information.

How To Buy Gold And Silver

There are many mistakes made by the new investor who simply want to know how to buy gold and silver which is genuine and safe. Here are the three most common:

Mistake No.1 - Following The Crowd

When new investors see large numbers of people rushing to buy gold, they follow. With everyone just blindly following the herd without any knowledge or understanding as to why they are buying at that moment, it's a great gamble and they would need a good dose of luck.

Before following the crowd you have to do your own research and check that this is actually the right time to buy. Usually when there is a rush or panic, it is because it is too late in the day, they've already missed the boat. So always be prepared and acquire enough knowledge to establish whether these followers are like lamb to the slaughter or really onto a good thing.

Mistake No. 2 - Buying gold coins from the first seller they come across

When new investors are ready to buy and especially if they are panic buying, will have a tendency to buy gold coins from the first dealer they come across.

Also, not knowing that there are varies ways and forms with which they can acquire and own their gold. There are so many companies out there selling gold and silver, can you tell the difference between the reputable ones and the downright dishonest scammers. Gold and silver investing is a game of knowledge, understanding and patience, so if you haven't got any of these prerequisites then you're in for a rough ride.

So, before buying, it's inevitable that you need to ramp up your knowledge, beware of the scams. Here are a few of them:

Counterfeit numismatic coins:

This is where the gold is substituted with cheap metal, this is done so cleverly that the untrained eye will never be able to tell the difference. Online you will find the "certified and "slabbed coins" which are supposed to be securely encased but they are cleverly removed from their slabs and replaced with coins of lesser value.

Pyramid Schemes:

This is where you are required to sign up with an initial large outlay and a continuity program as well trying to get your friends, family, all and sundry to join up, much like free marketing for the company involved. May work for some, but for the majority, all they want is to own their own genuine physical gold without all the added hassle.

Commercial Advertisements

Running these types of ads in magazines or on TV, are usually very expensive and customers are expected to pick up the tab. On top of this there is usually a time lapse between writing up of the ad and when the actual ad is aired or printed, which means the real price of the gold or silver becomes insignificant. This is much like a silly game for the unsuspecting new investor. Don't pay attention to any of these ads.

This is a small list of many, so don't get caught out, do your research.

Mistake No. 3 - No Due Diligence

This is where most people go badly wrong, they decide they just want to go ahead and do it without knowing any of the options, the pitfalls, the possible risks and scam artists. It is vitally important to have a thorough understanding of what you're doing, who you should buy from, when to buy, when to sell and to be aware of the possible risks.

Read books, learn the history, scan what the experts are doing and saying, stay abreast of the price fluctuations and watch how the world economy is behaving or shall I say misbehaving.

Visit http://www.goldandsilverinvestments.co.uk for more tips and tools on how to buy gold and silver.

Why Buy Gold - Reasons For Investing in Gold

People have been asking the question a lot lately, because so many more people seem to be investing their wealth in precious metals like gold and silver. You've probably seen lots of ads on television and online for gold buyers and sellers. This is because the market for gold and silver is in a period of incredible growth. This is due to several reasons, and in this article we'll take a brief look at the main reasons the gold trade is doing so well. We'll also go over how you can take advantage of this opportunity yourself.

The economic turmoil in the United States over the last several years has caused a lot of fluctuations in the value of many things. But why buy gold when there are so many other options? The stock market crash sent stocks plummeting, the housing bubble left many homes bereft of value, but gold has continued to rise for almost a decade. In fact, while the value of United States dollar decreased by well over thirty percent between 2001 and 2004, plunging over five percent in a matter of weeks, gold has actually been steadily increasing. While many investors who played the stock market were wiped out in the crash in early 2000 and have only now begun to recover, the value of gold and silver has actually increased about forty percent during the same period.

Why buy gold instead of other material investments, then? Precious metals retain their value regardless of the economic state of any given country. They are used as a standard (hence the creation of the "gold standard") of wealth, and by investing in gold you give yourself an increased level of financial security. In a world where sudden events like terrorist attacks can cause sudden economic upheaval and even shut down trading markets for periods of time, gold is a good way to make sure your wealth is secure and insured.

