Gold Articles
Educational articles to help you understand gold pricing, weight units, purity standards, and more.
Gold and US Election Cycles — 50 Years of Pre/Post-Election Returns
Republican wins average +1.5% gold return in election year. Democratic wins average +4.5%. The 3-point spread is real but tiny next to the macroeconomic factors. Here's the full 50-year record and what the data actually says about 2028.
Silver Cycles — The Industrial-Investment Double Bind
55% of silver demand is industrial — solar panels, EV electronics, brazing alloys. The other half is investment and jewellery. The two cycles pull in different directions and produce silver's strange double-personality price behaviour.
Peak Gold — Mining Supply Cycles and the Coming Squeeze
Gold production has hovered around 3,500 tonnes a year for eight years. Average ore grade has halved since 1995. Discovery rates are at multi-decade lows. AISC keeps rising. What 'peak gold' actually means for long-term prices.
Monetary Easing Cycles — QE, ZIRP, and Gold Rallies
QE1: gold +67%. QE2: +38%. COVID flood: +41% in 5 months. Each round of Fed easing pushed gold higher — not via direct inflation but via real-rate compression and signalling. The next easing cycle will play the same script with an even bigger structural bid.
The Central Bank Gold Cycle 2022-2026 — De-dollarization in Motion
The 2022 freeze of Russian central bank reserves changed how every non-Western central bank thinks about dollar holdings. The result: an unprecedented three-year run of 1,000+ tonne annual gold buying by sovereigns. The structural floor under gold prices is new.
Gold Seasonality — Diwali, Chinese New Year, and the Q1 Pattern
January's +1.5% and August's +1.4% average monthly returns aren't random. They map to Chinese New Year and Indian wedding-season demand. March (-0.4%) and October (-0.4%) reflect the lulls that follow. Here's the seasonal pattern and how to use it.
Gold-Silver Ratio Cycles — Trading the Spread at Extremes
The 1991 ratio of 99. The 2011 ratio of 32. The 2020 ratio of 124. Each extreme marked a turning point for the precious-metals cycle. Here's how the rotation trade works and what today's reading suggests.
Gold in Recessions — Historical Returns, Drawdowns, and Why It Worked
Eight US recessions since 1973, eight different gold outcomes — but a clear pattern. Average gold return through recession: +12%. The two exceptions (1980 and 1981-82) are the most instructive. Here's the full record.
Fed Rate Cycles & Gold — Why Rising Rates Don't Always Hurt
The textbook says higher Fed rates mean lower gold. The 1977 hiking cycle saw gold gain 431%. The 2022-2023 hikes saw gold hit fresh all-time highs. The relationship is real but depends on real rates, not nominal — here's the full record.
Gold Supercycles — 50 Years of Bull & Bear Markets Explained
Since the US unpegged from gold in 1971, the price has rolled through identifiable multi-decade cycles. Knowing which one you're in is the difference between buying at $250 and buying at $4,000. Here are the four-and-a-half cycles, what triggered each, and what ended them.
Istanbul Kapalı Çarşı Gold — Gram Altın, Çeyrek, Bilezik & Lira-Hedging in 2026
Kapalı Çarşı — 568 years old, 3,000 shops — hosts the world's longest continuously operating gold market. With the lira down 75% against the dollar since 2020, gold isn't an investment in Turkey, it's daily savings. Here's how the market works in 2026 and how Turks actually use it.
Bangkok Yaowarat Gold Market — 96.5% Standard, Baht-Weight & the GTA Daily Fix (2026)
Yaowarat — Bangkok's Chinatown — has been Thailand's gold heart since the 1820s. The market runs on rules that don't translate elsewhere: 96.5% purity standard (not 24K), baht weight units (15.244g), one daily national rate from the GTA. This guide unpacks all of it.
Dubai vs Sharjah vs Abu Dhabi Gold — Where to Actually Buy in 2026
Dubai Gold Souk Deira gets the headlines, but Sharjah's Central Souk often beats it by 1–3% on the same Khaleeji 21K design. Here's the realistic city comparison across Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi — with a worked 50g bridal-set example and tax-refund mechanics for tourists.
Mumbai vs Delhi vs Chennai Gold — India's Intra-Country Making-Charge Map (2026)
The IBJA fix means a Mumbai jeweller and a Coimbatore jeweller quote the same per-gram bullion rate. But for the same 22K coin chain, you can save ₹40,000+ by shopping the right city. Here's the making-charge map across India's 12 major gold cities, with worked Mumbai-vs-Coimbatore numbers.
Why Is SJC Gold More Expensive Than World Spot? Vietnam's 2026 Premium Explained
If the world gold price is $145/g, why does an SJC lượng bar cost ₫161M (≈ $187/g) in Hồ Chí Minh? The 12–19% Vietnamese gold premium is a structural feature of the market, set by State Bank Decree 24/2012. This guide explains who keeps the premium open, what changed in 2024, and what holders should know in 2026.
Gold Price in Thailand per Baht Today — 96.5% Bar, GTA Rate, Bangkok Market Brief
Thailand prices gold in baht — but that's a weight unit (15.244 g), not the currency. The Gold Traders Association sets a daily buy/sell rate that every shop in Yaowarat (Bangkok's gold district) follows to the satang. Here's how the Thai market works and what to know before you buy.
The Vault — Frequently Asked Questions
Short, practical answers to the questions new holders ask about The Vault — our free, private ledger for gold, silver, platinum and palladium.
The Vault — A Personal Gold Ledger on thegoldprice.net
The Vault is a free, private ledger for people who buy gold and hold it — not traders. Record each purchase in any currency and weight unit (oz, gram, lượng, tola, baht, tael, don), value your holdings against international spot or your local domestic price, and share view-only access with family. Here's a walkthrough.
