It’s the time of year when people try their hardest to give loved ones gifts that have lasting value.
For my grandmother, that gift often turns out to be an heirloom piece of jewelry. She has given me several pieces, and each time with the words: “You can sell it if you need money.” I can’t say that hasn’t crossed my mind. Then again, who has the heart to sell a family heirloom?
Buying a friend or loved one an original piece of jewelry with the caveat that they may always sell it if they need some extra money could be a diplomatic middle ground. In other words, buy them a gift that is literally intended to pay off at some future date.
Some companies sell jewelry for people interested in buying it as an investment. One is Menē Inc. (pronounced “meh-nay”), which crafts 24-karat gold and platinum jewelry. It defines “investment jewelry” as a store of value that can appreciate over time. (24-karat gold is essentially pure gold.)
Products at Menē and GoldSilver.com do not include diamonds or other gems, which can make efforts to value the piece more complicated — so the real value of their jewelry is in the metal it contains.
GoldSilver.com sells gold and silver bars and coins, as well as 22- and 24-karat gold jewelry. The precious-metals retailer offers gold pieces from its own line of jewelry as well from New York-based Auvere, which creates and sells high-karat gold jewelry online.
“If you’re going to buy jewelry as an investment, be sure it’s something you’d enjoy keeping and potentially wearing,” said Adam Koos, president and portfolio manager at Libertas Wealth Management Group. “Worst case, if you can’t unload it, you’ve got something you can enjoy.” Read more of this article on the MarketWatch.com website HERE