But why buy gold now? Economic specialists predict that the value of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and even palladium will continue to increase over the course of the next several years. Precious metals have shown that they provide the best investment returns when they are purchased while the market is still booming, and right now the market is certainly booming. In fact, the best time to invest is before the economy fully recovers, because the price of gold will peak when the demand for it is lowered.

About this Author

Michael MacDonald is an online publisher providing great tips on why buy gold. To learn more about this topic, visit http://www.YourGoldGuy.com or  http://www.make-money-gold.com today!

Buy Gold Coins - The Best Types of Gold Coins to Buy

Gold has always held a unique fascination with people.

Even if you are not a collector of gold related pieces you have still bought some at one point or another in your life. Whether you have bought gold jewelry, gold coins, or even a small bar of gold there is usually a nice upside to it.

Gold seems to be on the rise right now. Prices per ounce are at an all time high and are only projected to go up. A great way to get yourself invested in gold is to see out and purchase gold coins.

Gold coins are near the top-if not already at the top of most every collectors list of items to buy. There are a few reasons for this...

1. Gold coins usually only grow in value and at the very least they don't lose value.

2. Gold coins are like pieces of history, collectors get their hands on them and feel they are a part of history.

3. It is gold! Gold coins outshine all other coins and are very coveted because they are so sought after.

When trying to determine what coins you should really go after it can be difficult. There are hundreds of different gold coins in the world and most of them are highly sought after. That being said I have put together a list of 10 of the most prized and sought after gold coins. This list may differ from other lists and the list is not in any order. The following coins are proven collectors items and the value they possess is unmatched by other coins.

Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle

This gold coin known as the "Saint", has over the years assumed a very high place in the hearts of collectors worldwide. Most collectors and issuers consider this coin to be the greatest gold coin ever issued. The coin is named after its designer, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, who was in major player in U.S. sculpture. Also known as the $20 gold piece it is a reflection of old Greek art. While not as pricey as some of the other coins, it holds a distinction over other coins in its beautiful and sought after layout and design. Expect to pay between $550-$1000 for this classic piece.

Indian Head Eagle

This coin was originally rolled out in 1907. The Indian Head Eagle or $10 gold piece, is a gorgeous piece of work and has earned the right to be on every collectors list. In high mint grades this coin would run around $600 but in lower mint grades from 1908 to 1933 you can purchase one without any major defects for around $400.

Capped Bust Eagle

The Capped Bust series of eagles only lasted for about a decade yet it remains one of the more poplar finds among collectors. It is said that the entire montage for the series was only about 65,000. The Capped Bust series has a very appealing design with the right-facing bust of Liberty on the front and either a small eagle or heraldic eagle on the back. A collector can expect to pay anywhere from $2,800-$11,000 on this coin, depending on the grade.

Indian Head Gold Piece

Between 1854-1889 there was a series of $3 gold pieces issued. The mintage's of these coins were very low, usually under 10,000 and in some cases under 1,000. This in turn (along with the interesting Princess design) makes these coins even more sought after. Tough these coins are not for the low budget buyer they are in fact still worthy of the price. Expect to pay anywhere from $4,000-$10,000. Considering the rarity of the coin it is a very good investment.

Panama-Pacific Commemorative Quarter Eagle
This coin is one on the list that has a direct connection to what it commemorates, which in many collectors eyes makes finding this coin even more significant. The 5 coins were released for the Panama-Pacific Exposition which marked one of the most important events in U.S. history, the completion of the Panama Canal. Depending on the grade you can expect to pay between $3,000 to upwards of $15,000 -- another reason you should buy gold coins before the price rises even more.

Proof Gold Coinage
These $20 gold coins are not only beautiful but also rare. Only 35 coins were made with the date and this particular proof coin is considered the Rolls Royce of gold coins. For the high-end buyer, expect to pay between $9,000 and $35,000 for a chance to own one of these proofs.

