The buying and selling of gold is the market that a lot of people turn to in times when the economy is uncertain. Since gold prices tend to be a bit more stable it is usually considered a safe place to invest your money. If you would like more information about investing in the gold market then continue on for some excellent tips.
You need to know what a karat is. Gold is a soft metal so it must be combined with other metals for durability. Each karat, which is 1/24 pure gold, tells you how much gold is in the alloy compared to other metals. A piece that has less than 10 karats cannot legally be called gold.
Take precautions if you mail your items. There are a lot of mail-in services these days, and while they can be convenient, you need to protect yourself. Send the pieces through insured mail, take photographs and know the company’s policies in case they lose your gold pieces and you want a settlement.
Do you have an allergy to nickel? If so, you are better off getting jewelry that has a higher gold content, like 18 or 22 karat gold. Items that have a higher gold content are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. You should also stay away from gold plated jewelry.
Prior to selling old jewelry, research the going price for gold. Gold dealers cannot scam you out of money when you are informed about the value of your items. Many dealers will pay market value, however others rely on people desperate for cash to get the most for themselves.
If you are headed to a gold party, keep your expectations low. While you may walk out with a few hundred dollars, you are not going to get rich. You also won’t get the full value of your jewelry. Go and have fun, but do not sell anything you don’t want to sell.
When buying gold, beware of scam artists. Always buy from a reputable dealer, and beware of any offers such as free storage or delays in delivery time. Sometimes these dealers will take your money and never provide you with the gold you were promised. Check out your dealer at the BBB before buying to make sure you are working with someone ethical.
When you decide on buying gold the first thing to do is look at the spot price. This price changes every day. You can locate it on several different websites. When you do buy, avoid more than an 8% markup. There are dealers who attempt to charge a higher amount, but they are unethical and simply overcharging.
Research the daily spot price before you sell your gold. Research the selling price of pieces similar to yours. You will get a general idea of the kind of price you can get. Ask a bit more so you can negotiate.
While some people like the idea of purchasing gold in coins or bars, the cost is very high. It is also not advisable to keep valuable coins or bullion in your possession unless you have a very secure safe. Having personal possession of a few gold coins is only a good idea if you know you can keep them secure.
Understand fees and commissions when buying investment gold pieces. Most reputable dealers will charge between five and seven percent. You need to realize this cost incurred to make sure you are still getting a good deal on the pieces you are buying, based on their true value at the time of purchase.
If the buyer of your gold does not ask to see your government issued ID, you may want to think twice about doing business with them. Gold buyers are required by law to see your ID and record your information. This requirement helps recover stolen property and prevents money laundering.
You must understand what is meant by a karat when you are buying or selling gold. Gold is a relatively soft metal so it is normally mixed with other metals to improve durability. A karat is the measure of how much of your metal is gold. Twenty-four karat is almost pure gold while ten karat is about half gold.
Gather information about any gold dealer you are considering selling to. This is crucial when dealing with any buyer who is out of the state. Make sure the gold buyer you select is properly registered with your local Better Business Bureau and ask if any complaints were filed against them.
Now that you read a very good article on why investing money in gold is a safe bet you have all the tools necessary to explore this market. Being educated on gold really helps you in this market, it is best that you study the tips that were presented to you here. Invest wisely and be safe in the gold market!
