Investment art, jewelry, whiskey: when it is worth collecting

Beautiful things collect instead of negative interest rates and real losses in the savings account, that sounds good and can work.But it takes expertise and passion so that such an investment alternative is really profitable in the end.

It is a tragedy.Money on savings books, fixed -term deposits and Co. brings significantly below one percent interest, if not penalty fees.At the same time, inflation in Germany in November 2021 took the five percent hurdle.

No wonder that savers are looking for alternatives and that they do not consider everyday forms of investment.Why not buy advertising diamonds forever?Or place the liquid gold of Scottish whiskey distilleries on the shelf as an investment object?In fact, the performance of paintings, gemstones or high -quality schnapps rarities is often very attractive at first glance.

The image "Diego Y Yo" by Frida Kahlo was a prominent example.In 1990 it achieved a price of $ 1.4 million, in November 2021 it went to a new owner for an incredible $ 34.9 million.But are such coveted objects really suitable for investing in order to receive assets over long periods of time?

Pleasing addition, but no alternative

"Whether a collector's item can be sold in the future and then also at a profit depends on a large number of factors and can hardly be predicted by experts," warns Claus Walter, Chairman of the Executive Board of Freiburg's Vermögensmanagement (FVM).The price achievable is - as with shares - depending on supply and demand.But the more special an alternative investment object is, the closer the market is.So sometimes there are only a few or no prospects at all, which can press the price or even make objects unsalable at least temporarily.

In addition, there are changing trends - who can say whether the currently hyped and auctions are still in demand in ten years in ten years?"This does not mean that it cannot be a good idea to put a small part of your own assets in lovers, the possession of which you enjoy," says Claus Walter.But for him they are not a real alternative to a comprehensive strategic wealth allocation."A mixture of easy-to-go stocks, funds, selected pension papers or investment precision metals is more suitable here to maintain assets in the long term and still remain flexible," advises the FVM investment specialist.

Know risks

Even diamonds to whom the reputation of eternity is not an uncomplicated form of investment as an investment.Because unlike gold, for example, the pricing in gemstones is a highly complex process.Even for tested and certified investment diamonds, there is not always a buyer and this is even more complicated with jewelry.As a rule, the approach and sales price differ significantly.In other words, if you buy an expensive diamond ring, you usually lose a lot of money when you pay - not a good start for an investment.

High -quality whiskeys can be more interesting here, whose price level has been increasing for several years."But for such a collection, a lot of specialist knowledge is needed so that it works as an investment," says Heiko Delete, asset manager at GSP Asset Management in Münster.It is important to recognize counterfeits, create optimal storage conditions and to correctly assess the future demand.

"The fate of stamp collectors or telephone card lovers should be an apprenticeship," warns the investment specialist, "the zeitgeist has changed and the demand literally dies in these areas without many new collectors being growing back."He recommends that money only flow into something like this in the event of an overall well -built wealth situation: "Even then, I would invest a maximum of ten percent of my assets in a single topic like a whiskey collection for reasonable risk scattering."

interview

"Whiskey is an investment for enthusiasts"

Plants in Scottish single malts and products of Japanese distilleries can definitely be worthwhile, but are something for wealthy lovers.Delete Heiko, asset manager at GSP Asset Management GmbH in Münster, explains why normal savers should remain liquid differently.

DHZ: What is the difference between a whiskey for several thousand euros and that for ten euros from the discounter?

Delete: On the one hand, there are already enormous differences in quality and, as with wine, connoisseurs are ready to pay more money.This ranges from storage in wooden barrels to the special taste of different regions.There are differences such as day and night.The variety that can be learned during a whiskey test ranges from round sherryaromas to wild sea grades to peaty smoke taste.But on the other hand, the ultimately is also a huge marketing theme and if you can best present yourself, you can call up higher prices.Limited special edition aims at whiskey lovers and can then be in the range of thousands of euros.

How do I recognize the investment potential as a layperson?

Without getting started and simply buying an expensive bottle, is a pure gambling and will not work in most cases.Professionals observe the market exactly, as an investment, ten or 20 bottles of different age groups and editions of at least five different distilleries that are popular with collectors are increasing.Ideally, be careful to mix regions and styles to cushion trendrisks.For example, Japanese distilleries are becoming increasingly popular and compete with Scottish top dogs.

Is whiskey suitable as an investment for everyone?

If someone doesn't like a whiskey, they shouldn't consider a whiskey as an investment.This applies to all collectibles, without a certain passion it will hardly be successful.Whether with art, jewelry or whiskey investments, the emotional return should be right.A typical example are classic cars.If you don't enjoy trips and the unique driving experience, you will surely find more sensible investments than old cars.Anyone who enjoys every minute on the country road in historical vehicles will definitely get a return: pricelessly valuable experiences.

What about the real whiskey return?

Here you should not be too blinded by beautiful numbers that are often published by auction platforms.Because the transaction and storage costs are usually omitted.For example, what does a suitable room with theft and fire protection cost, what about the insurance, what proportion does the auction house get during sale?The bottom line is that a bottle must then rise properly in value so that the cost remains after deduction of the costs.Of course, this is possible, but if you only want to evaluate the investment opportunities of whiskey, you should expect very soberly and, if in doubt, better enjoy the drinking experience.

How do you get special bottles?

Of course, the internet offers the largest offer here, but the risk of resusing counterfeits should not be underestimated.If you do not want to be traveling in the very high -priced area, you can find what you are looking for at local specialist retailers at wine dealers or spirits departments of large department stores.Of course, before buying a 200 euro bottle as an investment, the price level of large online retailers or current auctions should be checked in order to be able to distinguish good offers from bad ones.

Why is Asia's economic development important for the Scottish whiskey market?

China and his neighbors are important markets of luxury goods and are becoming increasingly becoming.For successful Asian entrepreneurs, handbags of European noble brands, western luxury vehicles or whiskey specialties that very few can afford are status symbols.This has contributed significantly to price development in recent years.If there are changes in the positive and negative, the significant influence in the high price segment.

Is a whiskey collection or the like an investment agent for everyone?

First of all, this is a question of total assets.If a saver manages just 100 euros per month for modest pension provision, it is probably not a good idea financially to put money into a whiskey or art collection.Because there is no guarantee that in ten or 20 years, if the money is needed, the collection can be sold with a profit or even at all.I know young people who do not save, but only buy sneakers because Michael Jordan's sports shoes from the year XY had such an enormous increase in value.I always advise them to at least not put all money in sneakers, but maybe better only ten percent of the assets in something like that.The rest should be created in transparent, liquid markets, for example shares, funds, bonds or precious metals that can be traded without any problems.