The demand for precious metals is rising since they offer excellent value and financial stability. Metals like platinum, palladium, silver, and gold can bring much-needed safety to your investment portfolio.
A diversified portfolio with a strategic mix of metals and equity-based instruments can help you earn improved returns. Today, specialised web platforms facilitate the online purchase of precious metals. However, these metals are expensive. Hence, it’s essential to assess the credibility of the website before placing orders.
Investors should also have valuable knowledge about how precious metal investments work, their pricing trends and factors that trigger precious metal price fluctuations. Websites like indigopreciousmetals.com sell the best quality bars, bullions and coins to investors.
Privacy and Security
You submit sensitive bank information and other personal details when you buy precious metals online. Verify if the website guarantees the security and confidentiality of all investors.
These online platforms usually have integrated firewalls and other security measures in place to ensure that your information is not leaked. The overall reliability of the website is another feature to assess.
Choice of Metals Sold
When buying precious metals for investment, it is crucial to choose “investment-grade” coins or bars. It is best to buy from a website that offers a range of options for investors. Some advanced websites also sell collectable-grade coins, bars, and rare earth metals besides precious metals for investment.
Additionally, the website should list all vital information about the bars and coins it sells, including the name and details of the manufacturers and refineries. Investors should also check if the website gives you choices regarding the weight of the cast bars or coins.
Quality and Purity of Metals
Authentic, high-grade metals come with certificates of authenticity and other vital certifications. Research on how to identify high-grade metals can help minimise risks associated with investing in precious metals.
The purity and quality of cast metal bars and coins is usually inscribed on the bullions. For instance, 999 silver bars or fine nine silver bars contain 99.9% pure silver. Similarly, 999.9 is the purest gold you can buy.
The online platform should have policies and terms to refund you for defective bars and coins or bullions that do not meet the promised quality standards.
Ratings of the Websites
Ratings like the 100% FeeFo rating signify the reliability and service quality of the website. These ratings usually measure the quality of the online platform in terms of metal pricing, transaction swiftness, industry expertise, and customer service.
Top-rated online platforms are highly reliable and offer professional online support to all investors. Compare the prices listed in the platform with similar coins and bars listed in other platforms to check if they are competitive.
Storage Options
Online platforms that sell precious metals provide storage and vaulting options. The right of metal ownership is transferred to the investor, and the metals are stored in secure vaulted accounts in the investor’s name.
Verify that your metal holdings are physically separated from other holdings. It is also crucial to assess the safety, security and quality of the vaults. These platforms usually employ trusted third-party vaulting agents for vaulting solutions.
Insurance and Solvency Risk
Bullion insurance can protect you from the potential loss of value of coins or bars. Responsible precious metal sellers also use additional methods to guarantee that investors do not face solvency risks.
These steps protect clients from financial system failures and mistakes the company may make. You may also check if the company delivers and offers vaulting services in your country.
Final Thought
Terms and conditions relating to capital gains tax and VAT deserve consideration. As an investor, you should insist on fully segregated vaulting. The rights to these bullions and vaults are usually allocated to your family name.