Augustus Humbert Eagle
Humbert was responsible for a series of gold coins and his $50 "slugs" seem to get the most attention. Collectors enjoy this coin as it has a significant story to tell, coming directly out of the gold rush in 1849. It tells a little about the rush as one of the most important pieces of American history when it comes to gold. Pricing was not available for this coin although a original $50 gold piece would be worth thousand upon thousands today.

Liberty Head Eagle
Sometime designated as the Coronet Eagles, these coins were issued as part of American life for over 75 years. Though minted for a long period of time these cons are extremely valuable as the starting price for collectors is usually no less than $10,000. Although you may obtain a common date one for just a few hundred dollars if this is a route that interests you.

Indian Head Half Eagle
These coins are unique to other collectible coins in the fact that their main design is "incuse", or, recessed below the surface. Tis makes it more difficult for graders to grade them with constant consistency and accuracy. The Indian $5 gold piece is on the top of many collectors list and is considered one of more collectible coins of all time. While you may pay over $10,000 for a coin like this you may be able to find a steal for a few hundred because of the grading difficulty.

Liberty Head Double Eagle
The Liberty Head $20 gold piece does not get the same attention as other pieces but nonetheless is still a very desirable coin. What makes it appealing is it contains a full ounce of gold and along with its size makes it an attractive piece to own. The 1857 S-type 1 is worth over $100,000 and even has a web page dedicated to its beauty. Don't fret as a collector can find lower grades from $400-$600.


Shaun Connell is a gold investor and coins collector, and offers free gold advice at his website, such as how you can tell if something is made of real gold.

How the Stock Market Today Helps the Buyers Gold Market

Today's stock market

The stock market today is extremely unreliable. The uncertainty has reached an all new high, and the august storm is yet to settle. On August 18th, every stock in the S&P 500 fell. For the first time in 70 years, the ten-year Treasury note fell below 2%. During such a time of a volatile market situation, investment with profits has become difficult. The market is predicted to only fall further, with most countries unable to cope with the prevalent economic recession. The latest trends in the banking sector have been of little help. They foretell the high possibility of dangerous times and a monetary tsunami is expected. However, money has to be kept in rotation and stagnancy doesn't help the economic crisis, both personal and otherwise. Diversifying one's wealth and protecting it from future economic meltdowns and crisis has become supremely important. The stock market today, however, greatly helps the buyers gold market. There is no better time to be part of the buyers gold market and to become a gold king.

Gold as an investment

Gold is one of the oldest and safest investment options. Being a part of the buyers market helps provide protection during inflation, deflation and fluctuations in the stock market and potential currency value decrease. Being a metal and hence a limited resource, its value has, is and will increase, unlike stocks which rise and fall in value. In this sense, it is similar to an antique collector's item. This makes the buyers gold market an ever expanding one. Over the years, the value of gold has increased exponentially. If $10,000 was invested in gold bullion in 1999, it would've grown to 38,300 by 2009, a startling 283% increase. If the same was invested in stocks of the S&P 500, there would've been a loss of 14%. In essence, any such investment would mean that one could've become a gold king! Over the past 5 years, gold prices have risen by a whopping 194.41%. Hence, the buyers market has been largely devoid of major fluctuations and losses. The price of gold is at an all-time high. Buying gold and being a part of today's buyers gold market is the safest bet for investment with profits and sizable returns.

Becoming a gold king by taking advantage of the ever-expanding buyers gold market is not an easy task. Gold is unlike any other real estate or stock investment. Manufacturers, even while running at full capacity are sometimes unable to meet demands of the buyers gold market during periods of gold surges, like in 2008-2009. Gold is unlike other consumer purchases in the sense that it can't be purchased when the need arises. Hence, waiting around for the gold prices to dip to invest in the buyers gold market is not recommended.

With almost every stock dipping in its value, and further expected market crises, there is no better time than now to invest in gold and be a part of the buyers gold market. Past statistics and market today state the final word- Invest today, become a gold king tomorrow.

