Most people love diamond and gold jewelry. After all, it is beautiful and functional, and it is impressive to others, as well. Women naturally are usually fanatics about diamonds, which is why the diamond engagement ring industry is so popular and thriving. Gold simply has a classic, elegant look that anyone can appreciate. Combine the two in a ring, watch, or earrings, and you’ve got a winning combination. But even though it looks good, you’re going to be spending a lot of money on it, so you want to be sure it is a good investment. Is it?

Gold is generally a better investment than diamonds. That is because it is a universally recognized type of cash. Even if cash is devalued in your country or all over the world, you’ll still be able to buy and sell goods using gold as a medium of exchange. To be sure that you get the most out of your gold, be sure that it is 18 karats at a minimum, though 24 karat gold is best because it is the purest. Don’t go for lower karats than 18, as these are not as valuable and will not be able to be traded on the open market if you need to.

Diamonds are mainly for show and have very little value as cash. Even when you sell them to a jewelry store after you’ve worn them, you’ll still find that you’re taking a loss. Plus, most diamonds in the world are mined in nations where the miners are given slave labor wages and where wars are fought over the right to mine them. These diamonds are usually called blood diamonds because of all the people who get killed in the mining of them. They are not really an ethical choice in jewelry.

When it comes to diamond and gold jewelry, you can certainly combine the two, but as far as pure investment value and ethical nature, gold is the clear winner. Look for it when you’re looking for an investment in which you can be secure and proud.