Summary
- There are many ways to invest in gold, such as physical gold, gold ETFs, gold mining stocks, mutual funds, options and futures, and IRAs.
- An investment in gold may or may not be suitable for your investing goals.
- Weigh the pros against the cons. Gold may be stable, and price appreciation may be favorable, but commodities can have wild price swings, and if not managed well, you may owe more capital gains than you’d expect.
- Unbiased can connect you with a financial advisor to answer all your questions about gold, returns, risks, and put together an investment portfolio to meet your goals.
Ways to buy gold
You’ll want to evaluate the different ways to invest in gold. Here’s a quick rundown of what each entails.
Physical gold
Gold bullion
If you like the idea of owning physical gold, either in the form of coins or bars, you can invest in gold bullion. You can buy them from online bullion dealers, local coin shops, and even retailers like Costco.
Pros
- Long-term growth potential
- Physical gold is more liquid than many other types of investments, including other types of gold investments.
- Full control over the types of gold you want to buy.
Cons
- You may need to pay storage costs, which can add up fast.
- You may need to pay capital gains taxes if you hold it.
- It may not be as liquid as other types of investments.
- Price can be volatile.
Gold certificates
Gold certificates are a way to own gold without holding physical gold. They can be issued by banks, dealers, governments, or dealers and represent a certain amount of gold held by the issuer.
Pros
- Benefits of physical gold without the need to hold physical gold.
- Long-term growth potential of gold.
- No need to secure and store gold.
- Convenient and low entry cost.
Cons
- Market risk.
- Lack of physical ownership.
- Potential fees.
- Dependent on the issuer to safeguard gold.
Gold ETFs
A gold ETF is a pooled investment fund designed to track the price of gold in the market. The fund can hold physical gold, mining stocks, gold futures, or other gold investments. When you buy a share of the ETF, you gain exposure to these gold investments.
Gold ETFs are bought and sold on an exchange throughout the day, so they’re very easy to find and buy.
Pros
- Easy access to gold investing.
- Long-term growth potential.
- No need for storage or security of gold.
- The expense ratio is reasonable.
- Tax-efficient vehicle for holding gold investments.
- Highly liquid and transparent pricing.
Cons
- No physical ownership.
- No income produced – relies solely on market appreciation.
- Follows changes in global challenges.
- May pay taxes as you would on physical gold.
Gold mutual fund
As a pooled basket of investments, a gold mutual fund is similar to an ETF. Gold mutual funds may also include investments other than gold, so they’re less like an index than an ETF. They also typically have higher expense ratios.
Pros
- Long-term growth potential.
- No need to hold physical gold.
- Helps diversify portfolio and hedge against inflation.
- Convenient and highly liquid.
Cons
- Mutual funds often are more expensive to own since they’re professionally managed.
- Not as liquid as an ETF.
- Does not generate income.
- Investment depends on price appreciation.
Gold mining stocks
Gold mining stocks are shares of companies involved in the extraction and production of natural resources like gold. You’re closer to the gold market with exposure to mining stocks since they’re more closely tied to commodity prices and global economics.
To be successful, you should look at the industry as a whole, as well as company size, stage of development, geological assets, reserve metrics, feasibility studies, and long-term value.
Pros
- Tap into potential growth and substantial returns.
- Offers a way to diversify your portfolio.
- Hedge against inflation.
Cons
- Political and regulatory risk can stall development and reduce profit.
- Gold can experience high volatility with dramatic price swings.
- Mining stocks experience operational risks and may not produce as expected.
Gold futures and options
Gold futures are contracts that allow you to buy a set amount of gold at a specified price at a later date. It’s more complex and risky, but it offers the possibility to earn money in many types of markets.
Pros
- You may be able to make money on contracts in all market conditions.
- You can make money on gold without owning physical gold.
- Portfolio diversification.
Cons
- Futures and options trading are risky. You could lose a significant amount of money.
- It’s a complex investment that requires an understanding of the structure and risk.
Gold IRAs
Gold IRAs are self-directed IRAs where you store gold investments in a retirement account. The IRA has certain tax advantages baked in, such as tax-deferred growth. Essentially, you won’t pay taxes until you sell the investment.
Pros
- Gold in an IRA has tax-deferred growth.
- Gold has long-term growth potential.
- Gold contributions to an IRA may be tax-deductible.
Cons
- Must open a self-directed IRA, which isn’t as straightforward as other IRAs.
- Gold IRA fees are higher.
- Must follow gold IRA rules exactly as set forth by the IRS, or you could owe taxes.
- Gold is in the possession of a third party and may not be easily accessible when you need it.
Should you invest in gold?
Although gold has experienced strong price appreciation in the past, whether or not gold investing is for you depends on your risk tolerance, financial goals, and investment horizon.
To sum up gold’s benefits:
- It’s a tangible asset.
- It has long-term growth potential.
- It helps hedge against inflation.
- It offers diversification away from stocks and bonds.
- It offers stability and often outperforms other investments when times get tough.
On the other hand, you may not want to invest in gold for some of the following reasons:
- You can’t handle the volatility of commodity trading.
- You don’t want to pay storage fees for physical gold or account fees for a gold IRA.
- You’re looking for income.
- You want a more readily liquid asset.
- You don’t want to keep up with the industry and understand your investment.
Bottom line
Investing in gold can help diversify your portfolio and act as a hedge against inflation, but it can also be risky. It also may not meet your financial goals, time horizon, or risk tolerance. It can help to get professional financial advice.
Unbiased can connect you to a financial advisor who can answer any question you have about gold, retirement, and other investments. Get matched with a financial advisor today.
FAQs
Gold vs silver: Which is better?
Although gold and silver are both precious metals, they are two very different investments. Gold has more investor interest and commands a higher price. Silver has much smaller investor demand, but is useful in many industrial applications. It’s also a more volatile commodity.
Why is gold so valuable?
Gold is a finite natural resource and has inherent value. High gold prices can also be attributed to investor and central bank demand.
How much is gold per ounce?
As of May 22, 2026, gold trades at $4,525.50 per ounce. Gold’s record high sits at $5,602.22 per troy ounce.
Is gold a good investment?
Gold can be a good investment for investors looking for tangible assets that act as a hedge against inflation, but it is not for everyone. Price appreciation was strong in 2025, but past performance isn’t always indicative of future performance.
How do you buy gold bars?
You can buy gold bars from online brokers, local coin shops, or retailers such as Costco or Walmart.