Investing in gold is a very popular way to protect your savings from inflation. Though more and more people are using gold to help with finances, most don’t know how to properly do it. This article will help anyone and everyone learn about the market.
Get a good education in precious metal pricing before you try to buy or sell gold. With silver, platinum and gold the prices vary wildly throughout the day, and in order to get the correct price you must spot check it on the day before making a purchase. You may have to pay higher prices, though, for pieces that have a small fractional measurement.
If you need money in a pinch, sell your gold to a pawn shop. You won’t get the best rates from a pawn shop, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll look the other way with any gold you bring into them. If speed is of an essence, it’s probably your best bet.
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.
Steer clear of any “act now” offers. The gold industry is filled with less than reputable types that want you to take immediate action. Why? Because typically, they’ll get the better end of the deal because you didn’t read through the fine print. Instead, walk away from these types of deals and be patient in how you approach the market.
Only jewelry that is at least 10 karats can be sold to gold dealers. The more karats your piece is, the higher amount it will command on the market. Therefore, a necklace that is 14 karats should get you a better price than something that is only 10 karats. Prior to taking in your jewelry, look at each piece to determine how many karats it is. This may help you decide whether you want to sell it or not.
If you want to purchase a piece of gold jewelry that will last a long time, it’s crucial to purchase heavier jewelry. Though they may be more expensive, heavier pieces are able to withstand pretty much anything. On the other hand, thinner more fragile pieces are more likely to break.
Consider futures trading if you have an interest in gold investing, but not a lot of cash. You can visit a local commodity trading firm and open a new account. The best thing about futures is that you can control amounts that far exceed what you actually have on hand in terms of cash.
Try to avoid buying gold coins from small shops that claim to be reputable dealers. You want to make sure that the people you deal with are really knowledgeable about the business, so it would be in your best interest to look for a gold dealer that has a much larger inventory.
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.
When buying gold coins, always purchase the largest denomination available. Gold firms typically charge a premium on each coin to cover their advertising costs and provide a profit. By purchasing large denominations, and therefore fewer actual coins, you save yourself money by reducing the premium you pay to the dealer.
When buying and selling gold coins and bullions, realize that you will be responsible for capital gains and losses. The US government treats all gold sales as long term capital gains. The tax rate on such sales is 28 percent. Ensure that you keep good financial records to help prepare you tax return.
Prior to any gold buying or selling, look for a stamp on the gold or jewelry. This stamp lets you know what the karat value is of the piece you are considering. This is essential information to give you an idea of the exact value of the gold. The buyer or seller will be aware, so make sure you are too.
While you can invest in the actual precious metal itself, you can also look into buying gold in other ways. There are gold mining stocks and mutual funds even centered around gold as well. Look into your options thoroughly, and ask questions before making a decision. You want to make the right investment for you.
Gold is more popular than ever. You can use gold to ride out the tumultuous wave that the stock market may be going through. This article has given you tons of advice, so make use of it.
