Magnificent Kinkakuji
by: Carl Delfeld
Last week during his tour of Kyoto Japan, President Bush visited the Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji) and described it as ?magnificent?.
He was probably referring to the 1398 Japanese architecture but may just as well have been referring to gold prices which are at an 18-year high. Gold has been a magnificent investment and still has considerable upside.
It is a rare portfolio that I build for a client that does not have some allocation to gold and other precious metals. There are three basic reasons why investors should still consider adding it to their portfolio.
First, gold prices are not normally correlated to other asset class prices. It therefore serves as a buffer or shock absorber to the value of a portfolio when other assets classes are out of favor.
Secondly, there are supply and demand factors. Central banks have been net sellers of gold over the past twenty years. Gold accounts for about 9% of the $4.4 trillion in world central bank foreign exchange and gold reserves, down from 15% in early 2000.
But some central banks are now going the other way. For example, the Russian central bank wants to increase gold?s share of its reserves from 5% to 10%.
Jewelry demand for gold is also picking up especially in China and India. Global investors are also using gold as a hedge for a global recession and potential decline in value of the U.S. dollar or the Euro.
On the supply side, production of gold has been relatively flat for the last 5-7 years and does not appear to be turning around due to maturing mines and higher extraction costs.
The third reason to have some gold exposure in your portfolio is that it serves as disaster insurance from unforeseen but potentially devastating events such as widespread terrorism or severe economic or political upheaval.
Many gold bugs insist that the only true gold exposure is through gold coins. An easier way to gain instant gold exposure is through the iShares COMEX Gold Trust ETF ( IAU) that is up 15.3% so far this year. Another option is investing through the iShares South Africa ETF (EZA) which has considerable exposure to the gold and mining industry and is up 15.9% this year.
Don?t come down with gold fever. A 5-10% allocation to your core conservative portfolio should get the job done. Expect some lusterless years as well as some magnificent returns and restful nights knowing you have some gold under the pillow.
For more information go to http://www.chartwellasia.com or call 877-221-1496
About The Author
Carl Delfeld is head of the global advisory firm Chartwell Partners and editor of the the "Asia-Pacific Growth" newsletter and is the author of "The New Global Investor." For more information please visit http://www.chartwellasia.com.
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Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
by: Keith Thompson
Anyone wanting to make an informed purchase of diamond jewelry needs at least a cursory understanding of the Four C's. These are the standards by which diamonds are graded, and ultimately determine their value. They are Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat weight. What follows is a brief description to acquaint diamond shoppers with these essential benchmarks.
CARAT WEIGHT - Contrary to popular belief, a large stone alone does not a valuable diamond make! While bigger can be better, it's not the only factor. All the other C's carry as much weight in the end, and be sure to use the size as a factor, though not necessarily a determining one. A carat is actually a measurement of weight, not size, equal to 200 Milligrams.
COLOR - The less color the better. In other words, everything else being equal, a colorless diamond will be much more valuable. Diamonds range in color from colorless to...
Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
Gold ring > Making Sense of Diamond Grading Specs!
Irish Wedding Rings
Irish Wedding Rings
by: Martin Smith
There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols.
The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.
The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring
it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.
...
Gold ring > Irish Wedding Rings
How To Lower Your Advertising Budget And Increase Results At The Same Time At Your Self-Storage Site
How To Lower Your Advertising Budget And Increase Results At The Same Time At Your Self-Storage Site
by: Derek Naylor
So, you?ve acquired a customer, they?re paying you a monthly rental fee, referred a friend, purchased packing supplies and a lock from you and just insured their grandmother?s heirlooms and son?s baseball card collection they have stored with you?
What else could we possibly ask for?
A lot.
What if it cost less to acquire this fine customer?
What if we were able to lower your cost of acquisition by just 10%? 20%? 50%?
Don?t laugh, it?s possible.
Most facilities have advertising dollars spread out all over the place.
Some of it is working, some is not, but in most cases the facilities have no clue whether it?s working or not, and if they do, they?re not quite sure how each medium is performing.
How about knowing your cost per call and cost per acquisition for each medium? ...
How To Lower Your Advertising Budget And Increase Results At The Same Time At Your Self-Storage Site
Gold ring > How To Lower Your Advertising Budget And Increase Results At The Same Time At Your Self-Storage Site
Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 1 Buying Gold Jewelry
Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 1 Buying Gold Jewelry
by: Sam Serio
Whether you presently own a retail or web based business and are looking for an additional profit center or you are thinking of starting a business, jewelry is a ?no-brainer? choice for a proven product category. The buying public, (particularly women) never tires of jewelry as the choices in color, materials, finishes and styles are endless and innovations are continual. Every generation reinvents jewelry for itself in much the same way that it reinvents music and fashion. Styles change but the basic facts remain the same. If you are a seasoned professional, please consider the following a refresher course. To the new comer, use this information as a foundation for your ongoing jewelry education.
The Facts About Gold Jewelry
The word gold, used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. Because 24K gold is soft, it?s usually mixed with other metals to increase...
Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 1 Buying Gold Jewelry
Gold ring > Buying Jewelry For Your Business Part 1 Buying Gold Jewelry
Irish Wedding Rings
Irish Wedding Rings
by: Martin Smith
There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols.
The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.
The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.
Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring
it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.
...
Gold ring > Irish Wedding Rings