The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association conference is one of the most prestigious investment conferences of the year. This years’ theme is “Investing on the Brink” and will take a look at investment’s role in creating prosperity in an equitable and sustainable way. The event will focus on a feeling that we are “on the brink”, with uncertainty everywhere in a post-Brexit world, with global trade wars and much economic uncertainty at this time. It will also cover topics such as the UK economy post-Brexit, global trade wars, defined contribution pensions, risk management in investments and much more.
Save for your pension with gold investment
Where will the conference be held?
The conference will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, the postal address of which is The Exchange, 150 Morrison St, Edinburgh EH3 8EE.
Who are the Pension and Lifetime Savings Association?
The Pension and Lifetime Savings Association (PLSA) are an organization set up to provide a voice for employers as well as trustees of pension schemes and the providers themselves. With support provided by over 13,00 pension schemes and 400 different businesses, the PLSA help educate pension savers through their partnership with Wealth at Work and provide a platform to help support them. Businesses are invited to become a member of the association by signing up to Fund Membership (aimed at pension funds and employers looking to offer a workplace pension or Business membership (aimed at organisations who provide services to the pensions and lifetime savings industry).
The 2019 conference
This years’ conference will take place over 3 days from 6th – 8th March at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). Some of the keynote speakers to feature at the conference this year include:
Alistair Darling – the Former Chancellor of the Exchequer
Paul Johnson – Director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)
Katya Adler – Broadcaster and noted Financial Journalist
as well as Hannah Fry, Elizabeth Corley, Jeremy Coller and Nathan Sheets.
The event is free for all fund members, with fees for business members and non-members. Your conference pass includes admission to all official conference sessions and social events as well as catering throughout the event. There will also be a drinks food and networking evening which will take place on Thursday 8th March.
Why attend?
The Pensions and Lifetime Savings association conference is one of the pension industry’s largest and most important events. It gives you the chance to network with over 950 pension professionals from different sectors within the pension industry including trustees, investment officers and scheme managers as well as investment managers, specialists and consultants.
Holding gold in a pension plan is becoming increasingly popular with investors who are looking for long-term financial security. Investors can now benefit from additional tax relief by investing in gold through a self-invested personal pension (SIPP) and can get up to
to 45% tax relief on gold bullion. Investors will usually gain access to their pension funds when they reach the age of 55.
The yellow metal truly has a magical aura to it! Who can help but be mesmerised by its timeless charm? Through time immemorial, gold has come out on top as the first choice for a gift that lasts forever. Even more effective than Cupid’s arrow, it never fails to melt hearts. With a New Year around the corner, Valentine’s Day isn’t too far away. So, if you want to really impress the one you love, it’s time to seriously consider turning to gold.
As a gift for your loved one that’s also a great investment, you should look at gold bars or gold coins.
Specific Valentine’s Day commemorative issues
Over the years there have been many commemorative Valentine’s Day bars and coins from around the world issued. These have various Valentine’s themes and whilst they often have a high premium (and therefore aren’t the best investment), they are a romantic gesture to give on the day.
Why give gold bars or gold coins on Valentine’s Day?
There are many reasons to give gold bars and coins on the 14th February, here are just a few to consider:
Lasting investment – Valentine’s Day is just one day and “comes and goes” before you know it. A gold investment endures and will have value for years to come whereas other Valentine’s treats (e.g. meal out, theatre/cinema, etc. will last just the one day!)
Something different – Giving gold in the form of jewellery is conventional, but in bars and coins is less so. Your partner is likely to think of this as a unique and thoughtful gift
Gold makes a thoughtful and impressive gift for your Valentine
Other gold gift ideas to consider
If giving gold bars or coins really won’t satisfy your partners Valentine’s Day wishes, then here are some other gold-based gift ideas for Valentine’s Day:
Gold jewellery – this is more conventional but giving gold jewellery at Valentine’s is definitely a safe option. Gold jewellery can be bought in many forms including bracelets, brooches, earrings, necklaces, rings, etc.
Household ornaments – a range of household ornaments could be bought, including gold photo frames, gold heart-shapes, love messages with gold woven in and much more!
Talk to us before you buy your Valentine’s Day gold
As we enter 2019 with a positive outlook for the yellow metal, you can’t go wrong on buying gold as a gift for your Valentine. Whether you’re considering buying gold bars or a set of gold coins, our experts at Physical Gold are the right people to advise you. We pride ourselves on our customer service and have guided many customers over the years on making the right choice when buying a gift that’s elegant, impressive and a sound investment. Call our team on 020 7060 9992 and discuss your investment options and they’ll ensure you make a purchase that will sweep your Valentine off her feet with a memorable purchase that will be remembered in the years to come.
At this time of year, most people are making either fitness, health or financial resolutions, so there’s a good chance that you’ll be considering a new year’s financial review for 2019. However, according to a report from the University of Scranton, only 8% of new year’s resolutions are maintained or achieved. So, we’ve outlined 5 ways to help you keep those New Year’s financial resolutions.
Reviewing your finances in 2019 is a great idea
1. Undertake a financial review of your current assets
The new year is a perfect time to take stock of your current financial situation, including cash holdings, savings, ISAs, pensions and loans etc., to help identify any areas for potential savings and improvements. You may decide that cash savings held in the bank, for example, are yielding very little interest and may be exposed to an increasing inflation rate in 2019. It’s important that this first task identifies whether your portfolio is diversified enough to protect against volatility and downturns. You can Take this Test to see how exposed your family’s assets are to further market downturns.
