If there was ever a “tried and true” investment, it would have to be in metal. In fact, over 10% of the population owns some amount of gold or silver in the US.
No matter what you hear about cryptocurrency, investing in precious metals is still very much alive, and you can start making money from it right now! Let’s talk about the best precious metals to invest in for 2021.
Gold
Of course, the top precious metal on the list is gold. Gold’s value has remained fairly steady for a long time, increasing with inflation, and having only mild fluctuations over time.
Gold has been used as a currency or commodity for more than 5,000 years and is still used in all types of jewelry and accessories today. This metal has long been seen as a valuable treasure because of its unique color and shine.
Gold also plays a role in the industrial world from time to time. Many of the switches for airbag reactors rely on gold because of its inability to rust. This ensures that time won’t decay the switch and that your airbags will function years after you purchase the car. However, this is a very limited amount of gold.
There are also different types of gold that may be in higher demand at different times. The best to buy is the physical gold bullion, as they have been used for investment purposes for a long time and prices fluctuate the least.
Fun fact about gold, it is the softest metal on the planet and is far more malleable than aluminum. A piece of solid gold the size of a golf ball could be stretched to cover an entire tennis court.
The reason we mention this is so you know what to expect with your gold jewelry. If you have a gold ring, it is important to note that it is not solid gold, as you would simply be able to crush it with your fingers rather easily. It is likely gold-plated with a stronger metal inside for support.
Because of this, the amount of gold in your jewelry may be limited, offering you a limited amount of return when you go to sell. Many Americans own some piece of gold jewelry, so check the spot prices before going to sell.
Read more : Style silver jewelry
Silver
Yes, these two classics still hold the top spots when it comes to precious metals. Silver has been used for over 6,000 years and still holds a special place in the world of precious metals.
However, because it’s been used for so long, different forms will have different values. There are different types of silver like sterling silver, some have different qualities, and certain coins could be extremely valuable without having to melt them down for the raw metal.
Not only that, price fluctuations are much stronger than gold because of the different uses. Silver is also the best conductor out of any metal, so it’s used for other purposes as well. When commodity use is high, prices tend to increase. When industrial use is high, like wiring for expensive televisions, the prices tend to decrease.
Because of that, it’s best to find the right time to sell, which means waiting if you can. If you want to know what your silver is worth, look for the sterling silver spot price.
Platinum
Platinum is used as a commodity all throughout the year for expensive jewelry and accessories like watches, and is often the most expensive metal by weight, as it is far rarer than gold or silver. During periods of economic stability, platinum can run as high as twice the price of gold per ounce.
Platinum also has industrial use like silver and gold, mostly for automotive catalysts, which help reduce emissions. However, jewelry and accessories account for the rest of the demand.
There are only two countries involved in platinum mines in the world, which are South Africa and Russia. The increased need for catalytic converters based on legislation from companies around the world has increased the demand for this metal, which in turn increases the price.
Palladium
This shiny metal doesn’t get the same amount of attention as gold, silver, or even platinum. These metals have far more of an industrial use than for commodities.
However, it still has its place in the jewelry world. When combined with gold, it creates an alloy that is far stronger than gold without losing the shine. This practice has been used since the 1930s.
Mines for this metal are primarily located in Canada, the US, Russia, and South Africa, and are mined for their uses in several manufacturing processes, especially electronics.
Sheets of palladium are often used in fuel cells and solar panels, and those sheets can get thin. Palladium, like gold, is extremely malleable and can be made into sheets that are 1/250,000 of an inch thin, even though it’s far stronger than gold and even slightly stronger than platinum.
This metal is also used to replace platinum in certain catalytic converters because of its increased strength, and is often more expensive than platinum or gold, as it is 30 times rarer than gold medals.
Stay Metal!
Now that we know all about the most common precious metals, you may want to start investing in metals. It’s a safe investment as there will always be a need for these metals in the world, whether for industry or commodity. Stay up to date with our latest news and contact us with any investment questions!
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