Difference Between Gold and Silver

What is Gold?

What is Silver?

Difference Between Gold and Silver Explained

Both gold and silver are considered valuable metals and have differences in use, durability, and value. Below is a table that highlights its differences:

Aspect Gold Silver
Definition Gold is a shiny yellow metal commonly found in jewellery and coins and used for investment purposes. A shiny white metal used in jewellery, industries, and for investment.
Colour Gold, with its warm and radiant hues, symbolises wealth, status, and achievement throughout history. Silver has a bright, cool shine, which represents functionality and adaptability.
Rarity Only 0.004 parts per million of gold exist in Earth’s crust, making it extremely rare. Gold is 19 times rarer than silver. Found at 0.075 parts per million in Earth’s crust, making it more abundant than gold but still precious.
Volatility Less volatile. Price stays stable during market ups and downs. More volatile than gold. Prices change quickly due to industrial and market shifts.
Liquidity Highly liquid. Easy to buy, sell, or trade globally anytime. Liquidity may fluctuate more in comparison to gold.
Demand Jewellery, central bank reserves, and investment drive demand Demand comes from industry, jewellery, and private investment.
Stockpile The central banks and investors hold a significant portion of global reserves. Smaller stocks worldwide; many of them are used in industries.
Storage May require vaults or lockers and higher storage costs. It takes more space for the same value but still has to be secured.
Market Symbol XAU XAG
Unit of Trade Gold is most commonly traded in troy ounces. Silver is traded in regular ounces or grams.
Industrial Demand Low industrial use, mostly for jewellery and financial purposes. High industrial use in electronics, solar, and medical sectors.
Accessibility More expensive and less affordable for small investors. Affordable, making it easier for new or small investors to buy.
Tax Implications
  • When selling gold, you must pay a 20% tax and a 4% cess on long-term capital gains (LTCG).
  • The chargeable tax on gold, therefore, is 20.8%.
  • Short-Term (less than 3 years): Taxed as per the income tax slab.
  • Long-Term gains (over 3 years): 20% tax with indexation.
Durability Gold lasts a long time because it is incredibly durable and corrosion-resistant. Silver becomes softer and more vulnerable to scratches and other damage as time passes.
Common Uses Jewellery, coins, bars, and other items are used in central bank reserves. Jewellery, coins, electronics, solar panels, medical tools, and various industrial applications due to its conductivity and malleability. 
Tarnish Gold does not tarnish for years. It stays bright for years.  Silver spoils when exposed to air and moisture. It forms a dull layer that needs cleaning.
Cost Gold is an expensive metal. Because it’s always in high demand.  Silver is more affordable and cost-effective.
Weight Heavier than silver with a density of 19.32 g/cm³, making it more compact and dense. Lighter than gold with a density of 10.49 g/cm³. This makes it less dense but still valuable.

Benefits of Investing in Gold and Silver

For a long time, both metals were regarded as secure investments. Each metal has its advantages. Let's know the main advantages of purchasing each metal:

Benefits  Gold Silver
Store of Value Gold has been a proven store of wealth for thousands of years, keeping its buying power during economic uncertainty. Silver, though more volatile, also serves as a store of value, especially during inflation or financial crises.
Hedge Against Inflation  Gold is an effective hedge against inflation. Historically, as inflation rises, the price of gold increases as well, and gold is, therefore, great at maintaining your wealth. Silver also acts as an inflation hedge and is less stable. Its price is impacted by industrial demand and, therefore, can fluctuate more drastically than gold.
Liquidity Gold is highly liquid and can easily be converted into cash anywhere in the world. Silver has liquidity and can be sold for cash, but silver is not as liquid as gold.
Diversification An investment in gold can provide diversification to your overall investment portfolio and will reduce some major risks. Silver can also provide good diversification but can be more sensitive to market cycles and industrial needs.
Wealth Preservation Gold is a trusted long-term investment that provides reliable wealth protection. Silver also preserves value, but silver is much more volatile and isn't as reliable as gold.
Industrial Demand Gold has little industrial demand, with its price tied more closely to investment demand.  Silver is in strong industrial demand as it continues to be used in electronics, solar panels, and batteries. This demand can affect the silver price.
Affordability Gold can be included in one's large-cap investments. Silver is an affordable metal. Investing in this metal requires less capital.

