Gold has always been a valuable metal and a means for measuring wealth. In the past, gold found its way in the necks of Egyptian queens and the exchanging hands of merchants. It has always been a sign of wealth, and a valuable asset to own.
Nowadays, the price of gold is dependent on its weight, and it has recently seen an upwards increase in value after a period of stagnation. Popular investment news outlets have predicted that the price of gold will continue to rise with the inflating economy.
Defining Gold as a Metal
Gold is one of the metals in the periodic table whose founder is unknown. It is a chemical element that is mostly inert, which means that it doesn’t decay or tarnish. It alloys well with other metals, so it’s easy to transform into sheets or wires.
It’s a rare element that can only be found in mines and cannot be produced artificially. South Africa used to be the world’s largest gold supplier, but now China and Australia have taken on that role.
Gold has always been a precious metal to civilization, and it remains essential in various industries today. Gold’s relevance to the modern world contributes to its steady demand, and it’s unlikely that the price of gold will severely drop soon.
The Use of Gold Today
One of the most important industries that rely on gold’s inert property is the technology category. As gold doesn’t tarnish or corrode, it finds use as a capable conductor for solid-state electronic devices. This means that gold plays a role in speeding up the transfer of information within devices. As a result, you can find small amounts of gold in almost all electronics, including phones, laptops, and GPS units.
Perhaps the most popular use of gold is in the creation of jewelry. About 78% of the world’s gold finds its way to jewelry shops and metals myths around the globe. Gold has always been a staple for jewelry-making because it doesn’t tarnish and can withstand generations of use. Therefore, it can be passed on to generations as a precious heirloom.
It’s especially prevalent in countries like India, where superstitions connected to gold motivate the purchase of jewelry. The price of gold in India also tends to be lower, as there is a massive demand for the metal even in less affluent communities.
Apart from these, gold is also widely used in the dental and aerospace fields. A trend among all these industries is that they seek gold for its physical properties. The inertness of a robust and easily alloyed metal is a unique quality of gold, making it incredibly valuable.
Should You Invest in Gold
Nowadays, a large percentage of wealth portfolios comprise of stocks and bonds. The popularity of cryptocurrency has also contributed to a shift in online investments. However, some don’t trust the lack of security in intangible investments. Therefore, these individuals have turned to gold for a sense of asset security.
As gold doesn’t involve being in a shared bond and is virtually zero interest, it maintains popularity, especially among traditional investors. Although the price of gold fluctuates, there’s current potential in investing in gold as the economy seems favorable to its inflation.
Consequently, if you’ve been thinking about it, now’s a great time to invest in gold.