The first of these two ETFs offers exposure to the 21 top international silver mining companies in the industry, while the second taps the top 43 gold miners. Both ETFs feature low management fees and the kind of broad industry exposure that helps to limit risk.

An investment mania usually begins as a mass attraction to a specific investment, or investment area. It often ends up including a range of investments that bear only a passing resemblance to the original investment area.

The mania for bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies over the last couple of years—which is now looking very much like it will end badly for most investors—was grounded in several factors. However, one key driver was the fundamental distrust many investors have for governments and their currencies.

Traditionally, that concern explains the investment appeal of precious metals. Gold and silver have gained over the last couple years, helped by fears that growing government deficits will lower the value of global currencies.

However, an improved U.S. economy and low unemployment led the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise interest rates three times in 2017 and again in 2018. That dampens the risk of a falling U.S. dollar and much-stronger inflation. Typically, both of those factors are needed to significantly boost demand for gold and silver.

Still, if you want to hold precious metal stocks, these two ETFs invest in top-quality global miners.

GLOBAL X SILVER MINERS ETF $23.56 (New York symbol SIL; buy or sell through brokers; www.globalxfunds.com) aims to track the Solactive Global Silver Miners Index.

Set up in April 2010, the ETF follows 21 international firms that mine, refine or explore for silver. The fund has 39.4% of its assets in Canada. That’s ahead of Mexico (15.0%), Russia (14.6%), South Korea (14.4%), the U.S. (11.6%) and Peru (5.0%). The ETF has an MER of 0.65%.

The fund’s top holdings include Korea Zinc at 14.3%; Polymetal International, 14.0%; Wheaton Precious Metals, 11.8%; Pan American Silver, 11.1%; Tahoe Resources, 6.0%; SSR Mining, 5.2%; Fresnillo plc, 4.3%; Hecla Mining, 4.1%; and First Majestic Silver, 4.1%.

Recommendation in Best ETFs for Canadian Investors: Global X Silver Miners ETF is a hold.

ETFs: This fund offers Canadian and international gold mining exposure

ISHARES S&P/TSX GLOBAL GOLD INDEX ETF $10.59 (Toronto symbol XGD; buy or sell through brokers; ca.ishares.com) aims to mirror the performance of the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index; it’s made up of 43 gold stocks from Canada and around the world. The ETF began trading on March 23, 2001. Its MER is 0.61%.

The fund’s top holdings include Newmont Mining, 14.9%; Barrick Gold, 12.9%; Franco-Nevada Corp., 11.1%; Agnico-Eagle Mines, 7.1%; Goldcorp, 7.0%; Randgold Resources (ADR), 6.5%; and Royal Gold, 4.1%.

Canadian firms comprise 64.1% of the ETF’s assets, but the fund also holds miners that are based in the U.S. (19.6%), South Africa (7.0%), the U.K. (6.5%) and Peru (2.7%).

Recommendation in Best ETFs for Canadian Investors: iShares S&P/TSX Global Gold Index is a hold.