Gold investments: Advantages and disadvantages at a glance with additional investment alternatives
Gold has been considered one of the safest and most popular investments in the world for centuries. Investing in gold not only offers investors protection against inflation and currency fluctuations, but also serves as a safe haven in times of economic uncertainty. But as with any form of investment, gold has both advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. In this article, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of gold investments in detail to provide investors with an informed basis for making decisions.
Advantages of gold investments
Gold has historically proven to be an effective hedge against inflation because its value tends to rise with the cost of living.
Gold is recognized worldwide as an investment and is not dependent on the stability of a particular currency, which makes it a good hedge against currency devaluation or currency reform.
In times of political and economic uncertainty, investors tend to invest in gold, which can lead to an increase in value.
Including gold in an investment portfolio can help diversify and reduce risk, as the price of gold often moves independently of stock or bond markets.
Disadvantages of gold investments
Unlike other forms of investment such as bonds or dividend stocks, gold does not generate ongoing income.
Physical gold must be stored securely and insured, which can incur additional costs. Above a certain size, the weight or size volume becomes difficult to store or transport.
Although gold is viewed by the public as a safe haven, its price can be volatile or fall sharply in the short term, which can be risky for investors seeking profits. Specifically: The previous high price of gold in 1980 was not reached again until 2009 after losses. That means it took over 29 years for him to recover.
Selling physical gold can be more cumbersome than selling securities, which can limit liquidity compared to other investments.
When purchasing physical gold, there may be price discrepancies between the current market price (spot price) and the purchase price, which may include additional markups for manufacturing, distribution and dealer margins. These surcharges are not always fully transparent, which makes cost calculation difficult.
Valuing gold, especially in the form of jewelry or collector coins, can be difficult for laypeople without the appropriate expertise. Authenticity and fineness must be verified, which can be challenging without specialist knowledge and may incur additional costs for appraisals or certifications.
Another disadvantage that should be considered when investing in gold is the current reporting requirements for certain transactions and holdings. Depending on the legal requirements of the respective country, traders and investors may be required to report the purchase or possession of gold above certain amounts to the relevant tax authorities. These requirements may exist for a variety of reasons, including:
Preventing money laundering: Many countries have introduced laws aimed at combating money laundering and the financing of terrorism. These may require investors to declare purchases of physical gold that exceed certain thresholds.
Tax transparency: To prevent tax evasion and ensure tax transparency, some countries may require gold ownership and transactions to be reported. This can be particularly relevant when it comes to larger investments or when gold is held as part of a larger portfolio.
Ownership limits and general gold ban: In some cases, governments may set ownership limits or a total ban on physical gold to ensure overall economic stability or prevent capital flight. Exceedances of these limits may have to be reported or may even be prohibited altogether if a gold ban is imposed.
Historically, this has actually happened twice in Germany (1933-1945 and 1948). In the USA there was even a very long-lasting gold ban in the past, namely from 1933-1974.
In Germany, the limit for the amount of gold purchased anonymously (= so-called “over-the-counter transaction”) has been repeatedly lowered by the government. Before 2020, it was still possible for a private individual to buy gold anonymously (cash for precious metal) from dealers for up to 10,000 euros. Then, from January 1, 2020, this exemption was drastically reduced to just 2,000 euros per person and transaction. Nobody can predict today where things will go in the future, i.e. whether there will be further reductions in the tax-free allowance or whether anonymous gold purchases will even be banned altogether.
Failure to comply with these reporting obligations may result in serious consequences, including penalties, fines or other legal consequences. It is therefore important for investors to stay informed about local laws and regulations regarding the purchase and ownership of gold and to make required reports in a timely and accurate manner.
In summary, the reporting requirement for gold investments can represent an additional administrative hurdle and poses potential legal and financial risks if these requirements are not met. Investors should therefore always ensure that they act in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Expanding the investment portfolio: The role of colored gemstones as an ideal complement to gold investments
Top colored gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires and emeralds, have their own value dynamics that are independent of traditional financial markets and even gold. This independence can be a valuable addition for investors looking for ways to diversify their risk while investing in something that has not only financial but also aesthetic value. In the following section, we will delve deeper into the world of colored gemstones and discuss why they can be considered a perfect investment addition alongside gold.
Colored gemstones, including rubies, sapphires, emeralds and many others, have a long history around the world as coveted objects of beauty and value. Their rarity, durability and incomparable variety of colors make them an attractive investment. Unlike gold, whose price can fluctuate widely on world markets, colored gemstones offer a certain stability and have the potential to increase in value, especially if they are of exceptional quality and there is high demand and low supply. Investment-quality gemstones have been steadily increasing in value for years. A well-composed portfolio by a qualified company can achieve value increases of between 10_12% pa
One of the key strategies for successful investing is diversification. By including colored gemstones as a real asset in your portfolio, you can reduce your risk because the performance of investment gemstones does not directly correlate with traditional financial markets or the price of gold. This means they can provide an alternative, valuable hedge in times of financial uncertainty or a decline in the price of gold. Colored gemstones have proven for centuries that they retain their value even across the times and crises of the world, across generations, so to speak. Far away from currency reforms, wars, crashes and digital upheavals.