Cons of Investing in Gold and Silver

Although investing in gold and silver has many advantages, there are also disadvantages. The table below outlines the key drawbacks:

Drawbacks Gold Silver
High Initial Cost The high price of gold can make it difficult for new investors to start. Silver is less expensive but still costs a lot to hold substantial value.
Market Volatility While gold is less volatile than silver, it still moves about occasionally, particularly in the short run. Silver is more volatile than gold because prices can swing sharply due to industrial demand and market speculation.
Limited Growth Potential Gold may hold value, but it does not tend to grow significantly in price. Silver has more growth potential, along with more risk. If the economy is more favourable or industrial demand returns, silver's value can spike.
High Transaction Fees Profit margins may be lowered by high taxes on gold investments when they are sold. Silver is subject to taxes, particularly when purchased in bulk, which impacts returns.
Counterfeit Risk Gold needs to be carefully verified and authenticated because it can be counterfeited. Silver is also vulnerable to counterfeiting.

Who Should Invest in Gold and Silver?

How to Invest in Gold?

There are numerous options for investing in gold, including traditional and new methods. Here are some easy ways to invest in gold.

Type Description
Physical Gold Physical gold can be in any form, including jewellery, coins, and bullion. It’s a tangible asset, and many people buy it for personal use or investment.
Digital Gold Digital gold allows you to buy small portions online, which are stored securely in vaults. It’s convenient, accessible, and doesn’t require physical storage.
Gold ETFs Gold ETFS can be purchased on stock exchanges, and gold prices can be tracked in real time. They can be bought and sold through a demat account.
Sovereign Gold Bonds SGBS are government-sponsored bonds that offer both gold price appreciation and an annual interest payment of 2.5% on the bond's initial value.
Gold Mutual Funds Gold mutual funds invest in gold ETFs or stocks. They offer professional management and allow investors to gain gold exposure.
Gold Mining Stocks When you invest in gold mining stocks, you purchase shares of companies that mine gold. Gold mining stocks can yield higher profits if the company does well, but they come with risks.
Futures and Options Gold futures and options are contracts based on the future price of gold. They carry high potential returns but also high risk, making them suitable only for experienced investors.

How to Invest in Silver?

Silver is an equally good and smart option for people who want to diversify assets like gold. It retains value when the market is high and low. Also, silver metal is in high demand due to its usage in many industries. Here are some options on how you can invest in silver:

Type Description
Physical Silver People often buy silver coins, bars, cutlery, or jewellery. It’s affordable compared to gold and popular during festivals and weddings in many countries.
Digital Silver Digital silver is a new-age option that allows you to buy small quantities online through apps or websites.
Silver ETFs Silver ETFs let you invest in silver through stock exchanges. It’s a good option for market-linked returns with easy liquidity.
Silver Mutual Funds Silver mutual funds invest in a mix of silver mining companies, ETFs, or companies that deal in it.
Silver Mining Stocks You can invest in companies that mine silver or produce silver-related products. These stocks rise or fall based on silver prices and company performance.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in Gold and Silver

For generations, people have trusted precious metals to protect their wealth. Gold and silver do not lose value in hard times like cash does. Before adding anything to your portfolio, it's a good idea to consider the following:

Factors Gold Silver
Purpose of Investment Ideal for long-term value holding and wealth protection. Excellent for short-term trading as well as value storage.
Price Volatility Less volatile, values hold better or oppose change as markets move downward. More volatile; prices are more impacted during price changes, due to industrial demand.
Market Demand Gold demand primarily comes from jewellery, central banks, and investment via ETFs and bonds. Silver demand is from investment and industrial use in electronics, solar panels, and electric cars.
Entry Cost Expensive per gram or ounce, and needs a higher budget. Affordable and let small investors start easily.
Tax Implications If sold within 3 years, the gain is added to your total income and taxed at your income tax slab.  
If you sold it after holding it for more than 3 years, it is taxed at 20% with the indexation benefit.
Short-term gains (if held in less than 3 years) are taxed at your income slab.
Long-term gains (if held for more than 3 years) are taxed at 20% with the benefit of indexation.

