Why is gold jewelry a good investment?

Why is gold jewelry a good investment?

ByThomas Goldfreburg
8 min read

Gold jewelry can be a great investment if you buy it for the right price. It offers style and financial security, and its aesthetic enjoyment is matched by a timeless investment value. Historically, gold preserves value and acts as a hedge against inflation. Compared with bullion, pieces carry lower retail markups, can be sold in jewelry stores, pawn shops, and online platforms, and are more preferable to gold bars and the like because they can be passed down as a family heirloom with legacy and sentimental value.

Expert behind this article

  • Thomas Goldfreburg

    Thomas Goldfreburg
    Thomas Goldfreburg is a gold investment advisor, author and founder of Goldfreed. Thomas's expertise is built on an academic foundation of a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Stanford University and complemented by market experience. Thomas specializes in gold IRA, ETF, 401k, and physical gold investments.

Is gold jewelry a good investment?

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Matt Harris says gold jewelry is a great investment if you buy it for the right price. Gold jewelry is a sound investment when bought wisely as it offers value appreciation over time and provides stability. Gold historically preserves value and acts as a hedge against inflation. In times of political or economic unrest, gold remains in demand. Chinese and Indian middle classes believe gold jewellery is a sound investment, and rising demand for wearable wealth reinforces its status as an asset. You don't have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to invest in gold jewelry. Choosing well-documented pieces that include rings, chains, bracelets, necklaces, or even diamonds provides financial and personal value.

Gold price fluctuates daily, and plain gold pieces sold through consignment shops depend on weight and purity for their overall gold content. Sulbha Jagtap says gold does not have the resale value many expect, therefore, you do not deem it as an investment in the same way you do stocks or bonds. Gold doesn't generate any earnings, and its price will increase only as the value of gold goes up, not because of design or sentiment. Collecting gold jewelry remains beneficial, but one must heed the marketing from the jewellery industry with caution. The notion that gold is an investment for the future will repeatedly be emphasized to aid in selling the product.

Gold jewelry is a specific intersection of sentimental and fiscal value. It functions as a superior diversified, it is a shop of worth, and inherent worth is universally acknowledged. I would not advise gold as a main investment medium, yet my gold jewelry is an energetic protection against economic uncertainness.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed

What kind of gold jewelry is good for investment?

Higher purity levels, like 18K gold (75% pure), are ideal, and certificates proving the gold's purity and the piece's authenticity are vital. Classic designs and brand reputation are preferable, so choose timeless styles over trendy pieces, especially for designer jewelry with certificates.

The best gold jewelry for investment typically has a high gold content. 24K gold offers unmatched purity and liquidity, making it best suited for pure investment purposes. Investors focus on 24K gold for density of value, liquidity, and market demand, as it is globally recognised and easy to trade. Auvere's 22 and 24 karat gold jewelry serves as a brilliant investment, giving the wearer emotional connection while offering intrinsic metal value.

24K gold is rarely used in daily wear because it is soft, so 22K gold is used in traditional and ceremonial jewelry, especially in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets. While 14K and 18K gold contain less pure gold than 24K, they are more durable and still hold their value well due to popularity and demand.

Solid gold pieces are one of the best options for investment because they are smelted down and resold at the market price of gold. High-carat gold, solid gold pieces, and those with historical or craftsmanship value are the best options. Choosing a white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold band is making an investment into the gold market, as white gold and yellow gold have the same intrinsic gold value.

Gold filled and gold plated jewelry are not good for investment. Gold filled jewelry offers the look and feel of luxury without the steep price, but it wears down and exposes the base metal. Gold plating is the least expensive and lowest quality, often requiring multiple purchases over time. Gold vermeil, which is sterling silver coated in gold, is a good alternative for those on a budget but does not hold the same long-term value as solid or high-karat gold.

24K gold jewelry is investment-grade and preferred for investors seeking an easy and liquid asset. Solid 24K gold provides investment-grade gold, while 22K and 18K gold offer a balance of purity and durability. White gold, yellow gold, and rose gold are equally good from a financial perspective, provided they are solid and well-documented. Choosing well-documented pieces from reputable sources provides both financial and personal value.

