Alternative investments: Art, antiques, wine and anything odd?

With falls in the stock market and savings rates sitting next to zero investors are looking at areas normally thought of as a little bit wacky.

Putting cash in alternative investments such as art is not limited, however, to the Russia oligarchs buying an odd Monet or collectors stacking up old coins.

Data from the British Bankers' Association (BBA) show the UK's savings accounts were being emptied in January, with the body noting people were now looking at "alternative financial products".

What alternatives people are choosing is not clear, but it is certain people are looking further afield – at areas such as art and antiques.

Many antique collectors are collecting as much for the joy of owning a piece as its investment. With this strong interest, is it worth investing, or are judgements likely to be skewed?

Read the whole story at: www.myfinances.co.uk

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Alternative Investments

TEFAF study values global art market at £40bn

23 February 2009

THE global art market grew by 11 per cent to £40.1bn over the last year, according to the survey just published by The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF). The report, prepared by leading art economist Dr Clare McAndrew, is the latest in a series of major studies commissioned by TEFAF that act as a focus for the launch of their annual Maastricht fair – the world’s top such event.

Entitled Globalisation and the art market, the 182-page study focuses on emerging markets such as Russia, India and China.

The statistics it uses track the market up until the end of September and so the study does not refect the the downward shift in the market since October.

Nonetheless, its publication remains an important event because, in a global market where it is notoriously difficult to pin down hard statistics, these TEFAF studies are widely known to provide the raw data by which governments and businesses assess the international art market.

From: www.antiquestradegazette.com

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Buyer Beware? How About Buyer Aware?

Gold prices continued to trade sideways near $990 overnight, as little in the way of fresh news was digested by the trade. Aside from yesterday slump in the Dow, which spilled over into losses in the Nikkei as well, players had little to choose from as a motivator to load up on more bullion. The gold ETF is reflecting the same wait-and-see attitude with a stall at the 1,029 tonne level for the third session. While the current range ($975 to $1005) is not extraordinarily wide, the metal has shown the ability to run the entire course during a single trading session - if news flows warrant. The market's bias -for the moment- is towards lower levels, and such tests should actually be welcomed, lest the speculative setup for a harder fall resulting from nonstop/non-backed and filled gains seems more appetizing.

From: www.resourceinvestor.com

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Loose Diamonds and their Precious Value

Loose diamonds have a history that spans centuries in its wake. Some of the most impressive and historical diamonds are now part of the British crown and some sit in museums. Some of the diamonds acquired have the most glorious stories and even omen attached to them and it is interesting how large they are. Some of them have even given birth to a lot of atrocities like the famous Blood Diamonds of Africa. But there are more appeasing anecdotes woven around some historical diamonds as well.

The most famous of all loose diamonds perhaps is undoubtedly the Koh-I-Noor which in English means “Mountain of light” with a history that dates as far back as the 1304. With a hefty 186 carats and its beautiful oval cut, this true to its name Koh-I-Noor is a wondrous gem that is known to decorate the throne of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan and since Queen Victoria’s rule has stayed with the British Crown.

Another impressive example is the Cullinan weighing about a couple of pounds! This was then cut into nine major loose diamonds and some smaller ones that number close to a hundred. The largest among these was the shiny Star of Africa weighing more than 530 carats and having 74 facets, making this the world’s largest cut diamond. Then there is the imperious Excelsior with around 995 carats. There are many historic gem stones that have disappeared over time, unknown as to where they went and simple unaccounted for. But whatever remains can still give you a pretty impressive picture of what the loose diamonds hold in terms of variety, royal value and elegance.

Read the whole interesting story at: www.abcarticledirectory.com

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Dollars & Sense

Tips for selling gold

By Los Angeles Times

Feb. 24, 2009

With gold prices hitting $1,000 an ounce last week, more people are thinking of selling. Here are some tips:

• Before selling, get an estimate. Certified appraisers can be found through the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and the American Society of Appraisers.
• Selling for scrap means that the final price will not reflect the craftsmanship, antique value or aesthetics of the jewelry.
• The price is based on a troy ounce of 24-karat gold, the pure form of the metal. Divide the karat of your jewelry by 24 for the percentage purity. For example, 18k is 75% pure.
• The karat stamp on jewelry should be used as a gauge, but can be inaccurate. For example, 12k gold is often mismarked at 14k.
• Old jewelry can be sold at consignment shops or online. Jewelry stores tend to offer better prices than pawnshops and most mail-in operations.

From: www.jsonline.com

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