2. Be realistic and specific
Setting goals that are too vague or too challenging sets you up for immediate failure, which will probably mean you are likely to give up. Instead, think about smaller, specific financial goals that can provide you with a sense of achievement. It’s important to give yourself a timeframe, so you can measure your achievements, for example, within 3, 6 or 12 months periods.
3. Budgeting
Budgeting is one of the fundamentals of good financial planning. Keeping track of your income and expenditure each month makes it easier to set realistic budgets. Allocating your income in percentages can be a useful habit; for example, 20% for financial priorities, 30% for lifestyle spending etc. This enables you to save and treat yourself at the same time. At Physical Gold we offer a popular monthly saver account, which helps spread the cost of buying gold and also helps with your budgeting plans.
4. Look for tax-free and VAT-free alternatives
It’s not just your ISA that offers you a tax shelter for your investment growth. Rather than paying tax on investment gains, why not consider tax-free gold or silver coins. Make sure you research the best physical gold investment to ensure your gains are tax free and meet your objectives. It’s also never too soon to start planning for your retirement as, any money you put into your pension fund, will grow through the power of compound growth. Plus, you’ll also benefit from the tax relief. Pension Gold provides the opportunity to add gold bullion and balance to your UK SIPP.
Invest in tax free gold and silver with Physical Gold Limited
5. Track your progress
It’s worth financially reviewing where you’re up to on a regular basis, in line with the goals you set, so you can take appropriate action. Step back and consider your portfolio holistically. If you don’t currently own any gold or silver, now could be a good time to consider these, so as to provide balance and protection to your other assets.
Invest in gold and silver as a safe haven in 2019
With 2019 looking likely to continue with uncertainty and instability, especially with both the ramifications of Brexit this year, a new year’s financial review is the perfect opportunity to adopt some new financial habits. Gold and silver have for centuries been safe havens for investors in time of political and economic turbulence. Take a look at our Guide on investing in Gold or Silver for further information on the benefits of precious metals in today’s volatile markets.
Contact Physical Gold for support to your financial review
We know completing a New Year’s financial review can be gruelling, but it’s a very worthwhile exercise. Why not call Physical Gold today on 020 7060 9992 or contact us online for a call back. We are to help and can recommend suitable gold and silver products (from our coins and bars selections) based on your specific financial circumstances.
The day following Thanksgiving in the US is, of course, Black Friday and typically kicks off the official Christmas shopping season. If you thought that people only shopped for clothes, shoes and electronics, you’re wrong. It’s the festive season and a great time of the year to bring cheer to your loved one by buying precious metals. Historically, Black Friday has featured great sales of jewellery with discounts of up to 78.75% in past years.
Gold and silver are great gift ideas for Black Friday
Prices of gold and silver through 2018
The spot price of silver has fallen around 17% in the last year from around $17 per ounce to its current price of around $14.15. This makes silver an enticing purchase with many analysts believing that silver is now at its bottom price and will rise sharply in the future.
The spot price of gold has stayed in a much narrower range, being $1210 per ounce now, starting last November at $1275, rising to a peak of $1362 and a low of $1177. So, there’s been a 5% fall in prices over the year, which makes it also a good time to buy gold.
With 2018 drawing to a close, the focus is now on 2018 with the pundits coming out with their precious metals forecasts for the coming year
Black Friday gold and silver deals in 2018
A number of high street retailers as well as specialist dealers in gold and silver are expected to come forward with great offers for Black Friday – November 23rd, 2018. Goldsmiths have a great range of jewellery that they typically bring out with special offers for Black Friday. Jewellers, Ernest Jones have a range of offers on watches and jewellery on offer.
A trend that is likely to dominate Black Friday 2018 is mobile commerce. Shoppers in the UK are likely to spend more than £1.54billion on 23rd November 2018 – a growth of 13% year on year. Gold and silver retailers like John Greed Jewellery or The Jewel Hut will also join the action to get a share of your wallet during this event.
Ensure you know more before getting a Black Friday deal
Before you rush off and splurge on that Black Friday deal, convinced that it’s a no brainer, stop and think a while. If you don’t have prior experience in buying gold, perhaps you could benefit from our gold buying guide. If it’s silver, you’re after, not a problem.
Here at Physical Gold, we call our pre-festive sale ‘Gold Friday’, to reflect all the golden bargains we offer for a few days. In 2018, our Gold Friday sale runs from 7pm Thursday 22nd November to midnight Monday 26th November. Like last year we’ll be offering discounts off gold and silver coins and bars. Discounts will range from 1% on current year bullion products Best Value 100g Gold Bar, Best Value Sovereigns and Best Value Krugerrands, to up to 3% off Gold bars and up to 10% off more numismatic coins such as the Young Head Victoria Sovereign.
But please don’t wait until Monday night to pick up a bargain. All offers are subject to availability, and we anticipate some of the newly issued coins, and the biggest discounted coins and bars to go quickly. Also, don’t forget our buyback guarantee, which guarantees your right to sell gold and silver to Physical Gold.
Contacting Physical Gold
Whether you are reading this page during Black Friday 2018 or not, Physical Gold provide great prices for gold and silver bars and coins. Why not call us today on 020 7060 9992 or complete our contact form.
It’s an interesting question, which do you trust more? Printing more paper money has been a popular strategy for many central banks around the world. But would money be better if it was backed by gold? We investigate gold and paper money in this article.
