Gold and Other Precious Metals 2011
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Golden AgeBy: Bob Pisani
What is it about gold that makes people so passionate, crazy, paranoid? Our special report answers that question and more. We'll take you to mines in South Africa, gold bank vaults in London, trading pits in New York and the shop floor of a huge gold-jewelry manufacturer in Louisiana.
Why Metals Matter
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Gold has had a hold on mankind since it was first mined in the Copper Age.
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As demand outpaces the constrained small supply of gold — who has the most?
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A look inside South Africa's Rand Refinery, where the world's gold is refined, then delivered all over the globe to: banks, mints, industrial manufacturers and jewelry makers.
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The age-old idea is attracting new fans, amid growing investor concern that enormous government borrowing is weakening the dollar and spark hyper-inflation.
Modern Gold Mania
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Almost no one outside the sponsor (the World Gold Council) has ever seen the gold in the world's largest vault — until now.
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Gold is increasingly harder to find, forcing thousands of miners to drill deeper, at higher costs and greater danger.
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These should be boom times for the mining business in California and Nevada. There is no "rush" in the new gold rush.
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With the price of gold soaring to record levels, the precious metal has become that much more dear. Where and how should gold buyers store their bullion and coins?
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Long the home of gold lovers, demand is higher than ever, with buyers fearful prices will rise further, ahead of the traditional October-November wedding season.
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Straight from the mines, rough gold goes through a highly complex process, and often travels around the world before it ever makes it to the consumer.
Investing in Metals
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From physical coins to futures, options, and ETFs -- reporter Bob Pisani breaks down the how and where to invest in gold.
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The SPDR Gold Trust, with over $60 billion in assets, is far and away the largest gold fund.
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Like commodities in general, metals help investors diversify as their performance bears little resemblance to that of stocks.
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Most investors these days play gold through mutual funds and exchange-traded funds but the investment strategy of these vehicles varies widely, as have their performance relative to the metal's decade-long rally.
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Gold Bullion International's CEO explains the advantages. "When you own a real asset, there's no counterparty risk between you and the real asset," he says
Interactive Features
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The precious metal has quintupled in price over the past decade, but there's considerable debate as to why.
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Before you join the herd of gold bulls, take our quiz to see whether you can tell myth from markets.
Slideshows
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The holdings presented here are as of WGC's December 2011 report, unless otherwise noted. So, who holds the most gold? Click ahead to find out!
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For some people, gold is the ultimate safe haven commodity. Here's a look at the 10 most outrageous items some people have found to stake their gold claims.
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Click to see the 15 most expensive U.S. coins, including those considered priceless.