“Buy low and sell high!” That’s the golden rule of the markets. The ideal is to find an investment when its price is at rock bottom, then turn it around at its peak. It’s great in theory, but difficult to do in practice.

The trouble is when you find an asset whose price is dropping, that’s often not a sign that it’s ripe for purchase, but rather the reverse. Predicting which investments are about to turn around isn’t easy, particularly since when they’re dropping the momentum tends to be stronger than when they’re rising.

With that in mind, and considering the volatility markets displayed throughout 2016, it can be daunting trying to find a sound investment, especially one that will help you build your retirement fund. However, there’s one option that’s a safe bet for the long term. As reported earlier this month on MarketWatch, one expert is betting on gold. CB Capital Partners’ Chief Investment Officer and partner Henry To is predicting the precious metal will have “the biggest turnaround potential in 2017.”

Gold in 2016

Gold had a bit of a turbulent year in 2016; it started out strong, but began to drop around October and November. It then spiked sharply on election night, but has been largely on the decline ever since.

That would seem, on the surface, to make it a risky investment going forward. However, for several months gold has been drastically undervalued. In August analysts Michael Hsueh and Grant Sporre of Deutsche Bank stated in a note that the yellow metal was worth far more than the then-spot price of around $1,320. They estimated its true value to be around $1,700, pegging gold as due for an upswing.

This is compounded by the fact that the Federal Reserve finally voted to raise the interest rate again. This has been a long time coming, as they’ve been talking about pulling the trigger ever since the previous hike in December 2015. Some believe higher rates are a harbinger of falling gold prices, but historically that’s not the case; in fact, just the opposite is true. As increased interest rates take their toll on the economy, gold is likely to rise in value.

Gold in 2017

Since the rate hike, gold prices have already risen a bit. This trend is on track to continue in the coming year, for a variety of reasons. For one thing, many experts believe as Donald Trump takes office it will strengthen the gold market.

His proposed policies are likely to raise the national debt and increase inflation, which historically leads to a rise in precious metal values. There has also been an influx of commodities investments from China, which have driven copper and zinc up in the last few months, and stand poised to do the same for gold.

Additionally, one reason for gold’s decline in 2016 is likely to be rectified in the coming year. Demand for gold jewelry has always been significant in both China and India, and is one of the factors that bolsters the price of the metal. Unfortunately, last year jewelry demand suffered a downturn, and the impact was felt throughout the market. In 2017, things stand poised to get back on track, and the sale of gold jewelry will once again provide the boost the commodity needs.

Gold as a Safe Haven

The thing to remember, as prices rise and fall, is that gold is not a get-rich-quick tool. It’s always been a long term investment strategy, and over time its path remains largely predictable.

This is what makes it a key asset for those saving for retirement. Sometimes the price falls, but over a period of years gold naturally rises. As a physical commodity, it’s not subject to inflation, but retains its overall buying power relative to the rest of the economy. As you may have noticed, your paper dollars don’t do the same. Because of this, gold has long been acknowledged as a safe haven asset.

Markets are up, but volatile right now, and stand to become even more so in the coming year. In fact, some economists have even predicted another financial crisis in 2017. When the last crash happened in 2008, many Americans lost huge chunks of their retirement funds. If it happens again, a significant percentage of the money you’ve been putting away since then could be gone in days.

A gold investment, such as a Gold IRA, keeps a portion of your nest egg, however large a portion you choose, safe from such a disaster. Thus If your stock portfolio fails, you still have a cushion to fall back on; one which typically rises when other markets fall.

In light of this historical context, the recent dip in gold can actually be seen as a good thing. The price is relatively low, making it a great time to buy, before things take off in the coming year. If you’re looking to save for the future, there’s never a better time than right now.

Trevor Gerszt is America's Gold IRA Expert, CEO of Goldco Precious Metals, and holds a position on the Los Angeles board of the Better Business Bureau.