Investing in gold bars is a time-honoured strategy for securing financial stability and growing wealth. Whether you’re a novice investor or an experienced collector, choosing the right gold bars is crucial to maximising your returns.
But with a variety of sizes and brands available, it can be challenging to determine the best options for your portfolio. In this guide, we’ll show you the best gold bars to buy for a sound investment, so you can confidently make informed decisions and achieve your financial goals.
Why invest in gold bars?
Investing in gold bars is a strategic choice for both collectors and investors. It is one of the most straightforward ways to preserve and grow wealth, offering a range of long-term benefits, including diversification and protection of your portfolio, as well as simplicity, reliability, and flexibility.
- Wealth preservation: Historically, gold has been a reliable store of value for centuries. Unlike paper currency or gold coins, gold bullion bars maintain value over time, making it an excellent hedge against inflation and economic uncertainty.
- Liquidity: Gold bars are highly liquid assets. They can be easily bought or sold in most parts of the world, ensuring that you can quickly convert your investment into cash if needed.
- Portfolio diversification: Including gold bars in your investment portfolio can reduce overall risk. Gold often performs well when other investments, such as stocks or real estate, falter.
- Lower premiums: Larger gold bars often come with lower premiums over the spot price compared to smaller weights, such as 2.5g or 5g gold bars. This means you get more gold for your money.
Five best gold bars to buy for investment
When considering gold bar investments, choosing the right size and type can significantly impact your investment’s success. After all, not all gold bars offer the same value, liquidity, or cost-effectiveness, so it’s important to educate yourself on the specific attributes and market factors of each type.
Here’s a detailed look at the best gold to buy:
1. 1 Gram Best Value Gold Bars
For first-time investors, 1 gram Best Value Gold Bars provide an easy and affordable way to start investing in gold. They are small, affordable, and easy to liquidate. Despite their size, they still provide the same high purity and quality as larger bars. LBMA-approved leading mints such as PAMP Suisse and Valcambi produce 1 gram bars that come with security features like serial numbers and certificates of authenticity, making them a secure choice for beginners.
2. 1 oz Gold Bars
One popular choice for gold investors is the 1 oz gold bar, thanks to its ideal balance between value and liquidity. These bars are compact enough for easy storage and sale but large enough to provide a significant investment value. Plus, they are also a solid option if you are unconcerned with Capital Gains Tax. 1 ounce Umicore and PAMP Lady Fortuna gold bars are highly sought after, and each one offers 99.99% purity, ensuring exceptional quality and value.
3. 100g Gold Bars
For those looking to make a more substantial investment, 100g gold bars are an excellent option. Why? Well, they provide better value per gram compared to smaller bars while remaining relatively easy to sell. Top picks for 100 gram gold bars in our collection include the Swiss-made Metalor Cast Gold Bars, renowned for their impeccable craftsmanship, and the elegant PAMP Rosa Gold Bar, which features a sophisticated rose design and sleek packaging.
4. 500g Gold Bars
500g gold bars are ideal for serious investors aiming to significantly diversify their portfolios. Firstly, they provide a lower premium per gram, making them a cost-effective choice for large-scale investments. Produced by reputable refiners such as Umicore and Valcambi, these 500 gram bars are known for their exceptional quality and purity. Global recognition also ensures ease of trade, enhancing their appeal as a solid investment option for those looking to maximise their gold holdings
5. 1kg Gold Bars
Finally, if you’re a large-scale investor looking to make a substantial investment, 1kg gold bars are perfect. Like other large gold bars, they have one of the lowest premiums per gram, making them a very cost-effective option for buying gold in bulk. These bars provide excellent value and are highly regarded for their quality. Want a timeless piece of precious metal? Choose the 24-carat Heraeus Branded Pure Gold Cast Bar to enjoy unmatched purity, classic elegance, and reliable value. Or, consider investing in the Valcambi Cast Gold Bar which exudes luxury and is emblazoned with a unique serial number, so that its purity can easily be verified.
What to consider when buying gold bars
When investing in gold bars, several key factors should be taken into account for you to make a wise and profitable purchase. From purity and bar size to storage, each element plays a crucial role in helping you buy with confidence and build a solid, secure gold portfolio.
Purity
Always choose gold bars with a minimum purity of .9999 (24 karat). This ensures that you are buying the highest quality gold available. Lower purity bars can be harder to resell and may not retain value as effectively. A simple way to confirm purity is by checking for an assay certificate, which guarantees authenticity and reassures you that your gold is genuine.
