Diamonds will soon become the main highlight for Rich investors

New studies show that the wealthy are pulling back from stocks and stashing more of their money into real estate, art and even diamonds.

A recent survey from Harrison Group and American Express Publishing found that the wealthy have cut back their allocations to stocks dramatically since the economic crisis. In 2007, the top one-percenters (by income) invested 76% of their savings into stocks and financial investments. Now, it`s closer to 46%.

That may not sound like an important drop. But the wealthiest one percent own more than half of the individually held stocks in the US When they stop buying, it matters.

All that cash on the sidelines may continue to grow. Harrison Group`s Jim Taylor predicts that total savings stashed away by the affluent could grow to USD 12 trillion by 2014, about double today`s levels.

A second study from Spectrem Group finds that millionaires are also pessimistic about stocks. The survey found that investor confidence among those with USD 1 million or more in investible assets dropped in April for the first time since last summer, when the US debt crisis and Euro crisis started weighing on markets.

The main concerns for millionaire investors were (in order) the prolonged economic downturn, the political environment and national debt.

Investors with USD 5 million or more have become the most conservative. The Spectrem study showed that 84% of the USD 5 million-plus crowd is now taking a moderate or conservative investment posture. That compares with 79% in 2009 - in the middle of the economic crisis.

So what are the wealthy doing with their money?

Increasingly, they`re looking for hard assets, collectibles and real-estate. Just consider the headlines from the past week. Two trophy apartments in Manhattan sold for more than USD 50 million.

Yesterday, Sotheby`s sold USD 108 million worth of collectible jewelry in Geneva. The chart-topper was the USD 9.7 million sale of the Beau Sancy diamond, a 34.98 carat diamond that was first worn by Marie de Medici in 1610 at her coronation as Queen Consort of Henry IV.

Wealth experts say that while diamonds, mansions, art and wine may not appreciate as quickly as stocks, these less liquid assets are also unlikely to crash in value as quickly. And wearing the Beau Sancy or looking at a Picasso on the wall is a lot more pleasurable than watching the ticker.