If you’re looking to diversify your portfolio, gold is one of the most popular options available. However, investing in precious metals is not without risks and it’s important to consider these before making a move.

Reliability, marketability and earnings (returns on your investment) are the three major yardsticks that most cautious investors look for when considering any new investments. While gold doesn’t score a perfect mark on all of these metrics, it does come close and offers a solid return on your investment.

Gold is also an effective way to protect against inflation and deflation. It’s also untethered to any particular currency, which means that even if the United States collapses into chaos, your gold won’t be worthless because it will still hold value in other parts of the world.

While it may seem tempting to buy and sell your own bullion for profit, it’s always a smart idea to work with a reputable dealer or gold buying and selling company. These companies will provide a higher level of customer service and can offer better pricing on your investments. Additionally, they will typically be able to offer you a more secure storage solution than what is available at home or a safe deposit box.

You should also make sure to research your prospective Arlington gold dealer before making any purchases. While this is true of any new investment type, it’s especially important for gold investments. Using an unfamiliar company can leave you vulnerable to scams or even lose your hard-earned gold investment money. Make sure you find a company with a solid reputation, reviews and ratings from trusted organizations like the Better Business Bureau before you make a purchase.

Finally, don’t mix your investment-grade gold with scrap or jewelry. This can lead to a loss of purity and may compromise the overall value of your investment. Also, be careful not to share information about your gold investments with anyone who doesn’t need to know about them. This can increase your risk of theft or fraud and can also lower your potential returns on your investment.

Ultimately, gold has many benefits and can be a great addition to your portfolio. It’s smart to diversify your assets and gold is one of the best options on the market for mitigating risk and providing a steady stream of income. Before you decide how much to invest in gold, consult with a trusted financial advisor and explore the other options that are available to you. Then, you can make a confident decision on how to buy and sell your gold for the highest possible profits.