Gold is a precious metal, known for its bright yellow color, its malleability and its resistance to corrosion. It has been prized by humans since ancient times and has been used in various contexts, including jewelry, electronics, investing, and art.
The properties of gold
Bright yellow in colour, gold is a solid metal at room temperature, which acquires a liquid state once it reaches its melting point at 1064.4 °C. It has high malleability and ductility, so it can be hammered into very thin sheets or pulled into thin wires. It is also very resistant to corrosion, so it rarely oxidizes or is subjected to the action of many acids and chemicals. Furthermore, it is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat.
It is commonly known as a fine metal for making rings, necklaces, bracelets and other ornaments, but it can also be mixed with other metals to create alloys with different properties and colors.
The strong potential as an electrical conductor and resistance to corrosion allows gold to be used in electronic components: it is found, in fact, in printed circuits, connectors and electrical contacts.
Gold is considered a safe and reliable investment, as its value tends to remain stable over time. People can buy gold in different forms, such as bars, coins, ETFs or mutual funds.
Factors influencing the price of gold
The price of gold is influenced by a number of factors, including the relationship between supply and demand: if the demand for gold increases and the supply decreases, the price tends to rise. On the contrary, if demand decreases and supply increases, the price tends to decrease. Inflation is also a determining factor: in fact, gold is considered a safe haven against inflation, as its value tends to increase when the purchasing power of currencies decreases.
In times of economic or geopolitical uncertainty, investors tend to take refuge in safe assets such as gold, causing its price to rise. Higher interest rates make gold investments less attractive, as gold does not offer a return like bonds or bank deposits.
The price of gold is often quoted in US dollars. If the dollar weakens, the price of gold in euros tends to increase.
Here are the ways to invest in gold: all the advice to follow
By purchasing gold bars or coins, you can invest easily and directly in gold. Gold bars come in different sizes, while the most popular gold coins are Krugerrand and the Sovereign.
You can rely on investing in gold ETFs or mutual funds, which offer a way to expose yourself to the price of gold without having to purchase physical gold. Otherwise, investing in gold mining companies through shares is equally valid. However, this type of investment is riskier than buying physical gold, as the value of the shares can fluctuate significantly.
Here’s how much gold is worth right now
The price of gold per gram in Italy is around 50.74 euros.
Please note that this value is only an indication and may undergo slight variations during the day, based on the trend of the precious metals market.
