Rising tensions between the United States and Iran have once again brought safe-haven assets back into focus. Whenever geopolitical risks rise, investors tend to look for assets that can protect wealth during uncertain times and that usually means gold and silver. The latest escalation in the Middle East has injected fresh volatility into global markets. Concerns about oil supply disruptions, inflation risks and the possibility of a wider regional conflict have pushed investors to rethink their portfolios. Precious metals often benefit in such moments because they are seen as a store of value when markets turn unpredictable. But the question many investors are now asking is: should you buy gold or silver and how much of it should you actually hold?

Gold has long been considered the world’s primary safe-haven asset. During wars, political crises or economic shocks, investors often move money away from equities and into assets that are perceived to hold value.

That pattern is playing out again. The uncertainty surrounding the US–Iran conflict has pushed many investors towards bullion as a defensive hedge. Safe-haven buying tends to increase when markets fear instability in energy prices, trade routes or global economic growth.

Unlike stocks or bonds, gold is not tied to the performance of a company or government. That independence is one reason it often attracts investors during periods of geopolitical stress.

Silver typically moves in the same direction as gold, though its price movements are usually sharper.

Although both metals benefit from rising uncertainty, they behave differently.

Gold is generally seen as the safer and more stable option. Gold reacts quickly to geopolitical events, which is why central banks and big investors often keep it as a reserve.

Silver’s a bit different. It wears two hats: part precious metal, part industrial workhorse. You’ll find silver in everything from electronics to solar panels and factories.

That mix means silver’s price isn’t just about investors – it’s also tied to how the global economy’s doing. When factories are buzzing and demand is high, silver sometimes outshines gold. But if the economy hits a rough patch, silver’s price can swing all over the place.

For most conservative investors, gold remains the first choice during geopolitical crises.

Financial planners usually advise investors not to treat precious metals as the main part of their portfolio. Instead, they recommend using them as a hedge.

A commonly suggested allocation is around 10–15 per cent of a portfolio in precious metals.

Within that allocation, gold generally gets the larger share because of its stability.

Many advisors recommend something along these lines:

• 7–10 per cent in gold
• 3–5 per cent in silver

This balance allows investors to benefit from gold’s defensive qualities while still gaining exposure to silver’s potential upside.

Even though geopolitical tensions can push precious metal prices higher, experts caution against investing large amounts all at once.

Bullion markets swing up and down a lot. Prices jump around for all kinds of reasons – things like where people think interest rates are headed, how strong the US dollar is, or what’s happening with money flowing around the globe.

Because of all that, a lot of analysts say it’s smarter to spread out your investments over time instead of throwing in a big chunk all at once. You build your position slowly. That way, you’re less likely to buy in right at a peak, and you don’t get whiplash from every little price swing.

But it’s not just short-term stuff driving precious metals. There are bigger trends at play. Central banks have been stacking up gold lately, trying to move away from just holding dollars or euros. Meanwhile, silver’s getting a boost as more industries use it, especially in things like solar panels and electronics.

With these shifts, gold and silver keep holding their ground as go-to assets for people who want to spread out risk and protect what they’ve got. Gold’s still the classic “safe haven” when the world gets shaky. Silver can give you more upside, but it’s a bumpier ride.

In the end, it’s all about finding the right balance. Holding a modest allocation to gold and a smaller portion in silver can help stabilise portfolios when global markets face uncertainty.