A brief look at fiat money
Fiat money is a currency, which includes coins and banknotes that are considered to be legal tender from any government. The term ‘legal tender’ basically implies that a government of a nation will fulfil a promise to pay the bearer of a bank note the exact sum of the amount of money represented by the note. So, it’s like a certificate. The concept actually came from a time in history when the bearer of a bank note could be paid an equivalent amount of a precious metal, which was normally silver or gold. The government decree authorising this move was called a ‘fiat’, hence the name. In fact, fiat money has been around as early as the American War of Independence, which dates back to 1775.
The end of the gold standard
Interestingly, due to a shortage of gold and silver at the time, the earliest forms of paper currency in the US was backed by real estate and tobacco. Tobacco warehouse receipts were issued as promissory notes, authorising the bearer to have a claim on the exact amount of tobacco. Later the colonial governments discontinued this practice and switched to backing the currency with land. Although fiat currencies gained popularity worldwide throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, in August 1971, the US government discontinued the gold standard and terminated the post-war Bretton Woods system, which maintained the position of the US dollar as an international reserve currency, which was backed by gold with a fixed price of $35 an ounce. By then, it had become impractical to justify a fixed price for gold as a commodity that was being traded actively in a vibrant global market.
As more paper currency is printed, inflation erodes its value
The problem with fiat currencies
So, we can see that the very reason the gold standard was abolished was a growing lack of confidence in the US dollar. The balance of payments in the US deteriorated heavily, along with the US share of global output, as emerging economies prospered. The US would not have been able to make good their gold payments to uphold an already inflated dollar.
Stability and inflation have always been an issue with fiat currencies. Today, currencies are traded in forex markets around the world and the dollar’s demand is upheld by its parity to oil. The dollar has made a good recovery in the last couple of months on the back of better interest rates announced by the FED and news of a recovering US economy. As the price of the dollar rises, Asian and African economies who need to buy the dollar at a higher rate to buy fuel, have been plunged into crisis. The price of petrol has gone up dramatically in these nations, pushing the entire cost of living up, through a knock-on effect. Paper currencies now buy far less in these parts of the world than it used to.
In our YouTube video, we discuss the importance of “Gold investment as part of a balanced investment portfolio”
Gold maintains its stability
Fluctuating interest rates across global economies, coupled with inflation are leading concerns for the stability of paper currencies worldwide. In a recent case of hyperinflation, Venezuela’s currency, the Bolivar has become so devalued that paper bags are being made out of it for tourists. In the case of gold, this can never happen. The precious metal has been a global commodity that locks in tremendous value for thousands of years. Whenever the threat of inflation and economic uncertainty looms ahead, we see investors quickly moving to gold to safeguard their interests.
Talk to our gold experts to know more about buying gold
At Physical gold, our precious metal experts conduct extensive research about how gold is performing across the world. They are able to advise you on how to build a robust portfolio of gold and avoid becoming a victim of inflation through investments in cash. Call us today on 020 7060 9992 or send us a message online, and a member of our team will be in touch with you right away to discuss your investment goals.
Economic uncertainty seems to be a given in the times that we live in. Over the last ten years, economic uncertainty across the globe has hit record highs. According to a study conducted by the news network, CNBC in 2016, uncertainty has risen by around 60% in the last five years alone. These figures beat the uncertainty levels of 2008, which we all recognise as the peak of the global recession, spurred on by the US sub-prime mortgage crisis that sounded the death knell for big-ticket investment banks like Lehman Brothers and brought banks like Northern Rock to its knees. The recent spike in uncertainty was exacerbated by events like Brexit, which has had an impact not just in Europe, but across the economies of Asia, Japan, Oceania and the Americas.
The findings of the study revealed that uncertainty went up in the US economy by 19.8% between 2015 and 2016. During the same period, Brazil recorded a spike of 22.6%, China by 83.2%, Australia – 44.6%, France – 28.8% and India – 4.7%. However, the largest increase in uncertainty was recorded in the United Kingdom – 160%.
Uncertainty in global stock markets sees investors move their money to gold
How does uncertainty impact the economy?
Back in 1983, Ben Bernanke published a paper that attempted to model the effects of uncertainty on the economy. Bernanke, some you may recall was the Chairman of the US federal reserve at the time and also a professor at Stanford University. Bernanke observed that certain macroeconomic factors such as oil price fluctuations, monetary and fiscal policy adjustments and even the entry of new technologies were disrupters and triggered investors to move their investments across asset classes and global markets. Even more disastrous are geopolitical events like war and the threat of terrorism. In addition, the world is today threatened by the increasing incidence of natural disasters. A case in point is the 2011 tsunami that struck Japan. That tsunami alone caused losses of $360bn and is considered to be the most expensive natural disaster of all time.
Why is gold considered to a safe haven during uncertainty?
Well, first of all, gold is a tangible asset that one can take physical possession of and store. Gold has been a creator of value since time immemorial. We are well aware that gold was used extensively as a metal of choice for coinage across the world throughout history. The value of gold, therefore, continues to remain stable, and demand for gold is driven by the value it commands in the eyes of human beings.
Gold is scarce and this is yet another factor that adds value to the precious metal. Rising demand and scarcity of supply creates an unbeatable value proposition that cannot be matched by other asset classes. While the price of gold may fluctuate, its intrinsic value in the eyes of an investor remains. On the other hand, stocks, bonds, debt papers, ETFs, and even cash deposits represented by fiat money, are only able to derive their value from the trading price in the market. They have no intrinsic value.