Is it Better to Invest in Gold or Silver?

FAQs about Gold vs Silver

What is gold?

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Gold is a yellow-coloured precious metal found in nature. For thousands of years, people have used it for jewellery, coins, and trade. Today, investors buy gold to protect their money during uncertain times. It holds value well and works as a safe store of wealth.

What is silver?

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Silver is a bright white metal used to create jewellery, coins, electroscopes, solar cells, and surgical instruments. Much like gold, silver is treated as an investment that may increase and serve to protect against inflation.

Which one is better: gold or silver?

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It depends on what you want. Gold is safer and holds value better when markets are weak. Silver costs less, moves faster in price, and can offer bigger returns in short periods. Gold suits careful investors, while silver works for those open to small risks.

Why is silver a better investment than gold?

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Due to its lower price, silver is affordable for smaller investors to buy and earn a profit. Silver is valuable in many industries, especially electronics and solar power. Many industries require a large amount of silver, which causes silver's value to constantly appreciate. Plus, silver has a better average spike and swing in prices than gold.

What is the difference between gold and silver?

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Gold is more expensive and steadier in price and is used only as jewellery, wealth protection, and central bank reserves. Silver is less expensive, more volatile, and used in other industry applications beyond just jewellery. Silver provides an investment element and a range of industrial uses, which will typically cause prices to rise and fall faster than gold.

Which is better to invest, gold or silver?

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If you want stability and long-term value, gold is more suited. Conversely, silver is better if you are looking for larger returns and are ok with volatility. Gold and silver are often mixed to strike an optimal balance between risk and return. The optimal choice depends on the investor's goal, budget, and risk tolerance.

Which is stronger, silver or gold?

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Silver is harder and physically stronger. Gold is soft and thus must be alloyed to strengthen it for use. However, in terms of investment and iron strength, gold is more established and valuable than silver.

How liquid are gold and silver?

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Since gold and silver are very liquid, you can sell them for cash in most places quickly. Because gold is more in demand worldwide and is actively traded by numerous banks and dealers, it is more liquid. Although selling silver is also simple, it may take longer to trade large quantities than gold.

Which metal is more volatile in the market, gold or silver?

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Silver is more volatile than gold. Its price moves faster due to industrial demand, economic changes, and market sentiment, while gold stays steadier as a store of value in uncertain times.

What are the tax implications of investing in gold and silver?

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Gold and silver both attract capital gains tax. If sold within three years, profits are added to your income and taxed as per your slab. After three years, a 20% tax with indexation applies. Sovereign Gold Bonds have no capital gains tax at maturity, but their interest is taxable.

Can I include both gold and silver in my investment portfolio?

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Yes, you can. Gold will defend wealth, while silver can provide growth from industrial usage. Holding both gold and silver allows you to mitigate risk and gain returns.

Is gold a better diversifier for my investment portfolio than silver?

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Yes, Gold is a stronger protector of value during inflation and global crises than silver. Although gold is less valuable than silver, it balances the risk in equity and other risky investment portfolios.

Why is gold more expensive than silver?

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Gold is rarer and has much greater demand from investors, jewellers, and central banks. Gold is also considered a safer asset than silver; this provides a much higher price for gold versus silver.

How do I decide what metal to buy?

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Choose gold for safety and steady value. If you’re fine with price swings, choose silver for faster growth. Check your budget, market trends, and holding period. Many people buy both.

What’s the best way to invest in gold?

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If you want physical gold, buy jewellery, coins, or bars. For easy buying and selling without storage worries, pick digital gold, gold ETFs, or sovereign gold bonds.

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