Humans have coveted gold for thousands of years, and investors today are no exception. Gold has been a medium of investment and exchange for a long time. Experts view gold as the ultimate way to guard their savings against surging prices because it has maintained its value over the years. There are many methods to purchase gold, whether one opts for gold bonds, bars, or coins. Read on to find ways to buy gold from local or online dealers.

Gold bars
Gold bars or gold bullions are a popular selection for people interested in physical gold. It is sold by ounce or gram, and the weight, manufacturer, and purity must be stamped on the bar’s face. Purity is very crucial when buying gold. The investment-quality bullion should be at least 99.5 percent pure gold. It becomes particularly vital when considering storage in a gold IRA. Gold of lower purity, unless it is a pre-approved gold coin, is ineligible for an IRA account. One can shop for gold bullion from offline or online dealers like SD Bullion, JM Bullion, among others.

Gold futures
Gold futures are an excellent means to speculate the rates of falling or rising gold. One can also take the physical delivery of this gold if needed. However, physical delivery is not what motivates investors.

The biggest pro of investing in gold futures is the immense degree of leverage that you get to use. It means one can own a good value of gold futures for a small sum of money. Hence, if the gold futures move in a determined direction, one can make good money quickly. On the contrary, if the gold moves against the contract, one can put up substantial money or margins to maintain the contract.

Gold stocks
Buying gold stocks is similar to buying an individual stock. Investing in a gold-mining company comes with its share of risks. But fortunately, it gives one complete control over the companies invested in. For instance, some investors might consider a company practicing strong environmental responsibility over a company that does not. Gold stocks do not give you physical gold, but you can sell the asset any time, depending on the rates that suit you.

Gold coins
These are typically advertised for buying and selling and are smaller and more convenient than gold bars. Investors can shop for gold coins from offline or online dealers or collectors and sell them at a profit. One can find dealers in almost every city. Hence, the coins are easily accessible. For beginners, gold coins are an effective means of investment. Sometimes the collector’s value raises their price above their base gold value. Casual investors avoid such coins and focus on the widely circulated ones unless they aspire to be collectors.

Jewelry
It is one of the most frequently bought and sold gold investments. It is beginner-friendly and easy to acquire. Owners can liquidate the jewelry for cash according to the market rate easily. Approximately 49 percent of all the global gold production goes into making gold jewelry. Any jewelry piece, 14k or higher, is considered investment-grade gold.