Secondly, other investments are affected by inflation or rising and falling interest rates. Gold is well insulated from these macroeconomic forces. When we see gold price trends over the years, we realise that the price of gold moves inversely to the US dollar. This means when the dollar falls, the price of gold goes up. Therefore, investing in physical gold is a great hedge against inflation and can also create purchasing power for the investor in the years to come.
Holding physical gold can help beat uncertainty and inflation
At times of economic uncertainty, several investors may start to worry about the value of their investments in asset classes like equities. As they start to pull out, the prices start to fluctuate wildly, creating volatility. Most of the value locked in these virtual asset classes cannot be accessed physically, so one may have little or no control over them. At such times, gold investments are generally more secure, as it is a stable asset class and it is something that you can hold in a physical form. Once again, a quick look at gold prices over the years shows us ups and downs, but these losses and gains even out over a period of time and gold is considered to be a stable investment over time.
Most importantly, many investors view their purchases of gold as a constant. They believe that even if we see a total economic collapse around the globe at some point in time, gold will be that one thing which will still hold value. In our opinion, that is reason enough to hold gold.
Talk to our precious metals team about your gold investments
At Physical gold, our team of experts have many years of experience in dealing with precious metals. You’re in safe hands knowing we have membership of various trade associations including the Royal Numismatic Society. They are able to advise you on the best way to build a gold portfolio with regular investments that will stand the test of time. Call us on 020 7060 9992 or drop us a line to get in touch with the team. We always take your investment goals into consideration and advise you on the percentage of your financial portfolio that should be invested in gold, and on how to get the best buys by taking advantage of the markets.
We have earlier spoken several times about investing in precious metals. However, precious metals investing isn’t always what it seems to be. There are myths that need to be debunked about precious metals and in this article, we’ll look at what they are. Investment guru Warren Buffett once said about gold that it’s dug out of the ground somewhere in Africa and that it is buried there again and people are paid to guard it. Now, Warren Buffett has frequently spoken out against investing in gold and precious metals, but could he be right?
Myth 1 – gold may be precious, but devoid of utility
As we all know, Buffett’s primary bias against gold is that his interests are in capital markets, banking and insurance. It’s a well-known fact that his company participated in bailing out the banks during the financial crisis of 2008. Being invested in the banking sector, it’s no surprise that his investment preferences would like in asset classes away from precious metals. If we look deep, we will realise that his outburst against gold is driven more by emotion and sentiment. For several thousand years, gold has been an investment vehicle of choice for the entire world. It was used for coinage and it has several wonderful attributes such as fungibility, rarity, durability and a great hedge against inflation. Its physical qualities make it invaluable in industries such as electronics and mobile technology, to name a few.
Investing in precious metals requires knowledge of the market
Myth 2 – precious metals will have no value in the future, as the world moves to digital currencies
The age of the crypto-currency has seen investors doubting stable investment classes such as gold and silver, as many believe that eventually as we move forward to the 22nd century, precious metals may become redundant. However, the most important thing to keep in mind is that cryptocurrencies are a virtual medium. They are highly volatile and prone to great market risk and volatility. As they are not physical, investors have little control over the way they behave. Gold, on the other hand, is a highly physical and tangible asset that has been globally accepted as a repository of value for thousands of years. Gold is not a speculative asset, and investors looking to make a fast buck through short-selling would find gold unattractive. However, investors looking to build a rock solid portfolio that can outlive their own lives and can be bequeathed to future generations would find the stability of gold reassuring.
Myth 3 – the price of precious metals behaves inversely when interest rates rise
In order to look deeper into whether or not this myth has any basis, we need to take a long hard look at gold price trends over the years. It stands to logic, that when interest rates are on the rise, investors are better off putting their money into currency markets. However, if we see gold price trends as recent as 2015, we can see that the Fed initiated an interest rate hike in December of that year. It was commonly believed at the time that gold and silver would plummet. While the US interest rates rose from 2014 to 2016, both precious metals witnessed price increases
Gold investments are safe in storage like the Bank of England gold vault above
Myth 4 – in the event of a global economic crash, gold may crash completely
As gold is both a precious metal as well as a commodity, it has virtually no correlation with global stock markets, bond markets or housing. One of the factors that keep the price of gold and silver on the rise is scarcity, backed by high industrial demand. As technology progresses, this demand will continue to rise and as we all know, gold is a finite asset. A recent example is the famous 2008 global economic crisis. While virtually the entire stock market was wiped out, including stocks of mining companies, gold fared well for the year. Infact, we have ample proof that investor sentiment is geared towards investing in gold as a safe haven to protect against times of economic turmoil. Therefore, a global economic meltdown would see most investors turning to precious metals like gold and silver.
Myth number 5 – the gold market is manipulated and only insiders can make money
Physical gold and silver markets are very different from paper markets. When we say paper markets, it means exchange-traded funds or ETFs. It is true that some level of manipulation happens in the paper markets, which is mostly geared towards derivatives or futures. Size and clout do matter in these markets and ordinary investors are never privy to the information available to the top financial companies and big banks. These institutional investors have top-quality research, as well as key information that allows them to make smart decisions when trading. Moreover, since their trains are high volume, they are able to get the best price. Physical gold and silver are different. At Physical gold, many of our investors are ordinary customers, just like yourself. Our precious metal steam is able to advise investors like yourselves on the best way to buy gold and silver. We can also help you get price advantages since we are able to obtain large discounts.
