Assets that can make you rich

We take a look at some unconventional assets - art, land, diamonds, fine wines and whiskies, and some high-growth stocks - that can give great returns but also entail huge risks. A recent Barclays report says 'treasure assets' such as art, wine, and classic cars comprise three per cent of the net worth of wealthy Indians. Where do they invest most?

ART: Art investment has become an alluring concept. Although difficult area to invest in, but with the right approach you could hit the jackpot.

Artist Subodh Gupta: He takes everyday items and creates monumental art installations. Popular contemporaries and upcoming artists use a variety of new techniques, materials and media to create works that you can hang on a wall as well as experience in the form of sound or video installations and sculpture. In India, paintings and sculptures command the highest prices. According to Art Tactic, contemporary artists like him are likely to have price and value longevity beyond 10 years.

 

LAND: As populations rise, industry expands to new areas to meet rising demand, and cities sweep outward like giant, growing amoebae, land provides the surest path to salvation for rummaging investors.

Investing in land can start  with Rs 10 lakh and go up to multiple million depending on the kind of plot - commercial, residential or agricultural - location, and unit area.

Naraspura, near Bangalore, is in demand as a major automobile hub is coming up here.

DIAMONDS: The diamond, as an asset class, is a relatively new concept, but its popularity is rising.

Still, buying loose, certified diamonds may be a wiser option than embedding them in jewellery. For one they are easy to store, transport and handle, and unless you have been very careless with them, hard to chip or tarnish. There is also a relatively liquid market for them.

WINE: Investing in whisky has not yet taken off in India, but it may well do so in the future. It is the brewery that is all important while investing in whiskies.

The key to investing in wine is to choose the right year. The price of some wines from the year 2000 has already appreciated 600 per cent.

STOCKS: Spotting the next Infosys is difficult, but here are some leads on sectors and companies that could sparkle in the near future. Some ground rules here help earn high returns