Compare the Best Gold Investments Companies

• Gold is a popular alternative to the stock market, but it can be difficult to choose among the many gold investment companies.
• Investors should look for a strong team behind the company, as well as a strong track record.
• Fees are important, as well, as are the company's investment goals.

An investment in gold makes sense for many individuals, but it can be difficult to decide where to put your money. More so, as gold prices have risen to record highs, due to increased demand from China and India for physical bullion, gold investment companies have sprung up seemingly overnight.

Gold Bullion Coins

Gold Bullion Coins are minted from gold bullion. These coins contain actual gold bullion. Most coins are available in one-ounce and one-quarter-ounce denominations, though some are 1/10-ounce, and 1/20-ounce. The Krugerrand is the most popular gold bullion coin.
The weight, purity, and face value of the coin, as well as its availability determine the market's value.
Gold Bullion Bars
Gold bullion bars are one-ounce, 10-ounce, or 100-ounce bars that can be purchased directly from the mints or from gold bullion dealers. You can also purchase gold bullion bars from banks or brokerages.

Gold Bullion Jewelry
Gold bullion jewelry includes gold chains, rings, and bracelets. Most jewelry is 14-karat gold, but some pieces are 18-karat gold.
Gold Bullion Coins and Bars
Gold bullion coins and bars are broken into 24-karat gold, 22-karat gold, 18-karat gold, 14-karat gold, and 10-karat gold.

Gold Bullion Bars

Buying gold bars is almost like buying gold bullion. There are three main types: minted, minted and cast, and cast. Gold bars are the least expensive way to buy physical gold. The upside is that gold bars are easy to store and transport. The downside is they won't hold value as gold bullion does.
Gold bullion coins
Gold bullion coins, such as Canadian Maple Leafs, Austrian Philharmonics, and American Gold Eagles, are minted by national mints and are usually sold in one-ounce denominations. Gold bullion coins are not as liquid as gold bars, but they're not as expensive or as rare as gold bullion.
Gold bullion rounds
Gold bullion rounds, also known as gold bars, are made by private mints. They hold 400 ounces of gold, weigh 400 pounds, and are available in .995 purity. Like gold bullion bars, gold bullion rounds are relatively expensive, but they aren't as rare as gold bullion coins.
Gold bullion futures
Gold bullion futures are derivatives, contracts that trade on an exchange, that are based on the price of gold per ounce. The gold bullion futures contracts give you the right, but not the obligation, to buy gold bullion at a specified price. Gold futures can be traded on futures exchanges around the world.
Gold ETFs
Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are funds that invest in gold bullion and derivatives. They are similar to mutual funds. You can buy gold ETFs that track the price of gold bullion, follow gold futures, or track the price of gold bullion futures. Gold ETFs are liquid, highly diversified, and easy to buy and sell.

Silver Bullion Coins

These coins are minted by governments and come in different sizes. Smaller coins generally have a much lower premium over spot price than larger coins. Most coins are redeemable for gold or silver, but some are not.
Gold Bullion Coins
These coins, like silver coins, are minted by governments and come in different sizes.
Gold bars and Gold rounds
These bars are stamped by private mints and are cast from gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or rhodium.

Gold coins and bars
These coins and bars are stamped by private mints and are cast from gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or rhodium.

Silver Bullion Bars

Silver bars, much like gold bars, are bullion coins that are minted in 1 oz., 100 oz., and 1,000 oz. varieties. These bars are commonly obtained from major precious metals dealers, such as Kitco or APMEX.
Silver Bar
Silver bullion bars in 1 oz. and 100 oz. sizes are available for less than $1 per oz.

Silver Bar
Silver bullion bars in 1 oz. and 100 oz. sizes are available for less than $1 per oz.

Buying Gold Stocks
Gold stocks can be purchased individually, through an exchange traded fund (ETF), or a gold mutual fund. Gold market ETFs such as the iShares Gold Trust (IAU), which are listed on the NYSE Arca, are an easy and low-cost way to invest in gold.
Gold Stock
Gold stocks can be purchased individually, through an exchange traded fund (ETF), or a gold mutual fund. Gold market ETFs such as the iShares Gold Trust (IAU), which are listed on the NYSE Arca, are an easy and low-cost way to invest in gold.