Always research your broker rather than walk into a high street gold store
Myth 6 – gold doesn’t pay you any interest and this makes it a bad investment
Well, if you’re a shareholder of large companies you might notice that these big-ticket companies also pay you no interest and the annual dividend is a mere pittance. Infact, one of the biggest critics of gold – Warren Buffett’s company, Berkshire Hathaway does not pay interest or dividends. On the other hand, there are many junk bonds that can get you yield of 50% more for short spans of time, but they are highly risky and the market is very volatile. Even investments made in cash deposits, which are backed by your bank are prone to lose value, simply due to inflation. The reason that physical gold or silver doesn’t pay you interests is that they are not debt instruments. In the UK, many of your investments and physical gold are tax-free. This is an added advantage of investing in physical gold. However, your earnings from the equity and debt markets are subject to taxation.
Myth 7 – precious metals do not fit well into an asset allocation strategy
The reality is in fact far from it. Precious metals do form an integral part of any asset allocation strategy, along with several other asset classes ranging from real estate, capital markets, mutual funds and cash deposits. It aids in diversifying a portfolio. Infact, many investment experts do claim that investors should have at least 12 to 15% of their portfolio allocated to precious metals.
Myth 8 – buying precious metals are unsafe, as you are likely to be cheated or burgled
When buying precious metals, it is important to connect with a reputed online broker. A reputed online broker will have a team in place who would speak with you, discuss your investment goals, advise you on how to invest and guide you on the best way to invest in precious metals. For example, at Physical Gold, all our products come with a certificate of genuineness and a guaranteed buyback, should you want to liquidate your asset. Like all other investments, investing in physical gold and silver requires some knowledge of how when and where to buy. This ensures that you don’t end up trading with a rogue broker and get cheated. As far as storage goes, many reputed brokers, including Physical Gold do offer storage facilities to their customers, should they not be willing to take delivery of their physical gold and silver. Our customers get to store their assets safely in an LBMA approved vault. Even if you do prefer taking physical delivery of your purchases, we are able to dispatch them via insured courier and can advise you of certain accessories that you can buy in order to safely store your gold at home.
Talk to our investment experts before putting your money into precious metals
In the same way that it’s important to debunk myths about precious metals investing, it’s also important to speak with knowledgeable advisors before making investment decisions and buying precious metals. Call us now on 020 7060 9992, or drop us an email via our website and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly to discuss your investments.
Timeless and elegant, a beautiful gold Christening gift is always an excellent choice. But it’s not always easy to decide what to choose; a stunning pendant the child can wear as they grow up? A handy little money box perhaps. After all, gold is synonymous with wealth, plans for the future and the importance of saving. It has long been traditional in many cultures that the gift of a bullion bar or coin symbolises hope for the future and can, of course, be invested. Why choose a Christening gift that everyone else will have thought of? Cash says clothes and toys; gold says university and first car
gold crucifix
Gold money boxes
When a new baby comes along, there’s usually a well-meaning queue of grandparents, godparents and friends who would like to give money. So why not choose a beautiful gold money box to keep it all safe in one place. Available in a massive variety of shapes and designs a stunning gold money box makes the perfect addition to any nursery. You could even give it alongside a beautiful gold coin collection too.
Gold photo albums
The perfect elegant Christening present idea, a gold photo frame is ideal for displaying a special photo from the big day. No matter what size or design you choose, a gold photo frame is something that can be cherished and enjoyed for years to come.
A classic Christening gift that spans centuries, gold baby bangles can be as ornate as you like, or simply plain. They can also be inscribed with a personal message and most bangles come with an expandable clasp, so they can carry on wearing the bangle even as they grow.
Gold pendants
Gold Christening pendants usually take the form of the crucifix and signify the important religious aspect of a child’s Christening day. You can choose any purity from 9 carat right up to 24 carat gold, and again you can have the child’s name or a personalised inscription added on the back.
A gold bound book
Gold trinket boxes
With the birth of a new baby comes the start (or extension!) of a family, with years of happy memories to come. A beautiful little trinket or gift box makes the ideal keepsake as throughout the child’s life new mementos can be added and cherished. A gold trinket box is also ideal for parents to store precious memories as their child grows, such as a first lock of hair and tiny pieces of baby jewellery.
Gold cutlery
Gold cutlery sets have been a popular choice of Christening present throughout the centuries. Not only are they wonderfully practical, they’re perfect for a wall or cabinet display to commemorate the special day for years to come. Signifying luxury and wealth, you’ll find all sorts of gold cutlery including knives, forks, spoons, teaspoon rests and much more. Parents, grandparents and godparents can also choose to add to the collection too.
Gold commemorative plate
Give a gift that will last a lifetime with a gold commemorative plate. Complete with a display stand, you can choose a personalised inscription like a poem, wish for the future or simply the child’s name and Christening date.
Contact Physical Gold to invest in gold today
Looking to invest in the perfect gold Christening gift but not sure where to start? Physical Gold is here to help. Call us on 020 7060 9992 or drop us an email to ask a question, find out more about our investment opportunities or simply get some further advice.
A guide we have put together to help understand – gold jargon, gold lingo, gold terminology, gold terms, gold definitions, investing jargon, silver jargon, silver terminology and silver terms. As an investor keen on investing in gold or silver, it’s important to be up to date with silver and gold terminology. The precious metals market has several such terms, which it would seem are known only to savvy investors. When trading in gold and silver, we need to be aware of these terms as parties we deal with, such as gold investment brokers, financial advisors, numismatists, all use these terms in one way or the other when dealing with clients. There are key terms to be aware of, for example, gold and silver are measured in troy ounces. The troy ounce is not the same as a regular ounce. A troy ounce is 31.103 gms. This means a troy ounce is 1.09 regular ounces. This is an interesting example. Often, investors buy a 100-ounce gold bar. They would expect that it weighs 6.25lbs on the scale, but when it shows 6.85lbs, it often leaves them confused.