Roger Clayton is a writer on forex markets, coins, gold, silver, and free market economics. He resides in Las Vegas and loves writing about getting buyers gold market information

What's the Gold Market Like?

The gold market is unique in the world of finance because gold is unique.

Much more than merely another investment, gold is an asset in its own right, a raw material, a natural resource and also a trusted store of value and medium of exchange.

Gold plays more roles in more lives than any other commodity, other than water and possibly oil.

Gold's variety of roles and broad utility mean that the gold market itself is unlike any other market.

Gold reacts differently to the economic and geopolitical factors which impact the financial markets.

For example, hyperinflation, which has historically been terrible for stocks and bonds, prompts people to seek the safe haven of gold, and gold has historically increased in value during periods of high inflation.

The same can be said for other factors:

Geopolitical crisis, such as the threat of war or sudden terrorist attacks, usually result in an increase in the price of gold. In the wake of the September 11th attacks back in 2001, US stock markets were interrupted for a week, but gold rose in value and continued to trade internationally throughout the period.

Currency crises, such as those that occurred in Mexico in 1995, Asia in 1997 and Russia in 1998, disrupt local stock markets dramatically. But in each of those instances gold increased in value dramatically, relative to those local currencies.

Banking crises, such as the one that occurred in the US in November of 2008, also are usually very bad news for the stock markets. Meanwhile, gold holds its value as people seek safe havens.

In summary, the kinds of factors which tend to make the value of stocks, bonds and other assets suffer, tend to make the value of gold increase. There are, of course, exceptions, but over the long-term this axiom has held true. Gold zigs when paper zags.

There are some other interesting aspects of the gold market that also set it apart from other markets.

For instance, there are more ways to own gold than any other asset class. You can own physical gold in the form of bullion bars, wafers or coins, such as the American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf or South African Krugerrand. You can also physically own gold in the form of rare gold coins.

For those who do not require the added security of physical gold, there are still other indirect methods of owning gold.

Some individuals choose to participate in the gold market by owning shares of companies that mine and/or refine gold. Along the same lines, mutual funds which acquire the stocks of such companies are another alternative which provides added diversification.

Gold buyers should be aware, however, that this method does not duplicate the direct ownership of gold.

There are still other methods of gold ownership.

One of the latest is the "Exchange Traded Fund" or ETF. These types of funds invest in physical gold and then turn around and sell shares which represent an undivided ownership interest in the holdings of the fund. In this way, investors can participate in movements in the price of gold, again, without the physical security of gold ownership, however.

Another widely followed method of participating in the gold market are the futures markets in which individuals can take positions in the market using leverage to participate in increases and decreases in the price of gold.

There is one final thing that sets the gold market apart:

Gold is a market that never sleeps. Gold trades around the world 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, all year long. No matter what time it is, somewhere the gold market is open and gold is trading. So, gold may close at one price in New York at the end of the trading day and open at a dramatically different price the very next morning due to action on the bourses in places like London, Paris, Zurich, Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney. No other asset or commodity is traded as widely and as actively as gold.

Copyright (c) 2010 Rod Hoss

ITM Trading offers expert service to buy gold coins including information on how to buy gold coins.

How to Invest in Gold

How to Invest in Gold and What You Need to Know....

If you want a simple answer on how to invest in gold then it really can come down to it simply being about what you're most comfortable with, the way that just sits right for you. There really are so many ways to invest in this metal that it would be difficult to prove that one way is more superior than the other.

There are some smarter moves you can make for sure when it comes to investing in this metal or any type of investment for that matter, but at the end of the day you need to make a decision. The best thing you can do is to research and find out as much as you can so you make informed decisions and can easily sleep at night with the choices you've made.

Here's a couple of ways on how to invest in this but remember there are many more to choose from if none of these feels like the right match with you and your needs.

Coin collecting is loved by many people worldwide and can be quite a fun way to invest. Researching all the different coins available and learning about their value, opening yourself up to the world of grading coins and so forth can be quite rewarding. For someone who wants to be really involved in the decision making of their investments, this could be a great match up. It can become a great and rewarding hobby.

