Physical forms of gold and silver are among the most traditional types of investment, making these a popular choice for many investors. These precious metals are a stellar investment option for a diverse investment portfolio as they retain their value even when the stock market plummets. But, with so many options to choose from, it can be quite challenging to decide where and how to buy physical gold and silver.

Where can one buy physical gold and silver from?
Online marketplaces and brick-and-mortar sellers such as jewelry stores or coin shops are the most common places to buy physical gold and silver. Wearable wealt h— r ings , earrings, necklaces, and bracelet s— c ontinues to be one of the most popular forms of buying physical gold or silver. But , due to the high mark-up as a result of craftsmanship and retailer costs, jewelry is not the best type of investment in precious metals.

To reduce these costs and make sound investments, many people today purchase gold or silver bullion (bars or coins) , which may sometimes have designs or depictions on them.

Buying gold and silver online v.s. in store
When it comes down to the basics, the experience of buying gold and silver online or in stores is quite the same. One selects the product they like and proceeds to pay for it. The major difference lies in the convenience of online shopping compared to visiting a physical store. When shopping online, one can purchase gold and silver from any part of the world at any time . But at a local store, one is restricted to the area they are in as well as the store timings.

On the other hand, brick-and-mortar stores may be able to provide a better sense of security when it comes to buying precious metals. Since they are an expensive purchase , one can check the exact material that is being purchased, confirm the fit and design, and be sure about the delivery as well. Whether online or offline, gold, silver, and other precious metals should only be purchased from reputable sources to avoid any risk.

Factors to consider when buying gold and silver
While buying physical gold or silver, it is important to consider certain factors.

Storage
One of the first things to think of when buying gold and silver is where one intends to store it. Keeping everything at home may not always be the safest route, which is why some people opt for a safe deposit box with a custodian to keep one’s belongings secure.

Insurance
Those who wish to store precious metals at home must consider getting insurance. This can keep the gold and silver safe in case of any unforeseen circumstances such as flooding, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.

Purity
People buying gold bars as an investment must ensure that they are at least 99.5% (995) pure gold quality . For verification purposes, the bullion must come with details such as the manufacturer’s name, troy ounces of the metal, and its purity.

Size
It is important to consider the size of the bullion one is buying. Not only should it fit well within one’s budget, but it should also be easy to liquidate if the need arises.