Gold craftsmen and traders often use industry jargon to communicate
Similarly, there is a difference between sterling silver and pure silver. Pure silver, otherwise known as ‘fine silver’ is the purest form of the white metal available in the industry, which has a purity of 99.9%. However, the problem with using fine silver to manufacture jewellery or silverware is that it’s way too soft and malleable. These items, which enjoy high demand from customers require a much harder version of silver that can hold shape, as well as provide a durable, shiny exterior. After all, the lure of silver is in its shine and sparkle. So, manufacturers use another form of silver, called sterling silver, which is, in fact, an alloy. It’s only 92.5% pure silver, while the other 7.5% consists of base metals.
Decoding the jargon
Every trade has its own technical language that we often call lingo or jargon. Have you ever heard two doctors having a conversation? They usually use a lot of words which are a part of medical terminology, and they look like they perfectly understand each other. However, it can be frustrating for a layperson, to whom it all sounds like double Dutch. Now, as an investor, you need to learn the precious metals business first. How else are you going to make money out of it if you don’t understand it in the first place? So, you need to learn the language of the trade. The minute you do that and go have a conversation with a gold trader, you will be taken seriously right away. Now that you speak the language, you’re one of them and you won’t be treated like a novice. Gold and silver terminology also comes in handy when doing your own research. All investors do their research on the market before making purchase decisions. Familiarity with investment-related jargon is essential for you, especially if you’re new to investing in precious metals.Learn all about jargon by watching, “Gold & silver investment jargon explained”
Call our team of consultants to learn more
At Physical Gold, our team of consultants are ever ready to guide investors just like you in learning more about the market. We believe that savvy investors are important in creating a balanced marketplace. Call us on 020 7060 9992 or contact us via email to connect with one of our consultants. We will try our best to avoid unnecessary investing jargon!
An A-Z Glossary of Terms for Gold and Silver
Listed below is an A-Z of many gold and silver terms you will find in the gold and silver industry. These are arranged in ascending alphabetical order.
A – B
Alloy
A mixture of two or more metals. Metals such as silver, nickel, copper and zinc are frequently mixed with gold to improve its hardness and/or change its colour.
Allocated Gold
When an investor buys gold outright and stores it in a professional bullion vault with a safekeeping agreement in the custody of a bank, it is commonly known as allocated gold. This gold is not the property of the bank but is owned by the investor. In the event of the bank becoming insolvent, allocated gold is not lost. However, the investor may require paying certain storage charges to the bank which needs to be factored into the cost of the transaction.
American Eagle
The American Eagle is a type of official bullion coin which is produced by the United States Mint. First released in 1986, the coin is predominantly minted in gold but has on occasions also been minted in both Silver and Platinum.
Assay
An analysis of a metal used to determine its purity. A series of assays can be run to determine the alloys in the metal as well.
AG
The chemical symbol for silver with atomic number 47.
AU
The chemical symbol for gold which is derived from “aurum”, the Latin word for gold.
BNTA
British Numismatic Trade Association
Britannia coin
The Britannia is the British one-ounce gold or silver coin, first produced in 1987.
BU
Brilliant Uncirculated used to describe a coin in new condition. The same pristine condition as when it left the mint.
Buffalo
The Buffalo is the American one ounce 24 karat gold coin, first produced in 2006.
Bull Market
A market in which the primary trend is up.
Bullion
Precious metals in bulk form which are traded are known as bullion. Bullion can come in the form of bars or minted into coins.
Bullion Coin
A coin with a symbolic face value whose market value is determined only by its inherent precious metal content.
C – G
Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
A capital gains tax (CGT) is a tax charged on the profit realised on the sale of certain assets that were purchased at a lower price. The most common capital gains are realized from the sale of bonds, stocks, and property. There is no Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to pay when a UK resident sells British legal tender coins at a profit. This contrasts with many alternative investments that attract income or capital gains tax. Therefore, an investor gets to keep all their profit, which further enhances returns.
Carat
See Karat
Certified Gold
A “certified” gold coin is encapsulated in a tamper-proof, sonically-sealed, high-security hard plastic holder, with a unique certification number and bar-code permanently sealed inside each coin capsule for the protection of the investor.
Chinese Lunar Coins
These are coins minted for each Chinese New Year by the Shanghai Mint. These have been minted each year since 1981 and are available in gold, platinum and silver. The reverse of each lunar coin depicts the zodiac animal for that lunar year, whereas the obverse reflects an image of cultural significance in China.
Commodity
A useful physical asset whose value is based on its commercial use and scarcity.
Counterfeit
Counterfeiting of precious metals is where imitations are created to deceive or defraud the buyer. They look genuine to the naked eye but when tested are counterfeit. Always buy gold and silver from a reputable dealer such as Physical Gold.
Device
A design found on a coin. Frequently it is the bust or profile of a person who symbolizes a particular country at a particular time in history or a country’s coat of arms or insignia.
Die
An engraved metal tool used to strike or stamp the design on a coin.
Divisibility
How many individual elements a precious metals allocation consists of. It is deemed to have more divisibility to hold 10 x 1 ounce gold bars than 1 x 10 ounce bar.