Reputation of the mint
Not all gold bars are created equal, which is why the reputation of the mint or refinery matters. Well-known institutions such as PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Heraeus, and the Royal Mint are known for their high standards of quality and authenticity. Buying from reputable sources reduces the risk of counterfeit products and makes resale much easier.
Size
Consider the size of the gold bar that best fits your investment goals. Smaller bars (1g to 10g) are affordable entry points and easier to sell in smaller quantities. However, they carry higher premiums per gram. On the other hand, larger bars (1 kg) offer lower premiums but may be harder to liquidate quickly. Striking the right balance between affordability, efficiency, and flexibility is key when choosing your bar size.
Cost and premiums
When you buy a gold bar, you’re paying more than just the spot price of gold. The difference, called a premium, includes manufacturing, packaging, and distribution costs. To make the smartest purchase, compare premiums across multiple dealers to ensure you get the best deal and more value from your gold investment.
Liquidity
Liquidity refers to how easily you can sell your gold when you need to. Bars from recognised and trusted mints are generally easier to trade and fetch better resale prices. As mentioned, smaller bars often offer greater flexibility since they can be sold in increments, while larger bars may take longer to find a buyer. Stick with well-known, LBMA-accredited refiners and popular sizes that are in high demand.
Storage
Proper storage is just as important as buying gold. Not only does it keep your bars in excellent condition, but it also preserves their value. While some investors use home safes, many prefer bank safety deposit boxes or professional vaulting services for extra security. Some dealers like BullionGiant even offer gold storage solutions with insurance included, giving you peace of mind.
If you need a little more guidance, then read our article on how to buy gold for more information.
Where is the best place to buy gold bars?
Your gold is only as secure as the seller from whom you buy it, so choosing a trustworthy provider is key, regardless of whether you’re a beginner or an experienced investor. Different buying options come with varying levels of convenience, security, and cost.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common places to buy gold bars and what to consider for each.
Trusted dealers
Trusted, established gold dealers are one of the safest ways to buy gold bars. They usually offer a wide selection of bars in different sizes and brands, along with certificates of authenticity.
- Pros: You get peace of mind knowing your gold is genuine, with professional guidance, clear pricing and secure transactions. Most dealers also offer insured delivery against loss or damage during transit.
- Cons: Prices may include higher premiums and admin fees than buying directly from a refinery, and smaller local dealers might have limited stock. Despite this, the security and reliability make them a popular choice.
LBMA-accredited refiners
Buying gold directly from LBMA-accredited refiners ensures the highest level of authenticity and quality. These are globally recognised, meaning their bars are easily tradable and trusted worldwide.
- Pros: Very low risk of counterfeiting and refiners often offer competitive premiums for large orders, giving buyers better value for money compared to smaller dealers or marketplaces.
- Cons: Potentially higher minimum purchases and may involve extra shipping costs. This option is more ideal for those looking to invest large quantities or establish a long-term portfolio with top-tier bullion.
Online marketplaces
Online marketplaces offer convenience and sometimes competitive prices, but they carry higher risks. For first-time investors who want guaranteed security, this option isn’t ideal. They’re better suited to experienced buyers who can identify reputable sellers and comfortably verify gold before making a purchase.
- Pros: Easy access to a wide range of sellers and the potential to find deals on smaller bars or collectable editions like the 5 Gram PAMP Diwali Lakshmi & Rangoli.
- Cons: High risk of counterfeit or misrepresented gold, limited buyer protection, and variable pricing. Transactions require careful research, verification of authenticity, and sometimes shipping insurance.
Start your gold bar investment with Bullion Giant
We hope this guide on the best gold bars to buy for your investment has been useful. At Bullion Giant, we understand that investing in gold can seem overwhelming. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with the best options and excellent customer service.
Our selection includes a wide range of gold bars from the world’s most reputable LMBA-approved mints, ensuring that you receive only the highest quality products with long-lasting value.
What’s more, we offer flexible payment options, so you can pay via bank transfer, debit or credit card. We also accept cryptocurrency, giving you flexibility and freedom to place orders of any size—without limits!
Visit our website today to explore our collection and start your journey toward a secure and prosperous future with gold. Alternatively, get in touch and we’ll be happy to assist you with any queries or advice on the best gold bars that are right for you.