The Vault — Bulk Import & Export with Excel or CSV
Bulk-load your vault entries from a spreadsheet — handy if you're switching from another tracker or have years of purchases to backfill. Download the template, fill it in, upload, done. Export works the same way for backups.
Dollar-Cost Averaging into Gold — A Quiet Strategy for Long-Term Holders
If you want to own gold for the long term but find timing the market exhausting, dollar-cost averaging is the simplest strategy that works. Buy a fixed amount on a fixed schedule and let the price come to you over years. Here's how it works, the math behind it, and how to keep score.
Gold Price in Switzerland per Gram in CHF — Live Rates & Buying Guide
Switzerland is the world's gold refining capital — home to PAMP, Valcambi, Argor-Heraeus, and Metalor. It's also one of the few European countries where investment gold is VAT-free. Here's the live gold price per gram in CHF, where to buy, and what makes Swiss gold pricing unique.
Gold Price in Egypt Today in EGP — Live 24K, 21K & 18K Rates
Egypt is one of the Middle East's largest gold markets, with deep roots in 21K jewellery tradition. The domestic gold price in EGP reflects both the international spot and Egypt's volatile exchange rate.
Gold Price in Hong Kong per Tael — Live HKD Rates & Buying Guide
Hong Kong is Asia's gold trading hub and one of the few places where gold is traded by the tael — a traditional Chinese weight unit of 37.429 grams. Here's the live tael price in HKD.
Goldco vs Augusta Precious Metals — 2026 Gold IRA Comparison
Goldco and Augusta Precious Metals are two of the most recognised names in the US Gold IRA market. They look similar on the surface — both focus on retirement rollovers — but differ meaningfully on minimum investment, fees, and education. Here's the head-to-head comparison.
Gold Price in UAE per Gram Today — 24K, 22K, 21K & 18K
Dubai is the world's best-known tax-free gold market. Here's the live gold price per gram in UAE dirhams across 24K, 22K, 21K and 18K, plus why Dubai's premium is so low and how to buy at the Gold Souk without getting ripped off.
Gold Price in Vietnam per Chi & Lượng — SJC 9999 Live Rate
Vietnam prices gold in chi and lượng, not grams or ounces. SJC 9999 is the national standard — and it usually trades well above the world price. Here's how to read Vietnamese gold rates and what the premium means for buyers.
Gold Price in India per Tola Today — Live 24K & 22K Rates
India is the world's second-largest gold consumer, and most Indians think in tolas — not ounces. Here's the live gold price per tola, how it breaks down by purity and city, and what drives the rate you see at your jeweller.
Gold Spot vs Futures vs ETFs — Which Way to Buy Gold Is Best?
Spot, futures, or ETFs — there are many ways to invest in gold. Each has different costs, risks, and benefits. Here's a head-to-head comparison to help you decide.
Central Bank Gold Reserves — Who Holds the Most Gold & Why It Matters
Central banks bought over 1,000 tonnes of gold in 2023 and 2024. See who holds the most, why they're stacking, and what it means for gold prices.
Is Gold a Good Inflation Hedge? — Data, History & What the Numbers Say
Gold is called the ultimate inflation hedge — but is it? We look at 50 years of data to see when gold protects purchasing power and when it falls short.
Tokenized Gold — PAXG vs XAUT Explained
Gold tokens like PAXG and XAUT let you own gold on the blockchain — each token is backed by one troy ounce of physical gold. But they come with unique risks. Here's what you need to know.
Gold vs Silver Price Chart — 25 Years of Data Compared
Interactive 25-year charts comparing gold and silver prices. See how the gold-silver ratio has shifted, which metal outperformed in each period, and what the data suggests.
Gold Price by Year — Annual Returns from 2000 to 2026
Gold has delivered positive annual returns in 18 of the last 25 years. See the full year-by-year breakdown with interactive charts and performance analysis.
Gold Price History — 50 Years of Price Data & Key Milestones
From $35/oz in 1971 to over $2,700 in 2024 — trace gold's remarkable 50-year price journey through economic crises, wars, pandemics, and monetary policy shifts.
Silver Price per Ounce — Live Rates, History & Investment Guide
Silver is both an industrial metal and a precious metal investment. Get the current price, understand what drives silver markets, and learn the best ways to invest.
What Drives Gold Prices? — 10 Key Factors Explained
Gold prices don't move randomly. From interest rates and inflation to geopolitical crises and central bank buying — here are the 10 forces that drive gold up or down.
Gold Futures Explained — COMEX Contracts, Symbols & How to Read Them
Gold futures are standardized contracts to buy or sell gold at a future date. Learn how COMEX contracts work, what GC symbols mean, and how futures affect spot prices.
How to Buy Gold — Beginner's Guide to Gold Investment
From gold bars and coins to ETFs and jewelry — learn the best ways to buy gold, what purity to look for, how to choose a dealer, and how to store your investment safely.
Gold vs Silver — Which Precious Metal Should You Invest In?
Gold and silver both protect wealth, but they behave differently. Compare prices, ratios, volatility, and industrial demand to decide which metal suits your goals.
Gold Price per Gram — Live Rates in 12+ Currencies
See the current gold price per gram in USD and 12+ world currencies. Understand how gram pricing compares to troy ounce pricing and convert between units instantly.
Gold Weight Units Explained — Ounce, Gram, Tael, Tola, Lượng & More
Gold is traded in different weight units around the world. This guide explains every major unit — from the troy ounce to the Vietnamese lượng — with conversion tables and regional context.
Gold Karat & Purity Guide — 18K vs 22K vs 24K Explained
Not all gold is created equal. From 24K pure gold to 10K alloys, learn how karat ratings work, how purity affects price, and which standards are used in different countries.