Gold vs Silver vs Copper: Comparing Real Investment Returns
With gold prices hitting record highs, interest in buying physical gold has surged. But silver and copper have their own appeal, driven by industrial demand and safe-haven buying. Gold leans on safe-haven status and tends to be less volatile, while silver and copper have heavier industrial demand, so their prices swing more with the economic cycle. Spreading exposure across metals is often recommended over betting on one.
This calculator applies the same amount and time period to gold, silver, and copper, using your expected annual return for each, to compare projected value, profit, and return side by side. Actual prices move daily, so returns entered here are assumptions, not forecasts. Physical purchases also carry dealer premiums and sales tax that lower your real net return.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's an inflation hedge, but prices still move, and physical purchases carry premiums and sales tax.
They have heavier industrial demand, so prices swing more with the economic cycle.
The expected annual return you enter for each metal — treat it as a reference, not a forecast.