You can simply buy pure bullion, the bars that come in various weights. You need to be able to store your bullion safely and to be aware that disposing of it, for example turning it back into cash, is not always going to be easy.

Although not considered a serious gold investors option, jewelry is another way to invest in. The quality of the jewelry is not usually that of the gold traded on a day to day basis however it's still contains some and possible some other valuable metals and does have significant value.

There are many more ways to invest in this precious metal, such as mutual funds, certificates, and mining, you really need to get a feel for all the different avenues and choose what meets all your needs.

Learn more about how to buy gold and silver [http://moneyinmetal.com/] and keep an eye on the current value of gold [http://moneyinmetal.com/current-value-of-gold/] or http://goldscamsexposed.org

The 6 Profitable Opportunities To Invest In Gold

As a commodity trader and investor in gold, I'm always on the look out for the best gold investment available out there in the market. As you know, gold is probably the best hedge against a falling dollar. The more the dollar drops, the more gold rises.

The fact that spot gold price has been breaking new highs and the US dollars breaking new lows is a testimonial that the "gold standard" is still much relevant today despite the prevalent use of fiat currencies around the world. When the central banks are flooding the market with cheap money, people always turn to the tangible value of gold as the basis for real value.

If you want to protect your wealth, it's time you start doing some gold investment. In fact, there are quite a few gold investment opportunities that can potentially give you good returns and I'll cover them here. There are basically 6 ways you can invest in gold and they are:

1. Own physical gold. In terms of pure value, nothing can beat ownership of pure gold like gold coins and bullions. The most traditional method of such precious metals investing involves buying gold coins that have been produced in government mints. These coins are legal tender and are often more expensive than other types of gold, but are sold at a low premium. Popular minted gold coins that are worth buying include one-ounce South African Krugerrands, Canadian Maple Leafs or the American Eagle gold coins.

2. Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). This is a relative new and interesting way to invest in gold. An ETF is a single gold index or stock that is backed by gold bullion holdings and is considered a moderate risk investment. There are 2 ETF that trade in the United Status that hold gold bullion as their only asset. They are the StreetTRACKS Gold Trust (symbol GLD) and the iShares COMEX Gold Trust (symbol IAU). ETF is a practical way to hold gold as part of your investment portfolio.

3. Gold Mutual Funds offer a wide range of mining stocks. This type of gold investment is usually for people who don't want to own physical gold but still want to do some precious metals investing. It provide an investor the opportunity to limit or expand their risk easily. If you want to do gold investment through mutual funds, it's better to select those funds that hold stocks in more established, well-capitalized company such as Newmont. Such "senior gold stocks" have been around for several years and usually have profitable track records as compared to fairly young companies.

4. Junior gold stocks. If you are more adventurous and has more risk appetite, you may consider this. Junior stocks are less likely to own their own production mines. They are typically in the exploration stage for gold and therefore have a great risk of loss. Compared to senior gold stocks, they may have less capital. Since most of these companies hedge on their future production, the return on these shares can be volatile and are considered high risk.

5. Gold futures. This is only for more sophisticated and experienced investor. They are one of the least expensive ways to purchase gold, but is considered higher risk. This may be the most complex of all gold investment but it is one that potentially big fortunes could be made. Having said that,the futures market is far too complex for the vast majority of investors.

6. Spot gold trading requires the least capital to begin trading and you can trade gold online. If you buy 100 troy ounces of gold coins or bullion, it'll cost you around $120,000. However,you will only need $1,200 in a margin account to begin online gold trading.

The buying of tangible asset is clearly where future value is going to lie. With China's never-ending need for resources and precious metals, the future of tangible markets is the bright spot in the gloomy financially based economics of the world. Investing in gold is a worthy consideration because you are buying real value. Many investors use gold investment to balance their portfolio. There is constant opportunities for profits. For instance, online gold trading can provide the most opportunity for gains with a minimal capital investment required.

