Gold is weird. You can’t really do much with it, and it’s not the kind of commodity that’s top-of-mind for many industries. But it’s shiny! And people have dug shiny stuff for centuries. (The World Gold Council, in its Gold Demand Trends report for 2023, noted that jewelry kept its spot as a leading destination for all the Au circulating the globe.) Because of that glowing history, and the monetary value that has accrued over the years to things that are desirably florescent, gold has come to serve as a sort of last-resort investment the world over. Fears about the strength and sovereignty of your country’s currency? Gold. Having a hard time getting rich using your country’s financial system? Gold. Facebook $META ads making a convincing case for a spot in your retirement portfolio? Gold.