
Is Gold Still Worth Investing In? Long Story Short— Yes!
Gold has a long history of inherent and universal value, but with the price of gold continuing to rise we all can't help but wonder— is gold still worth the investment? Our Director of Finance and Operations, Ruhee Rathod delves deep into why the answer is still yes.
Trajectory of Gold In 2025
Gold prices performed exceptionally well in 2024, outperforming all major asset classes and proving to be a strong portfolio diversifier. Gold rose approximately 25% percent in 2024 due to its role as an effective hedge against heightened geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility. It even outperformed the S&P 500. With the beginning of 2025, market consensus expectations suggest a more modest performance for gold prices this year. The estimation for increase is around 13% for the 2025 year. One factor that will support increased gold prices in 2025 includes stronger-than-expected central bank demand. Beyond its role as an investment, consumer and industrial demand for gold will also shape its value. Markets like India and China, where gold is deeply embedded in traditions and celebrations, are expected to sustain high levels of interest. China and India’s contribution to the gold market will be a key indicator in determining how much gold prices will soar in 2025 as well.
The Federal Reserve has remained neutral towards the end of 2024 but there have been talks of two rate cuts in 2025. Generally, gold prices rise in a low-interest-rate environment. Gold and other precious metals become more appealing because Federal rate cuts weaken the U.S. dollar. One factor that could adversely impact gold prices is if the Federal Reserve decides to increase interest rates. However, higher interest rates didn’t prevent the gold price from increasing in 2024. This could change in 2025. New monetary policies resulting in higher interest rates could adversely impact gold and precious metals pricing in 2025. While gold can be volatile in the short term, it has maintained its value over very long periods, making it a stable component in a long-term investment strategy. The demand for gold is still at an all-time high despite the high price tag. So yes, we anticipate that gold’s upward trajectory is likely to continue in 2025, though its pace will depend on a range of global economic and cultural factors. As jewelers, we observe how these dynamics influence not only the price of gold but also its significance as a material that carries deep emotional and cultural value.
A Dependable Hedge During Economic Uncertainty
Gold continues to stand out as a dependable hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty, making it a valuable asset in today’s complex financial landscape. We see firsthand how gold's enduring value appeals to those seeking stability during times of economic fluctuation. With central banks expanding their reserves and concerns about currency devaluation and market instability lingering, gold offers protection as a tangible asset with intrinsic worth. However, its effectiveness as a hedge often depends on timing and prevailing market conditions. While gold typically holds its value well over the long term, investors should remain mindful of potential short-term volatility and approach it as part of a balanced and diversified strategy. This dual role — as a meaningful material for jewelry and a financial safeguard — speaks to its unique place in both art and investment.

Gold Jewelry As An Investment
Gold jewelry represents one of the largest sources of annual demand for gold, accounting for over 46% of the market total, with historical figures being even higher. This is likely because of gold’s dual purpose as a physical asset, functioning both as an investment and an aesthetic diversification of one’s holdings in the form of wearable art. With the rising price of gold, experts also predict that gold and other fine jewelry will continue to gain even more value over time.
Over the past decade, there has been a notable shift in how consumers think about jewelry. We are seeing that more people are opting for handmade, higher-quality jewelry options rather than mass-produced, commercial-quality pieces. This focus on craftsmanship has fueled a thriving market for bespoke jewelers, vintage and antique jewelry, as well as successful jewelry estate sales. The purity of the gold, the quality of craftsmanship, and the design have the ability to increase in value tremendously — even surpassing the value of the gold itself. The provenance and history of a vintage jewelry piece, including its previous owners, place of origin, and any notable events or associations, can also add to its value. Pieces with documented provenance or historical significance often fetch higher prices at auctions and among collectors.
Gold jewelry also holds cultural and familial significance, often viewed as an heirloom to be passed down through generations. This is particularly true in the Eastern world and within Southeast Asian communities, where there is a deep appreciation for jewelry as a symbol of wealth, history, and family legacy. India and China are by far the largest jewelry markets, together accounting for over 50% of the global total. For many families, a piece of jewelry represents not only a financial asset but also a cherished connection to their heritage.
The Unique Value of Gold Jewelry
Unlike gold coins and bars, which are valued primarily for their pure gold content, gold jewelry carries both the intrinsic value of the precious metal and the added value of craft and design. While many investors often buy gold bullion with the sole purpose of storing value, gold jewelry has so many other merits, like gemstones, design, and cultural significance. Investing in gold jewelry provides a powerful blend of aesthetic curation and financial security. Gold is and has always been a stable asset, offering a timeless investment, combining design and usability with potential long-term gains.