To learn how to trade gold online successfully using a simple, time-tested and proven gold trading system, instantly download my FREE "The Golden Secret To Unlock Your Riches" ebook at [http://www.goldsilverexpert.com/freegoldreport.htm] now.

The author, Daniel Su, is a professional currency and commodity trader who provides free premium gold trading tips and resources to help traders achieve their long term financial success.

Gold Investing - 7 Levels of Risk

The choice of gold related investments continues to expand.

The amount of gearing determines the risk levels.

1. Gold Coins and Bullion are the traditional way of investing in gold and silver. Bullion coins are legal tender and free of capital gains tax. There are now a number of reliable storage facilities which guarantee security and which enable you to trade your gold holdings. GoldMoney and the Perth Mint are both excellent examples of ways to hold and trade gold and other precious metals without having to take delivery. Bullion will track the price of the metal, making it the least volatile way of holding gold. Rare gold coins can on the other hand be very volatile.

2. Gold Bullion Funds - This is a way of holding the 'virtual' metal by holding the shares of the trust. Each share is secured by gold bullion holdings which theoretically can be delivered in lieu of the shares. SPDR Gold Trust is the largest of these and has been the focus of significant buying activity by George Soros recently. And where George Soros is seen to go, many follow!

3. Gold Mutual Funds - If you prefer some gearing to your investment choices, Gold mutual funds are one of the safer ways to invest in gold stocks.There are now a wide range of gold funds, Blackrock Gold and General being one example. It has performed fantastically well since its launch in 1988 (note, near the bottom of the market) at 1 pound sterling per unit. It now stands around 11.50 sterling and has been as high as 13.50 sterling.

4. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are securities trading on the stock exchange generally tracking the underlying index. One of the most popular is Market Vectors ETF (GDX) representing the BIG Gold companies, was launched in 2006 at $37 and has been as high as $55 and as low as $15. It now stands at around $44

5. Higher risk ETFs - Market Vectors Juniors (GDXJ) tends to be a notch higher in risk level. It was launched very recently in November 2009 at $26, and has already demonstrated swings of almost 20% in both directions. GDXJ represents a basket of fairly high risk equities on the Canadian Market which is reflected in its volatility.

6. Individual Equities - Unlike Gold Bullion which is regarded as a safe haven asset, unhedged gold shares are regarded as risky and can be extremely volatile. There are hundreds of listed companies out there claiming to be gold exploration concerns. The majority will never produce a dime. Good research or professional advice is recommended.

7. Futures and Options - And at the top end of the gearing and risk scale are gold and silver futures, or options on gold and silver futures. This is a highly specialized area which can win or lose fortunes.
Writter was based in S.E Asia for many years where she developed her interest in precious metals. Until recently Gold has not been an area the average investor would consider, but that has changed and suddenly gold is mainstream, and there are so many opportunities out there to profit from gold and silver. Anna enjoys sharing her knowledge with other enthusiasts. She has prepared a complimentary report packed with facts which you can download at Gold Guide.

Gold Investing Strategies For Huge Profits

Gold investing strategies will create huge profits.
I like gold investing for the future because gold is real wealth. Here are a few gold and investing secrets that will serve you well whether you are investing in gold or pharmaceuticals. Always remember that these secrets for investing in gold work for both stocks and general equities.

Know what you are investing in. Do your due diligence and become very familiar with the company before you invest one dime in it. It is not that hard and after all, it's your money that you are investing, so be thorough.

The next two are really sub headings of number one, but they will stay in your mind longer if they have their own numbers! Look through the companies financial reports and see where their money is going. This is like a doctor taking the pulse of a patient.

Call the companies investor relations department and talk to them. See what they think about the companies future and ask any questions about things that you don't understand about their operations. It's simple and you can learn a lot, and the calls are usually free because they are 800 numbers!

Check out the stock's charts so that you get an idea of how it has been trading. You learn a lot about a stock by seeing how it has traded in the past.