Electrum
This is a naturally occurring gold and silver alloy, which also contains trace elements of other metals (e.g. copper).
ETFs
Exchange-traded funds or ETF’s are another way to buy gold without physically owning them. The funds are managed by fund managers who have proven expertise in the gold market, so the assumption is that they would know better about trading in gold than an ordinary individual. When buying an ETF, you buy units in an exchange-traded fund, and as the fund performs better, the value of your units goes up. However, it’s important to research the fund before putting your money into it. Many funds have different expense structures and it’s important to understand these properly. The liquidity of the fund is also important, as many funds sell their units without backing them properly buy gold. This can cause problems later on if several investors start selling their units, the fund may not have enough assets to back themselves up.
Face Value
The legal monetary value stamped on a coin.
Field
The open area or background on a coin.
Fineness
The purity of a precious metal measured in 1,000 parts of an alloy: a gold bar of .995 fineness contains 995 parts gold and 5 parts of another metal.
Fine Weight
The metallic weight of a coin, ingot, or bar, as opposed to the item’s gross weight which includes the weight of the alloying metal.
Gold Eagle
The Eagle is the American one ounce 22 karat gold coin, first issued in 1986.
Gold Futures
A future is a financial product where you take a product position now, and the settlement date is a pre-decided date in the future. This means that you don’t have to pay for the entire amount at this point in time and the seller also doesn’t need to deliver any gold to you. Many investors speculate on gold future trades, in an attempt to buy and sell before the delivery date and simply pay out their gains and losses. You need to pay a margin when buying a gold future. A margin is a down payment that locks you into the deal, reassuring the seller that you will not walk away. One needs to be aware that if the price of gold falls during that period, the margin needs to be topped up.
Gold Reserves
These are reserves of gold held by the central banks of governments for numerous purposes such as currency protection and managing balance of payments deficits, etc. Governments often top-up gold reserves in times of economic uncertainty
Gold:Silver ratio
The amount of silver you can buy with the same money it costs to buy one ounce of gold at any given point in time based on their spot prices. So, a ratio of 85 would mean that 1 ounce of gold would buy 85 ounces of silver.
Gold SIPP
A SIPP is a self-invested personal pension plan . Gold can be part of this plan as an investment and SIPP options are available with physical gold. SIPP plans in the UK are capital gains tax-free in addition to which the government might pay up to 45% of the cost of your gold investments . The important thing to note is that the gold will not come to you physically and will be held by your pension fund. There are also certain administration fees that you may need to pay to your pension fund when you invest in such a scheme.
Gold Standard
A monetary system based on convertibility into gold; paper money backed and interchangeable with gold.
C – G
Ingot
An ingot is a form of gold bar, which gets its name from the mould in which the bar is cast
Intrinsic Value
The value of a coin’s metal content, based on its spot price .
Junk Silver
A piece of silver with a purity of less than 90%.
Karat (also spelled carat)
From the Greek word “keration”, meaning carob bean, the term karat is now used to indicate the proportion of gold relative to other substances within a metallic material. One carat is equivalent to a fraction of one twenty-fourth. Gold purity can also be quoted in thousandths, with 24-Karat gold referring to around 999 thousandths. The typical gold bar will have a minimum of 23.88 Karats (or 995 thousandths), and the minimum gold content required to mint any marketable gold coin is 21.6 carats or 900 thousandths.
Krugerrand
The Krugerrand is the South African one ounce 22 karat gold coin, first produced in 1967.
LBMA (London Bullion Market Association)
This is a wholesale market trading in gold and silver, which is over the counter. Members of the LBMA are usually refiners are bullion dealers, activities are overseen by the Bank of England
Legal Tender
Currency in specified denominations which you could use as payment. Legal tender coins have a face value (i.e. Britannia £100) but the gold content is far more valuable than the amount written on it.
Liquidity
The ease in which an asset can be turned into cash.
London Fix
Twice daily bidding sessions in London of five major gold firms, at which the price of gold is “fixed” or set.
Lustre
A shiny appearance on the surface of a coin, usually an uncirculated coin.
Maple Leaf
The Maple Leaf is the Canadian one ounce 24 karat gold coin, first produced in 1979.
Market Value
The price at which a coin or bullion item trades.
Mintmark
The mintmark is a letter or symbol on a coin that identifies where that particular coin was produced.
C – G
Nugget (or Kangaroo)
The Nugget is the Australian one ounce 24 karat gold coin, first produced in 1986. A gold nugget is also a form of naturally occurring gold in its non-refined state, e.g. as found in a gold mine.
Numismatic Coins
Coins whose prices depend more on their rarity, condition, dates, and mint marks than on their gold content alone.
Numismatist
A collector and student of money, especially coins. Numismatic refers to coins of a more historical and collectable nature.
Obverse / Reverse
The obverse is the front of a coin, usually consisting of the image of one or more people. The reverse is the rear of the coin which often features a picture or design.
Paper gold / Paper silver
Ownership of gold or silver which isn’t tangible. Examples are Electronic Traded Funds (ETFs), mining shares, precious metals funds.
Philharmonic
The Philharmonic is the Austrian one ounce 24 karat gold coin, first produced in 1989.
Physical gold / Physical silver
Real gold and silver which can be touched and held. Common forms are bars, coins and jewellery.
Pooled silver / Pooled gold
An arrangement whereby the investor’s precious metals are held by a third party and mixed in with those of other investors. It is common practice for pooled accounts to actually contain less precious metals than it should.