Colored gemstones have enormous potential for increasing in value, especially for rare and high-quality specimens of investment quality. The prices for these colored gemstones always result from the sum of the 4 C’s, i.e. “cut”, color, carat, clarity of the respective stone. Since their formation in the earth takes thousands to millions of years and the perfect interplay of many gemmological factors, there is a natural scarcity here per se. By investing in them, you are effectively following the so-called scarcity principle. In addition, the growing demand for luxurious and unique jewelry worldwide has led to an increase in the prices of high-quality colored gemstones.
Investment colored gemstones offer you real, natural protection against inflation for your assets by maintaining their value while increasing in value every year (scarcity principle). They are not a product of a central bank, government or single currency.
The colored gemstones are ultimately your own, direct or indirect property. A real remaining asset. You are “literally” holding it in your own hands.
In many countries, there are no specific reporting requirements for the purchase or possession of colored gemstones by governments, as long as they are held for private purposes and not for money laundering.
Colored gemstones are less likely to fall under the same strict regulations as gold, which is often directly linked to financial systems and currency collateral.
Although colored gemstones are generally less regulated, profits from the sale of gemstones may be subject to tax, depending on the country. Investors should inform themselves about the tax obligations in their country of residence.
Tax treatment may vary depending on whether colored gemstones are held as part of a business venture or as a private investment.
Owning colored gemstones can offer greater anonymity and privacy than other forms of investment, as transactions can often be conducted privately and without direct registration with government agencies.
This feature can be attractive for investors who value discretion, but the legal framework should always be observed.
Colored gemstones can be transported and carried with you in a relaxed and compact manner in both calm and turbulent times. So to speak, “the property” for your trouser pocket or handbag. Small, handy, inconspicuous.
You condense your wealth into a small space by investing in investment colored gemstones. Just a few carats can be worth several thousand euros. Compared to precious metals such as gold or even silver, they require little space in safes or high-security warehouses.
Tips for investing in colored gemstones
Which types of colored gemstones are suitable as investment stones?
Rubies are considered the kings of gemstones and are especially known for their deep red color. They symbolize love, passion and energy and are highly valued for their hardness and durability.
Advantages:
Very high demand, especially for high quality stones.
Strong price increases for rarity and exceptional quality, especially recently, worldwide.
Disadvantages:
Quality assessment can be challenging for laypeople.
High quality rubies are very rare and can be very expensive.
Sapphires, known for their stunning blue color, represent wisdom and nobility. They are the second hardest gemstones after rubies and impress with their variety in color and origin.
Advantages:
Wide variety of colors, from deep blue to rare pink and orange tones.
Good durability, which makes it particularly suitable for jewelry.
Disadvantages:
The color assessment can be subjective, which influences the pricing.
Some color variations are less well known and may be more difficult to sell.
Emeralds are known for their bright green color and symbolize fertility and renewal. Their softness requires special care during processing and daily use.
Advantages:
Strong demand for high quality stones with intense color and clarity.
Unique inclusions (so-called jardin) can increase uniqueness and value.
Disadvantages:
More delicate than rubies and sapphires, increasing the risk of damage.
Assessing quality, particularly clarity, can be complex.
The SEVEN RIVERS CAPITAL is your professional guarantor for safe investments in top colored gemstones
The German Gemstone House works exclusively with certified gemstones from the most renowned and independent gemological testing institutes in Germany and Switzerland. Each stone in our range is carefully selected and tested during procurement to ensure that our customers are investing in genuine, high-quality investment colored gemstones. These certificates serve as your security for the investment and facilitate the evaluation of the gemstones by a neutral party.
We do not set the price – the final price determination for each stone we sell is always carried out by a neutral, independent party, namely an expert for colored gemstones who is publicly appointed and sworn in by the IHK (Chamber of Industry and Commerce). After a thorough examination of the respective gemstone in his laboratory, the expert will assess the quality of all 4 C’s (cut, carat, color, clarity) and determine the current market price in his report and also provide you with a corresponding report.
We understand that in-depth market knowledge is essential for successful colored gemstone investments. That is why the German Gemstone House offers extensive consulting services to inform investors about current market trends, price developments and the rarest and most valuable stones. Our experts are on hand to expand your knowledge and help you select the best investment opportunities tailored to your situation.
We recognize the importance of a long-term perspective and diversification when investing in colored gemstones. The German Gemstone House offers an exclusive range of 12 top investment colored gemstones, allowing investors to build a diversified portfolio. From rubies and sapphires to emeralds and more, our selection allows you to professionally invest in different colors, types and price segments of gemstones to minimize your risk and maximize the chances of appreciation.
The safety and appropriate storage of your valuable gemstones is another important aspect that Deutsche Edelsteinhaus takes seriously. We offer advice and solutions for the safe storage and/or storage of your investments, so you don’t have to worry about the safety of your valuable assets. Not for themselves and not for future generations.