Should you invest in gold or precious gems?

PRICEY AFFAIR

Don’t buy these rocks, go for gold,” is an advice heard quite often from the older generation.

 When the bank account gets full with moolah, the young generation (read women) feel the urge to purchase jewellery. After all it is also an investment! But the older generation doesn’t think so and the myth ‘Gold is the best form of investment’ keeps dominating the buyer psyche.

“Diamond jewellery is not really for investment purposes. It’s more a luxury that people indulge in Solitaires and diamond necklaces are extremely popular these days, but definitely not for investment,” says Praveen Goel, CEO, Shree Raj Mahal Jewellers whereas Chitwn D Malhotra, jewellery designer from Dillano (a luxury jewellery brand) feels otherwise: 

“The jump that you get in the price of big-sized diamonds is not possible to get in gold.”The contradictory statements definitely confuse and dash a jewellery lover’s hopes. But the fact that more and more people are now buying diamond jewellery makes one wonder. Also, in the recent Union Budget, the basic customs duty on precious stones and semi-processed, processed diamonds has being rationalised at 2.5 per cent. “This is merely a regulation on the import duties of gold which causes a fluctuation in prices,” comments Goel making one wonder why the Government wants Indians to buy more rocks. 

Barring the point that the precious stones look good, if one has to really purchase them from the point of view of investment then one must go by the advice of experts. “An investment in solitaires can be useful for generations to come. Any diamond above 4-5 carats is a good purchase from the point of view of investment,” says Malhotra. 

Apart from the white sparkling stones, jewellers suggest that ruby, emerald and sapphire are also good options of investment. “A small segment of people are investing in coloured jewellery that is very high end,” reveals Goel, adding that this is still a new trend. Yet, anything above 50 cents for a ruby or sapphire is considered as an equally good investment as in gold. More so, because precious stones such Burmese ruby, south sea pearls and Basra pearls if in good quality, can cost more than diamonds!

One should, however, not fall in the trap of good looking coloured stones and must buy after checking their colour and certification. For instance, a fine ruby would have a pure, vibrant red to slightly purplish red colour. As the colour becomes too orangy or more purplish, the ruby moves down the quality scale. Before buying, one also needs to check if the stone is chemically treated or not. 

But the notion that ‘a precious stone would return a good price when need to be sold’ is a myth. “Most jewellers deduct 10 per cent of the value of the jewellery piece for the labour charges. But if you have a good and rare quality gem then its price appreciates like anything over years,” adds Malhotra making a jewellery lover drool over the thought of buying gems as if making an investment plan!