Are you thinking about investing in gold bars? You’re not the only one; this is a common thing to do when the future seems uncertain. But before you buy your first flashy brick, let’s figure out what new players need to know.

Begin with size. Gold bars can be very little, like 1g chunks, or very big, like slabs that weigh a kilogram or more. Smaller bars are easier to sell one at a time and don’t cost as much money, while bigger bars provide you more value for each gram. A 10g or 1oz bar is a good place to start if you’re new and don’t want to be scared.

Consider purity. Most investment bars have a purity of 999.9, which means they are almost pure gold. You may see this number imprinted right on the bar, generally next to the refiner’s mark, weight, and a unique serial number. If anything seems off or there isn’t enough information, stay away.

Who did it? Always buy bars from well-known refiners like PAMP Suisse, The Royal Mint, Valcambi, or Heraeus. Their branding make it easy for merchants to recognize and accept your gold later. Refiner you don’t know? That could mean trouble when you try to sell it.

Where are you shopping? There are pros and cons to shopping for gold and silver online, on the high street, and from specialized bullion merchants. No matter what you choose, make sure to read user reviews, check for accreditation, and look at the return policy. If a random website offers you a low price, you should be very worried.

Don’t forget about storage. A shoebox won’t last long. There are good and bad things about home safes, bank safety deposit boxes, and professional bullion storage. Just be honest about how you feel. Insurance is an essential for any good stash.

Look over the documents. A certificate, sometimes called an assay card, comes with real gold bars from the best refineries. Do not throw this away; dealers love it, and it proves that you have a real bar, not a fake one that has been painted gold.

Watch out for premiums. You will always pay a little more than the gold’s raw value. Smaller bars have higher markups, while bigger bars are closer to the market price per gram. Be careful of “deals” that look too good to be true.

In short, start small, buy pure, stick with brands you trust, keep it safe, and always do your research. Gold bars are a good base for any investing combination, but don’t allow your excitement get ahead of your research.