Premium
The additional cost of a gold or silver coin or bullion over and above the spot gold/silver price, including the costs of fabrication, and distribution. Rare coins carry an additional premium called numismatic value which is based on scarcity, quality, demand and intangible factors.
Proof Gold
Each Proof coin is carefully inspected throughout the manufacturing process to make sure that only perfect specimens are issued. Proof coins are usually of a limited issue and often have employed different minting techniques to produce a highly polished mirror finish to the field (background) and a matt finish to the raised features.
Raw Gold
Bullion coins that have not been certified or encapsulated
Safe Haven Asset
A safe haven asset is where people typically invest in times of political turbulence or uncertainty. Gold is known as the ultimate safe haven.
Segregated Storage
Your gold/silver coins or bars are kept apart from other investor’s precious metals. Just as importantly the gold/silver does not fall onto the balance sheet of either the dealer or the storage facility. This means that in the event of either another investor, the dealer, or indeed the storage company itself going bankrupt, your precious metals are fully protected and cannot be touched by creditors.
SIPP
A Self Invested Personal Pension (SIPP) is a UK retirement plan offering the investor the widest possible choice of investments. Investors are able to obtain a discount of up to 50% through tax relief as gold bullion is the only commodity to qualify for a SIPP.
Sovereign
The Sovereign is a British coin weighing 0.2354 oz and was first produced in 1489.
Spread
The difference between the bid and ask price (i.e. the price where we would buy or sell the gold/silver).
Sterling Silver
A standard of silver defined by law as 925 parts pure silver per 1000 parts overall. Sterling silver is the principal standard in the UK and USA.
Tangible Assets
An asset which is tangible i.e. is capable of being felt or touched, something which has real substance and is not imaginary. Hence the name of our Company, Physical Gold.
Troy Ounce
The standard weight in which gold and silver are quoted in the international market, weighing 31.1035g.
VAT
A tax added to certain products and services at sale. The percentage is currently 20%. There is no VAT to pay when you buy investment grade gold coins or bars. This is a great advantage over silver and platinum, both of which generally attract VAT. You’re now able to also buy physical silver through Physical Gold Ltd without being charged VAT.
Best gold and silver apps
The all penetrating world of apps has ensured that today there’s an app for almost anything. Sure enough, it’s no different for investors and enthusiasts of gold and silver. From price trends to authenticity testing, there’s a range of apps out there for precious metals. Let’s take a quick look at some of the best smartphone apps related to gold and silver.
1. Gold and metal detector
The app is targeted at users who want to look for their gold or silver jewellery lost inside the home. The app actually works for most metals, however, users tend to use it to mainly look for their lost gold rings or silver bracelets and the like. Basically, the app uses a magnetic sensor built into most mobile phones to look for metals. Like most metal detector apps, the app measures magnetic field values and detects metals by identifying them when they are within range.
2. Gold price live
Gold price live is an app created by goldprice.org. It provides investors with silver and prices in the form of charts and graphs on a real-time basis. Investors can also view historical data, which helps them track the value of their investments over time. These are available to view through charts that display data on a monthly, half-yearly and yearly basis. Data is also available for 5 and 16 year periods in most national currencies. The prices are available to view in most fiat currencies across the world. The app updates global prices of precious metals every ten seconds, so it’s pretty current when it comes to accurate pricing. The app is available free for both Android and iOS platforms.
Another snazzy app for you, if you’re a blackberry user is money control market. Although aimed primarily at Blackberry users, which is a bit out of date, the app posts real-time updates on commodities like gold and silver, as well as global stock markets. The app is downloadable from the blackberry app world and gives investors a complete bird’s eye view, not just on gold and silver, but debt and equity investments as well.
Smartphone apps for gold and silver investors are using innovative technologies
4. The CoinTrust app
The CoinTrust app is an app that detects counterfeit gold coins and silver coins. It does this by cleverly using a bit of science. Basically, the app records a sonic signal that comes from your gold/silver coin. In order to do this, a user needs to find the relevant coin on the app, switch on the recording and then spin the coin. The app records the sound spectrum of the coin as it clatters against a hard surface and then analyses and compares the sound spectrum with the original recording of the coin stored within the app. Currently, the app has free patterns for the Gold Krugerrand and the Silver Maple Leaf. More patterns are being released soon.
5. Auracle
Yet another gold and platinum tester on the market is Auracle. The app is more advanced as it uses pen probe technology to detect the purity of gold and platinum. It also displays the karat value of the metal on the screen, with a range between 6 to 24 karats.
Call us for advice regarding your gold investment plans
Apps may be a handy tool to have when detecting a fake at home, but to get real expert advice about buying gold or checking genuine coinage, talk to our team of precious metals and numismatics experts. Call Physical Gold now on 020 7060 9992 or email us to get in touch with a member of the team. We’d love to hear from you and our experts can give you some great tips on gold and silver investing. Call us now.
Live Gold Spot Price in Sterling.
Gold is one of the densest of all metals. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity. It is also soft and the most malleable and ductile of the elements; an ounce (31.1 grams; gold is weighed in troy ounces) can be beaten out to 187 square feet (about 17 square metres) in extremely thin sheets called gold leaf.
Silver Information
Live Silver Spot Price in Sterling.
Silver (Ag), chemical element, a white lustrous metal valued for its decorative beauty and electrical conductivity. Silver is located in Group 11 (Ib) and Period 5 of the periodic table, between copper (Period 4) and gold (Period 6), and its physical and chemical properties are intermediate between those two metals.
