Investment is one of the most common ways to make money in modern times as people have less disposable income and want more freedom of choice over their money. The internet has made all types of investment accessible, and more people are becoming interested in how investments can work for them. One of the most obvious and easy forms of investment is jewellery. It is easy to purchase and it is a commodity that everyone is familiar with.
Gold jewellery is the current hotspot in jewellery investment. Jewellery is proven throughout history to be a longstanding and stable investment, being popular throughout time. This is because the price and the financial returns made rely upon many factors, not just the price of the precious metal or stones used at that moment in time. Jewellery has survived many economical collapses, worldwide. It is not susceptible to fluctuating stocks and shares or currency markets and so does not lose its value.
Jewellery is an art form. It is subject to originality and intricacies in design, and there is always great demand. Recent global reports state that the demand for gold jewellery is rising by an impressive 19% a year, which is a record breaking amount. Demand is predicted to rise even further. All jewellery is covetable and collectible and becomes worth more with age. This can be reflected by the way in which gold stores are used; around 75% of all gold consumed is in the form of jewellery. The World Gold Council states in its latest gold report that in the US in 2006, jewellery sales totalled $44 billion.
Jewellery makes a visual statement about the person that is wearing it and so it is an enjoyable investment also. Like in ancient times, it is closely associated with wealth, and so gives the wearer a confident demeanour. As an investment it has many advantages. For instance, antique jewellery can be bought and sold rapidly for a quick turnover; the demand has already been established above. Jewellery prices are also subject to trends. The latest fair in Vicenza states that yellow gold is of the highest demand in both the US and Europe, so it would be a good investment. However, due to the nature of the fashion industry this means that white gold jewellery will be a trend at some point soon.
The secret of jewellery investment is to know what you want and where to get it. This has been made much easier by the internet, as dealers can be contacted and business completed between any destinations on the globe. Furthermore, the internet has increased possibilities for jewellery wholesalers who can advertise their goods more easily, which means investors can get more jewellery for their money. A dealer will be able to provide you with information on the quality of the piece and the style, but a gold advisor or investment professional may be needed to ensure you buy the right type of jewellery for the investment you are looking for.
When buying gold jewellery, the most important factor is the caratage. The caratage details the amount of gold content present. Gold is pliable and so needs other metals such as silver and copper to be added to make it durable. This also affects the colour of the jewellery. The purest gold jewellery available is 24 carat and will be a strong yellow-orange colour. Jewellery in other colours can have a lower caratage as bigger quantities of the other metals are required to create the special effect. However, this does not mean that for white gold jewellery will be any less wise an investment as a yellow gold piece, as design, designer and personal taste also feature in the value.
Make sure you choose jewellery that reflects your tastes and brings you joy, as well as thinking of the long term investment to enjoy its full value.