What To Look For When Investing
Within jewelry, there is an increased demand for rare and highly sought-after pieces. It's important to stay informed about market trends, demand patterns, and emerging interests of collectors to make informed investment decisions and maximize the value of your jewelry collection. There are a number of factors that consumers should also consider when investing such as purity, traceability, and quality of craftsmanship. Gold jewelry often has markings that indicate the purity of the gold, the manufacturer, or other details.
Purity is determined by the karat of the gold, which is indicated by a number such as 10K, 14K, 18K, 22K, or 24K. For example, 14K gold is 58.3% pure gold, while 18K gold is 75% pure gold. 22-karat gold is 91.67% pure gold. The purer the gold, the better your investment. A gold jewelry investment should also be made out of solid gold — not just plated gold. This is often marked by a “GF” stamp for gold-filled or a “GP” stamp for gold-plated, both of which should be avoided to maximize your investment. Most gold is appraised by weight and sold by the gram, so the more significant and denser the piece, the higher the price you should expect to pay and earn when you sell.
We always recommend choosing gold jewelry that resonates with you in terms of design and craft. We want to see our clients collect pieces that they genuinely enjoy wearing, and it’s equally important that they wear their jewelry with care and caution. This approach allows gold jewelry to serve a dual purpose of being a cherished heritage item that also will increase in value over time.
Another important characteristic to consider is traceability, the process of tracking the journey of a piece of jewelry from its origins, all the way to you. This process helps ensure that jewelry is authentic, ethical, sustainable, and original. Traceability also helps to build trust with clients who are increasingly concerned about the environmental and human impact of their purchases. It is important for the consumer to have as much information as possible when it comes to their jewelry.
Lastly, I’d encourage you to ask questions. At Bario Neal, we pride ourselves in our commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. We are always open with our clients about provenance, manufacturing, craft, and the sourcing of gold and other materials in the pieces that are handcrafted just for them.

The Impact of The Rise of Gold Prices
Our solid yellow gold and platinum pieces remain our most popular choices, as clients recognize their dual value as both aesthetically pleasing accessories and safe investments. These metals account for a significant portion of our sales.
With increasing geopolitical uncertainty, more consumers are choosing high-quality jewelry that combines craftsmanship with transparency in material sourcing. As a company committed to sustainability, we use Fairmined and recycled gold, which empowers our clients to make conscious choices. Fairmined gold supports artisanal and small-scale miners (ASM), who comprise over 75% of the global mining workforce. This certification ensures that strict environmental and social standards are upheld during the mining process, aligning with our ethos of full transparency from mine to market.
Our clients resonate deeply with our sustainability standards and also appreciate the opportunity to personalize their jewelry as well since we make every piece to custom order. Clients often start with a piece from our collections and then customize it by swapping gemstones, and metals, or adding a hand engraving to create something uniquely their own. Naturally, as consumer demand for ultra personalization rises, our custom design process has seen a significant growth in popularity as well. Clients collaborate with us to bring their dream jewelry designs to life, whether it's an engagement ring, earrings, a necklace, or a bracelet. This process allows them to create deeply meaningful, high-quality pieces tailored to their exact specifications, enhancing both the personal and financial value of their collections. We also offer the unique option to redesign a treasured heirloom into a contemporary piece of jewelry.
Next Steps For Investing
Here are some steps to consider when investing in gold for the first time:
- Understand the risks — Gold has its own unique set of challenges. It can be volatile and fluctuate significantly over a short period of time. Gold's past performance is no guarantee of its future price. It is important to do your own due diligence and research and really determine if this is the right investment for you.
- Consult a financial advisor — A financial advisor can help you determine the right allocation of gold within your overall portfolio strategy.
- Choose your investment type — What type of gold do you want to invest in? Decide if you prefer jewelry, coins or gold ETFs.
- Define your timeline — Gold is not a short-term investment.
- Consider storage — The IRS requires that you store your gold in an approved depository. Your custodian can typically help arrange this.
- Keep detailed records — It's crucial to maintain accurate records of your transactions, investments, purchase receipts, account statements, and tax documents.