High-karat precious metal has inherent worth, so I focus on buying basic parts like a 22K precious metal bracelet for considerable heavy or solid precious metal strands. I stray clear of items that might decline in their allure and instead I choose definitive timeless patterns that provide the greatest prospect for increase. Plain ingot quantity is universally acknowledged, confirmable, and constitutes complete ingot quantity, so these items have fungibility.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed

Which is better a investment, a gold bar or gold jewelry?

Gold bullion tends to offer a more reliable investment option because bars are minted using a purity of 99.9 per cent, whereas gold jewellery subjected to wear has its gold purity diluted with other alloys. Investors seeking lower markups therefore prefer gold bars and coins, which are almost entirely composed of gold and valued only for purity and weight.

Bars are available in larger quantities and are easier to sell in the international market. The verification process takes a bit longer, yet long-term investment goals are better achieved by investing in gold bars. Gold coins have better liquidity than gold jewellery, and bullion maintained in a secure vault is less likely to be subject to damage or deterioration. For straightforward wealth preservation we recommend first deciding on long term investment goals, because buying gold bullion is more efficient at securing financial growth while jewellery adds elegance to your attire.

I started with buying a tiny precious metal bar as it was a clear-cut resource. A gold bar offers only value found by current industry cost, whereas jewelry offers both industry cost and enduring personal delight.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed

How to buy gold jewelry as an investment?

To buy gold jewelry as an investment follow the instructions given below.

  • Consult a financial advisor first to determine whether jewelry fits your portfolio goals
  • Buy gold bars and coins from a gold dealer
  • Choose between physical gold and gold-related financial investments as two main ways to buy gold
  • Buy physical gold from individuals, jewelers, gold dealers, and some banks
  • Calculate gold’s worth as one of the first steps for buying any investment jewellery
  • Contemplate how gold jewelry compares to other forms of precious metal investments
  • Buy gold futures and options if you have access to derivatives markets through your brokerage account
  • Buy during off-peak seasons when gold prices are more favorable
  • Find plain gold pieces through pawn shops
  • Invest in gold ETFs and mutual funds in smaller dollar amounts than bullion
  • Ensure the jewelry comes with certification from a recognized body

Jewelry comes with an appraisal or certification from a recognized body. Before purchasing, choosing well-documented pieces from reputable sources provides financial and personal value. Buyers prioritize pieces with substantial weight, and many choose to purchase pieces during economic downturns or off-peak seasons when gold prices are more favorable. You can find plain gold pieces through pawn shops, estate sales and auctions where better jewelry bargains are found. The advantage of buying jewelry this way is that there is no retail markup and prices are just slightly above gold's spot price. Some buyers keep track of precious metal prices and buy smaller pieces over time to balance out cost fluctuations.

Appraising jewelry is complicated and there are no guarantees you'll be able to sell a piece for more than you paid for it. Investment-grade gold jewelry is available and Neb guarantees the gold weight listed is the minimum you'll receive. Each share of these securities represents a fixed amount of gold. Major central banks worldwide are expected to purchase 1,000 metric tons of gold in 2025, underlining that gold is a strategic asset class. Charles de Gaulle said gold is eternally and universally accepted as the unalterable fiduciary value par excellence.

My trip started with careful inquiry. I built a partnership with a respected government-approved goldsmith whose honesty in valuation is recognized. I prioritized comprehending the hallmarking scheme, so I guaranteed any item I believed contained an authorized seal like 18K or 22K, for that authorized seal designated its purity. I asked for a detailed statement that understandably set apart the price of the precious metal by weight from the production costs and rates, because I found that the worth inhere in the weight of the precious metal and in the carat of the noble metal, not in elaborate ornamentations. I concentrated on easy standard things like bracelets and strings, because these possess a broader resale quantity.

Thomas Goldfreburg
Thomas Goldfreburg
Investor at Goldfreed