For millennia, gold has played a central part in the world’s economy. Only within the last century did most nations go off the gold standard. Millions of people still invest in gold as part of their financial portfolios. If you are interested in investing in gold, keep reading for some great advice.
If you have a nice gold piece, consider selling it privately rather than through a gold purchasing agency or jewelry store. Many companies that are in business to buy gold will only buy it to melt and sell, meaning they will pay only for the weight of the gold. An individual who likes your piece might be willing to pay a higher price tag, because they are likely to keep and enjoy the piece.
Know what gold is currently selling for. While it’s convenient to just bring your gold to a shop, do a little internet research first to see what the range is. That way, you can go in knowing how much you can expect to receive. You will know if you are being lowballed.
When you go to sell your gold, make sure your expectations are not too high and bring your government-issued identification. On average, gold dealers pay between 70 and 80 percent of the actual value. The law requires that dealers ask sellers for identification when buying gold to aid police in their investigations about stolen property.
Now is the best time to sell because gold prices have been at near record highs. You can sell your broken or unwanted gold jewelry, gold-plated dinner wear, gold coins and even dental gold. Gold buyers are anxious to buy anything that contains gold. Get several bids to ensure that you are getting the best price.
Avoid rare gold coins unless you really know what you are buying. Rare gold coins can be difficult to sell, and they sometimes lose value quickly. They also might not contain as much gold as you think. Leave such purchases for the experts, and stick to better known coins for your own collection.
Research gold buyers. If you decide to send your gold out of state, make sure your package is certified and insured. You will probably feel more confident selling your gold to a reputable local business that has a storefront. Either way, you should check with the Better Business Bureau.
All investments come with a certain amount of risk, and gold is no different. To help limit your risk when selling gold, ask for referrals from friends or family members who have sold gold in the past. They may be able to steer you toward a reputable gold buyer.
If you’re buying gold pieces for investment reasons, stay away from proof coins. These coins are polished and mounted, and they can sometimes be worth more than regular coins. The problem is, proof coin value only matters to collectors, and it can vary on a daily basis. For investment only purposes, stick with regular coins.
When selling your gold, realize that jewelers use a different scale system than others. For example, one ounce of gold will weigh 31.1 grams. Some businesses weigh by the pennyweight, which is 1.555 grams. Then, they purchase by the gram instead of the pennyweight, which can result in them underpaying you.
Look into any company you are considering via the Better Business Bureau. If there have been complaints lodged against the company, then it’s best for you to just move on to another buyer or seller. The BBB is an excellent first line of defense to weed out the worst companies out there.
You may be able to find antique jewelry at resale shops or antique stores that can be sold for more than you paid for it. Make sure to check the gold stamp to determine if it is 24K. This means the gold content is relatively high and you will be able to sell it at a higher price.
Get a certificate of authenticity when buying gold jewelry. This is your proof that the piece you have purchased is real, consists of a certain karat count and has a specific value. This certificate can be used to authenticate your piece for resale or insurance purposes, should you need it.
Understand that you will never get full value for the gold you wish to sell. Just like any other business, gold dealers are in it to profit. They must make money, so there needs to be some room in that purchase price for doing so. You may get offers of about 50-70 percent of the real value.
Gold can be an important part of a properly diversified investment portfolio. However, to get the best return on your investment, you need to understand as much as you can about the market for gold. With the information you have read here, you can get a good return on your investment.
