Everyone knows that gold and silver make for excellent jewelry. Gold and silver are precious, timeless, and they look absolutely gorgeous when molded into earrings, bracelets, or necklaces. There are few bigger thrills in life than purchasing gold and silver jewelry for yourself, or gifting a luxurious piece to a loved one.
Gold and silver are also ideal materials for crafting ornaments or heirloom-quality household items. Candlesticks, for instance, or tea sets, or silverware in the classic and literal sense of the word.
However, here and now, in the mid-21st century, it can sometimes be difficult to discern the value of gold and silver beyond mere aesthetics—or how much you could charge for an old silver picture frame by reselling it on Facebook Marketplace. But gold and silver are also strong financial assets, and investing in them is fast becoming a preferred strategic move for the preservation of long-term wealth.
Fisher Capital Group is a financial company dedicated to assisting its clients secure their financial future through investments in these precious metals. Ranked among America’s fastest-growing precious metals companies by Forbes, Fisher Capital Group’s knowledge of the gold and silver markets is recognized throughout the industry. Consequently, we asked for their informed input during the composition of this article. In response, Alexander Spellane, the company’s founder and CEO, was gracious enough to provide us with his expert commentary.
A Hedge Against Inflation
Gold and silver have long been regarded as reliable hedges against inflation. Unlike so-called fiat currencies (which comprise the vast majority of the world’s paper money and loses value as inflation rises), gold and silver tend to maintain or even increase in worth over time. “When the US dollar declines, those holding precious metals maintain their purchasing power,” explains Alexander Spellane. “For investors worried about the erosion of currency value over either the short or long term, gold and silver offer a predictable, stable safe haven to guard their wealth.” Unlike paper currency where you can print more money, you can’t manufacture gold and silver.
Portfolio Diversification
Gold and silver also provide an inherently unique opportunity for portfolio diversification. Unlike stocks or bonds, precious metals are not directly tied to the performance of a company or government policies. “Gold is a tangible asset that exists outside the manipulation of central banks and governments,” Alexander Spellane points out. “By adding gold and silver to an investment portfolio, investors can reduce their overall risk and make sure that their portfolios remain balanced even in the most volatile market conditions. In my experience, this is their number one selling point—although definitely not the only one.”
Gold as Protection Against Economic UncertaintyDuring times of global or domestic economic turmoil, gold and silver often act as sanctuary assets. “When stock markets suddenly fall or currency systems falter, precious metals provide security,” Spellane says, before going on to highlight how gold in particular has historically been a safe harbor in perilous times. “During the market crash of 1929, buying gold offered investors stability in what were, to put it mildly, uncertain economic conditions. The same was true during the stagflation years of the 1970s, as well as the Great Recession of 2008-10.” Indeed, a cursory glance at modern economic history bears these assertions out; whenever big trouble rears its ugly head, gold rises in value, just like clockwork.
Increasing Industrial Demand for SilverWhile gold is highly prized for its store of value, silver holds significant potential as an asset due to its increasing applications in the realm of heavy industry. From electronics to solar panels, silver is used to manufacture a wide range of important goods. This is particularly true of green tech, which has seen a broad rise in demand over the past few decades. As the popularity of these sorts of technologies grow, so does the demand for silver. “Silver’s practical uses make it an attractive investment option,” says Spellane. “Its dual role as both a precious metal and a vital industrial commodity makes it a versatile choice, and therefore a smart one for investors.”
Preservation of Wealth for Future Generations
Finally, gold and silver are not just investments for today, or even a single lifetime; they are investments that can be passed down through the generations. As tangible, physical commodities, precious metals can be stored securely and retain their value over long periods of time (think not in terms of years or decades, but rather in terms of centuries), making them ideal for those looking to grow their wealth for the future. “Gold and silver are the definition of timeless assets,” says Spellane. “They’ve been high-value substances for thousands of years—really, for the entire span of human society—and that’s not going to change. That’s why I recommend them as investments for families and individuals trying to establish a lasting financial legacy.”
For those who need a bit more convincing, think of it this way: gold and silver have existed on Earth long before humanity emerged, and they will endure long after we as a species are gone. More than that, there is only a finite supply of each. So, these metals are not just durable and desirable—they are both timeless and scarce, making them increasingly valuable as resources dwindle.
As investments go, there aren’t too many like them.