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For hundreds of years before the internet came and ruined everything, buying shares in a company would see you issued with a fancy-looking, paper stock certificate. While I’m sure these were an absolute nightmare to keep track of and keep safe, there’s something to be said about an investment that’s a real, physical thing you can hold or put on your wall or papier-mâché or whatever.
The good news is there are some investments where you can still do that, the most notable (and popular) of which being gold. This shiny yellow metal has obsessed humans for millennia, and continues to do so in 2025.
The price of gold is rising.Credit: Michael Howard
Over the past five years, the price of gold has risen more than 150 per cent, from around $1800 an ounce pre-pandemic, to more than $4600 an ounce today. While this is great news for gold fans (self-described as “goldbugs”), the reason behind this rise is a little less positive, as gold is generally viewed as a safe haven during times of geopolitical turmoil.
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What’s the problem?
However, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a good investment, and increasing numbers of investors of all shapes and sizes have started to pay more attention to it.
What you can do about it
So if you’re thinking about adding a bit of shine to your portfolio, here are some things to consider: