Investing in gold isn’t a new trend but that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible to start now. Precious metals always seem to hold their value no matter how the market is fairing. Gold is one of those metals that will always be around, and it will always be needed. Gold prices are determined by demand, and of course speculation. Since it is always in demand the price is sure to be high, and as an investment it is considered to be rather safe. However, as with any market, no investment is 100% safe, though it is one of the safest.

Investing in gold can be accomplished a few different ways. You can physically buy gold, buy into future trading, buy mutual funds that invest into gold, or you may choose the riskier option of buying into companies whose core business is gold. You will have to determine how you would like to invest prior to starting. With the exception of outright buying gold, the remaining ways will require funded trading accounts, and if you do not already have one you will need to start one before you can buy.

Buying gold outright is great for those just getting started, or with little upfront money for investing. It is also great as a side collection as most of this gold will be in coin currency, though bars are also available too. If choosing coins you will want to make sure you are buying from a reputable source, and even then make sure you have your coins tested by a third party to ensure they are authentic. Counterfeit coins has become a growing trend that is catching unsuspecting investors by surprise. Ask your dealer if they have any guarantees prior to purchasing, just in case they sell you a counterfeit coin.

If you are purchasing gold bars, also known as bullion, your first stop should be the local bank. If your local bank does not sell bars, your next step should be finding a reputable bullion dealer. Just like with coins, you will want to make sure you are getting the real deal, and should have all purchases tested by an independent third party. Large bars of bullion are among the most counterfeit, though this does not mean they all are. Ask your seller if they have any type of guarantees prior to purchasing so that you may recoup your money if a bar does indeed turn out to be a fake.

Another way is to buy E-Gold, or digital gold currency. You actually buy the gold itself however, these companies do not fall under bank regulations so you are buying at your own risk. The exception to this is Bullion Vault and Gold Money who have a known reputation for being honest, and self regulate with the utmost scrutiny. They account for every single gold bar bought, or sold.

If you are looking to use the stock market to purchase your gold you will need to find a broker that deals in gold. There are some online brokers that deal with nothing but precious metals, or there are larger brokerage firms too. You will have to do some research to determine the best one for you, as some investors will like one, while others might choose another. Most of this is determined by the ease of use, or the companies’ software itself. Another factor that might come into play is your general knowledge of how the stock markets work, and the different types of trading involved.

You can trade a few different ways with the stock market. The most common is by trading the gold exchange traded funds, also known as ETFs, on the NYSE, or the LSE. You purchase them through stockbrokers and are good investment for short term sales as they are penalized with a small administration fee. This makes it a great market for day traders and hedge funds.

Buying gold stocks is considered to be very risky. Keep in mind this is not the purchase of gold itself, but the purchase of shares in mining companies. Just because gold is rising doesn’t always mean that the price of a gold mining company will. There are other factors at play with a company itself other than just gold. They have overhead, unions, geologists, local economy and even environmental risks, to name a few, that can all affect the price of the company. You should consider this to be of the utmost highest risk, however this can mean some very large returns, if you’re lucky.

Investing in gold isn’t just for the rich. You can start small, and work your way up, or you may invest into all the different areas of gold. Take small steps, and start however you are financially able, and watch your investment grow. Whether you are looking to start a retirement fund, looking to stretch your retirement, or just like to gamble, gold is one of the safest investments to start with.