Five collectible investments more valuable than gold

Although gold can help you diversify your investment portfolio, investing in gold comes with some with risks, especially since gold prices tend to fluctuate. Lucky for you, there are other options.

Fine watches

Watches are not a traditional investment. If you are looking for a safe and solid investment, mutual funds are a better choice. But for investors who like to own something tangible that will hold its value over time, classic watches can be a good choice.

In particular, Rolexes are the best choice for investors looking for a safe watch investment, said Paul Altieri, a vintage watch dealer and founder of Bob’s Watches in Huntington Beach. After 20 to 30 years, Rolexes start to appreciate in value, Altieri said. This has continued to hold true in recent years even as gold has declined in value.

Jewelry

Investing in jewelry is often related to investing in gold, since a lot of jewelry contains gold. But jewelry also contains other elements, such as diamonds. The American Jewelry Institute notes that over the last 20 years, jewelry containing diamonds of the highest quality has been breaking records at auctions by major art houses.

That’s not to say you can simply walk into a jewelry store and walk out with a ring that will be more valuable in a year. However, it’s possible to make a smart investment in jewelry that can beat the returns on gold.

“How one wears and treats the jewelry impacts how long the piece will last or how much repair might be incurred over time,” said Jill Burgum, senior director of fine jewelry at Dallas-based Heritage Auctions.

Antique weapons

The price of guns on both the primary and secondary markets has been skyrocketing in recent years. Meanwhile, antique weapons are another alternative investment that has done very well. From swords and knives to flintlock firearms, antique weapons have been remained a solid investment, according to Leroy Merz of Merz Antique Firearms in Fergus Falls, Minn.

Classic cars

Classic cars are a fun investment collectible, and their return has trounced the value of gold in the past few years. Even as gold continued to slide, classic cars increased in value by 40 percent in 2014, according to an index published by U.K. private bank Coutts, CNBC reported in 2015.

Classic car values have taken a hit since then; the largest U.S. auto auction house Scottsdale saw a decrease in sales in 2016 for the first time since 2010, CNBC reported.

It’s critical to buy the right car and keep it in the right condition. But smart investors might find a lot of value sitting in their own garage.

Coins

Investing in coins has long been a popular hobby. But it might be on the verge of becoming a common investment too, according to some experts.

As with collecting jewelry, the value of a coin collection is often closely linked to gold prices. However, truly rare and sought-after coins are valuable not for their gold content but for the rarity and desirability of the coin itself. Certain coins can be excellent investments that trounce the value of gold over time.