These are simple gold and investing secrets that most investors fail to take advantage of. They most often prefer to go on a broker's tip, or on advice from a friend. Those sources are fine and dandy if you have done your own research and it backs up their advice.

It is important to realize that the gold market is very small in comparison to the general equities markets and because of that, the market can swing wildly when large sums of money are dumped into it or taken out of it. The more you know about the company that you are investing in, the better equipped you are to deal with changes in the market. You will know when to take profits, and when to exit the stock when the situation changes for the better or the worse. You will also know what percentage to put in a trailing stop when the stock takes off so you won't lose money if there is a drastic turn during the day when you are unable to watch it.

If you just follow these basic gold and investing secrets for a couple of months you will see a dramatic change in your investment's performance. They all boil down to forming a discipline in your investment philosophy that will change these gold investing strategies to just plain investing common sense that you use every day.

Don't make the same mistakes I did Investing in Gold, check out our free guide to gold investing and avoid the pitfalls and increase profits when gold investing.

If you have found this article helpful, check out his blog of market insight to the gold industry at --- http://www.buygoldco.com

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Gold Investment is One of the Best Forms of Financial Security

The Best Forms of Financial Security
Gold is one of the most expensive as well as desired metals in the world. From coins to jewelry, gold has been used in many ways over many centuries. In some countries gold is considered auspicious. In times of economic instability and when stock markets seem to be taking the plunge, the only investment that has not been disturbed by the recession and other economic problems is gold investment. As a result more and more people are opting for gold investment to avoid any financial insecurity in the near future. There are plenty of reasons for gold investment but here are some of the top ones:

Value: One of the primary reasons why experts recommend gold investment is because it doesn't lose its value everyday unlike currencies. Gold is never exaggerated due to devaluation or inflation because there is a limited natural supply in the world. What most people have realized is that once all the gold in the world is gone there will be no alternative metal to replace it. Hence, people are investing in gold in order to have control over future.

Globally Acceptable: One of the salient points about gold investment is that you can purchase gold from just about anywhere in the world. Not only buying, the acceptability of gold is very high. In fact, gold is acceptable in any place or country in the world, which makes it a comfortable investment option.

Economy: Gold is an important driver of world economy. Most developing and developed countries in the world have their own share of gold, which provides a country with financial security and helps them to handle economic downturns. This basically means that gold investment is one of the best investments you can have and it can be transferred from one generation to another without any problem.

Recession: The world just went through a period of recession and it is not completely over. Governments could have collapsed; economies would have crashed if there was no gold. It is the gold that countries have in their reserve that bails out economies from crisis situations.

Portfolio: One of the most important aspects of having an investment portfolio is that it should be diversified from time to time. Since the prices of gold is quite stable in comparison to the stock market or mutual funds, having it on your portfolio will provide you with something to fall back on. Gold investment is lucrative and offers several benefits and hence it is becoming an extremely popular investment choice in the US and other countries in Europe.

Inflation: One of the primary reasons for gold investment is that it will save your investment portfolio from inflation.

Both gold and silver have always been versatile investments unlike stocks. Secondly there are several ways of investing in gold like gold coins, gold bullion, ETF's, gold exchange and much more.


Kelly Hunter owns and operates http://www.silver-bullion-bars.net and writes about Silver Bullion Bars

What You Need to Know About Gold Investment

The  information that you must know before involved in Gold Investment

Long before the recent global financial meltdown, investors and economists were fully aware of the value of gold as an indispensable investment item. Gold investment is however not something that is seen as a traditional use of gold. But should you invest in gold? If so, why and what factors should you consider as you do so?

Stability

Over time, gold has proved to be a more stable store of value compared to currencies. If you are holding Dollars or Euros, you will have to worry about sudden loss in the confidence in the particular currency. You may have seen that many countries which had indicated that they would like to hold more of the Euro have backed off once they saw the collapse of the Greek economy. When you look at the stock market, you will realize that the market can crush overnight and turn billionaires to paupers, however, such a thing has never happened in the gold market.

