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.
Use caution when buying your gold. Make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. You can learn who you can trust by searching the Better Business Bureau website and other resources like it. If you attempt to buy your gold through online actions, pay special attention to the seller’s history.
Never overlook gold scraps. If you happen to have small pieces of gold sitting around, keep them together to sell at a future time. This can be scraps from an old pair of earrings or any other piece of jewelry. Even a few ounces can be some serious cash back in your pocket.
When you are buying or selling gold to another person, make sure you are keeping yourself protected agaisnt identity theft. Avoid giving out your personal financial information. This includes bank account numbers, credit card numbers and Social Security numbers. Take special care to not give out this type of information, especially over the phone to people that you don’t know.
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.
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.
You need to know what you have before you go to sell it. Higher karats equals higher gold density and more value. Buyers who do not have a good reputation may try to take advantage of sellers who don’t know exactly what they have. Twenty-four karat gold is almost pure gold so it is worth way more than fourteen karat gold.
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 are planning to buy gold coins, consider holding on to them for awhile before making a sale. Gold can fluctuate in value on a daily basis, meaning if you buy today, sometimes the value will be less tomorrow. This can lead to frustration if you try to sell too soon. Save yourself the headache by buying for the long run.
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.
Some pieces of gold jewelry have values above and beyond their weight in gold. If you have antique or designer pieces of gold jewelry you’re considering selling, take them to an appraiser first before selling them for scrap value. There may be a buyer out there that wants your jewelry for its collectible value, rather than its gold value.
Look at the World Gold Counsel website before buying from an online dealer. This site lists reputable dealers who you can trust working with. Buying from someone else could result in you being scammed, because there are many dishonest gold dealers out there. Do your homework first to make sure you remain protected.
Do not purchase gold jewelry with the idea that it is an good investment. Because the gold in jewelry is not pure, it is unlikely it will ever be worth its purchase price. A much safer choice for investing in gold is to purchase gold coins, bullion or gold stocks.
If you are purchasing gold for investment purposes, understand that there is no guarantee. Gold prices fluctuate often, meaning some investors win big and others lose big. Always make sure you are not investing more than you can afford to, and have a clear understanding of the risks before you invest at all.
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.
