Everyone is searching today for safe places to store their money, and one of those areas is the gold market. If you have thought about becoming an investor in gold but really aren’t sure where to start, the tips presented below can be valuable in helping you begin this journey. Read on and get solid advice on gold.
It is important to understand the type of scale your gold dealer uses. Some dealers use a Troy scale while others use a pennyweight. On a Troy scale, gold weighs 31.1 grams per ounce. A pennyweight equals 1.555 grams. In comparison, a US scale measures each ounce of gold at 28 grams.
Do your research on the fee and commission structures for the dealer you are considering. Every dealer will have slightly different commission structures. Some may be more fair to you than others, so use it as a way to comparison shop against multiple dealers. This way, you can get the best deal for you possible.
Find out if you have a piece made by a well-known designer. Sometimes, the origin of the piece and the designer of the piece makes a gold piece worth more, rather than having it melted down. Tell the buyer if you have a piece done by someone noteworthy, to get a better price.
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.
If you wish to enter the gold market but don’t have tons of capital, try buying scrap. This is easy to do over time, and can lead to an accumulation of real value in the span of a year or two. Store your gold in a secure location until enough to cash in has been amassed.
If you are buying gold jewelry as a gift, make sure you have a money back guarantee. It’s entirely possible that a particular piece ends up being improperly sized or simply unappreciated by its recipient. This is a huge problem.
If you have an interest in gold and also want to start your own business on the side, combine the two passions. Collect scrap gold from various sources, like friends and classified ads, and learn how to treat and melt the pieces into pure or near-pure gold. You can easily find a buyer for your end-product and repeat the process!
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.
Anything that is gold can be sold. There may be broken home decor, tableware, jewelry, or other things that are around you. It need not be completely pure, either. Even gold plated items will have some value. You’ll still get a decent return on your sale.
Know what you have. Some items are worth way more than the actual price of the gold they are made from. This is especially true for antique coins or jewelry. Oftentimes gold jewelry features highly sought after gems in the setting too. That could make the item a lot more valuable.
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.
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.
Read the terms and conditions of any gold mail-in service. These operations tend to have a lot of fine print, some of which can really work against you if there are any issues down the line. Before choosing this route, read everything you can so that you avoid as many potential pitfalls as possible.
Pawnshops are always an option when it comes to selling your gold. One nice thing about pawnshops is you can usually buy your items back if you have seller’s remorse in a few days or weeks. However, some pawnshops are more reputable than others, so look up customer reviews online before heading over.
As stated from above, anyone can get into the gold market and succeed if they understand where to start. Being educated is the first step towards being successful in gold trading, and making sure you get a good return on your investment. If you keep these tips close by you are sure to reap the rewards in the market of gold.
