Is now the right time to buy and hold gold?

''After almost eight years of quantitative easing, zero interest rates and now negative interest rates -- with little to show for it all -- the world's leading central banks are at the end of their tethers.

That's why the smart money is now scrambling for the safety and stability of the one form of money that's stood for over 2,000 years -- gold. China is quietly amassing a mountain of gold to prepare for a new monetary era. Russia, too. We learn that Russia snapped up 11 metric tons of gold in February alone, overtaking China's purchases. And that surging demand is putting intense pressure on gold supplies.''

[An excerpt from Jim Rickard's new book, The New Case for Gold]:

''Gold is scarce, and the floating supply is shrinking . . . Demand for physical gold is seemingly insatiable, while the supply of physical gold is drying up. It will take very little to trigger a buying panic. It could happen tomorrow . . .

When the panic does happen, you can forget about trying to buy gold. Some central banks and major dealers may be able to get some, but mints, small dealers and retail outlets will not be able to get any. The time to get gold is now, before the panic.''