Cryptocurrencies that are flashy get a lot of attention. Tech stocks have crazy parties. But there is one thing that stays the same from generation to generation: where can you buy gold coins, a never-ending tangle of sunlight twisted into hefty bars. To be honest, gold is the original investment. Kings kept everything for themselves. They buried it. Your funny neighbor undoubtedly talks about it at every family dinner. But what is all the commotion about? Isn’t this the digital age?

People don’t like gold just because it’s yellow. Underneath the shine are history, rarity, and something that can’t be seen—trust. When paper money has problems, gold stays the same. That one property is enough to get it into portfolios all over the place.

But before you image yourself jumping into a vault like a cartoon billionaire, let’s think about the details. If you buy real gold bars, you’ll have to think about where to hide them. Mattresses? Not firm enough. Backyard? Too wet. Some people use safety deposit boxes. Some people swear by complicated home safes. All of this makes things a little more stressful.

There’s a less stressful way to do it: ETFs and exchange-traded securities that let you try it out without putting too much weight on your closet. Don’t worry about fingerprints or relatives who seem to be too hefty. These paper copies follow the price around like a shadow following your foot. Yes, it’s easy, but it’s not the same as holding the genuine thing in your hand.

The drawback is that gold doesn’t pay you back. No interest, no quarterly pat on the back. It just sits there, glowing. So, why do people still buy? Most people think of it like their grandmother’s way of saving money: putting away something strong for “just in case.” When the stock market goes down or currencies go up and down, gold usually stays strong.

But even the great gold isn’t all-powerful. Prices change, and sometimes they change a lot. Do you remember the roller coaster at the amusement park? Sometimes, the price chart for gold does the same thing. So, you want to put all your eggs in one basket? No matter how daring they are, chickens don’t do that.

As every smart person in a suit says, it’s important to diversify. Gold fits well with equities, bonds, and maybe a little bit of real estate. This manner, your portfolio of investments won’t be unbalanced. In the past, gold and markets have had this dance, when one goes one way and the other goes the other. But sometimes they both opt to take a nap or run away together.

There is a reason why governments and central banks have huge reserves, but don’t just follow them without thinking. Their plan doesn’t always work for most people. Timeframes and motives are typically very different.

One strange thing is that millennials, who used to love digital things, are starting to like gold. You might blame the economy for being uncertain or for wanting something real. During times of instability, the romance of owning something old—something that once changed the course of empires—speaks louder.

Finally, don’t buy gold just because it’s flashy and your cousin told you to. Start with tiny amounts, read a lot, and realize that every investment comes with some risk. There’s no way to get rich quickly here; you have to work hard and be patient.