Apple’s Tim Cook gifted Trump a plaque sitting on 24K Utah gold. Here’s how to get your share of the precious metal — even while it’s at a record high

But the real showstopper was a unique gift that Cook presented to Trump — a glass plaque with an inscription that says “Made in USA” which was designed by a former U.S. Marine Corps corporal, who’s now employed by Apple.

The plaque came with a 24-karat gold base sourced from Utah. Its craftsmanship and patriotic materials were designed to highlight Apple’s commitment to making its products on American soil.

Why did Cook give Trump the gift of American gold?

This gift comes shortly after Trump announced that tech companies producing their products in the U.S. could avoid the new 100% tariff on imported chips and semiconductors, while others would likely face steep import costs. However, Trump announced that smartphones are exempt from increased tariffs on products from India.

Apple’s domestic investment and symbolic offering appear to have earned the company this favorable treatment. Financial expert John Ehrlichman noted that Cook used the plaque as a diplomatic olive branch, helping Apple sidestep punitive tariffs.

“There’s arguably no bigger CEO in America, or in the world, than Tim Cook,” Ehrlichman shared with CTV News. “He’s in the Oval Office and he’s trying to appease the president. The president loves that and uses that as the backdrop to say, ‘by the way, if you’re not following the Apple way, you could be subject to these tariffs.’”

And while the gift of gold may have been a simple olive branch, it's also a serious asset with a market valued at nearly $300 billion. With prices currently hovering around $3,400 per ounce, the value of gold has been soaring as of late, a result that's largely driven by inflation concerns, geopolitical instability and the potential for a U.S. Federal Reserve cut.

How Americans can cash in on the gold boom

So, how can everyday Americans invest in gold? There are several ways:

Physical gold

Purchasing gold bullion, bars or government-minted coins allows you to hold gold in a physical form. However, it likely requires having a secure physical location to store your investment, such as a safe or a safety deposit box.

Gold stocks

You could also purchase stocks in companies in the gold industry, such as gold mines, precious metal companies or gold royalty companies. The value of these companies is tied to the price of gold, which means your investments could increase in value with the price of gold. However, stock performance also depends on the company's financial health.

Gold ETFs (exchange-traded funds)

Gold ETFs give you exposure to multiple gold-related stocks in one fell swoop. You don't have to decide which company to invest in or worry that one specific company's value will fall due to external forces. This is generally a more conservative approach to investing in gold, but it is not without risk.

Gold futures

Futures are agreements to buy or sell gold at a set price on a future date — basically, it's a way to lock in today’s price and bet on where gold is headed. This is by far the riskiest option and should only be attempted by experienced investors.

Keep in mind, investing in gold doesn't guarantee a return. The current price of gold is high, but the market can change rapidly. Also, each method of investing in gold has its pros and cons, so make sure to weigh your options before jumping in.

Whether it’s a glittering 24K plaque or a strategic component in a diversified portfolio, gold remains a potent status symbol and popular investment asset. With soaring prices and economic uncertainty, Americans exploring gold have multiple paths to choose from, each with trade-offs in convenience, cost and return potential.