High Liquidity

Gold is a near money issue. Unlike other assets such as real estate, gold is considered as near money, and therefore, it is something that you can easily dispose off when you want real cash to help you sort out your own business.

Diversification

Gold provides an investment option that is totally suitable for people who would like to diversify. If you hold several stocks and you would like to diversify your investment so as to minimize your risk, gold investment should be one of your considerations.

Disadvantages

Despite the fact that gold investment has all these advantages, it is important that you also take note of the fact that it has also its own disadvantages, which are the following:

Low Returns

Generally, the low risk assets are usually low returns assets. This means that you should not expect to get extra rich through investing in gold. The essence of most gold investors is just to store their wealth in form of assets that will beat inflation.

Another disadvantage of investing in gold is the fact that this may cause an increase in costs associated with the storage of the said gold. Unfortunately, there are usually no dividends that will accrue so as to carter for this cost of storage.

Factors To Consider

Before investing in gold, you need to look at the following items for you to know that what you are doing is okay.

General market trends: Check out the market trends. If the market is bullish, then you would do well to increase your investment in stocks and reduce yours in gold. However, when you see that the market is sliding, then take gold

Investment objective: As mentioned, gold is usually taken as an insurance against decline in the stock market. It is therefore a safe asset, but not really a rewarding asset. Its value usually increases dramatically only when there has been a loss of confidence in stocks. Therefore, your degree of risk aversion will determine how much gold you will invest in.

Regardless of the disadvantages of the gold investment, it is important to say that if you want to invest in gold, then that is probably one of the things that you ought to do. Just invest in it.

Learn more about gold investments at http:.com.


Danial Harris is manages and writes for a personal growth website, http://SuccessESource.com. Learn more about gold investments at http://Articles.SuccessESource.com.

Alternative Investment Opportunities

Some of the Hottest Alternative Investment Opportunities Today

Gold investments are among the best alternative investments currently available, especially in the context of the economic insecurity that still affects many world economies.

Why It's Worth Investing in Gold

Gold is seen as a great investment whenever there is the threat of a raising inflation, as it helps people convert volatile assets into a precious metal that will continue to be valuable regardless of what befalls the economy.

But gold also makes for a possibly good investment for those who seek to get a nice return on their investments. Short term investments in gold, however, do not tend to be as rewarding as other investments, since the price of gold is somewhat more stable than that of say silver, which rises and falls more often and more significantly.

But when it comes to long-term alternative investments, gold is considered by many to be unrivaled. That's because gold has been since time immemorial prized for its beauty and value, and will continue to be so for years to come regardless of what happens with the financial markets.

Unless an unimaginably vast deposit of gold is found soon - which is unlikely, considering that right known gold deposits are actually dwindling - gold will continue to retain its high value, which makes the precious metal ideal for an alternative investment.

Gold is venerated and desired and these contribute to making it one of the most secure things to invest it. And besides, when you invest in gold you can actually own the material, which may give you a pleasure than not all the money in the world can buy.

Gold's Rivals: Silver and Platinum

Gold clearly dominates the other precious metals. Silver is more volatile and much less valuable, its market being much smaller than that of gold. This makes silver investments potentially good for quick gains, but ultimately unreliable for long-term serious investments. And besides, silver takes more storage space than gold.

Platinum, on the other hand, is more valuable, but also more difficult to handle. Investments in platinum are infamous for their high risk, and only few experts really carry them out. What's more, unlike gold, platinum is hard to convert into cash.

How to Invest

Gold investments can be some of the most rewarding alternative investments, especially when they are significant. But even investing in small quantities of gold can be rewarding.

You can invest in gold by buying bullion or coins. Alternatively, you can buy stock in gold mining or gold producing companies, as well as gold futures contracts. Some say though that the best gold investments are those in which you buy and own the precious metal yourself.

Investing in gold is definitely one of the hottest alternative investment opportunities today. But to invest successfully you need to compare investment opportunities and to go with the one your calculations point you to.

Gold investments have recently become very popular. To find out more about investing in gold, visit Compare the Financial Markets