One of the most exciting markets to get into when investing is gold. Gold is nearly always a good investment, and you know it is bound to pay off in the long run. The following article will offer you tips and tricks on getting into gold and how to make the best choices.
Before attending a gold party, separate your jewelry by karat weight. Some buyers will try to weigh all of your pieces together, and then pay you based on the lowest karat weight among them. This amounts to less money in your pocket, meaning you have made an unfair sale.
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.
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.
Those investing in gold bullion coins or collector coins need to know how their prices work differ before they buy or sell. The prices of bullion coins are determined by the daily prices of gold, while collector coins carry significant collector premiums that are determined via historical supply and demand. Some coins may be easily found in circulated condition for modest premiums over their own bullion content, but those exact coins in superb condition may fetch a higher value that is several thousand dollars above their melt value.
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.
If you own gold or plan on buying some anytime soon, be sure to also invest in a good safe, unless you’re going to store it in the bank. Many financial institutions don’t insure their safe deposit boxes, so people tend to harbor gold at home. Get a solid safe, home security system and have the gold insured, for the safest keeping.
If you are thinking about becoming a buyer or seller of gold, make sure you are legal! In the United States, you must have a license to purchase, sell or trade gold in any quantities on a regular basis. Check with your city or town about how to become licensed, and then enjoy your new entitlement to dealing in gold.
When looking to buy gold as an investment, it is important that you invest in solid gold. There are many phrases you should look out for such as “gold clad,” “gold enveloped” because these are just fancy words for gold plated. This means under the gold is a different metal, which drastically drives down the value.
Always identify the karat value of your jewelry when you walk into the store to sell it. Some dealers will try to convince their customers that the karat value of a piece is lower than it actually is, and this results in less money in the consumer’s pocket. Have a clear understanding of your piece’s actual weight so this doesn’t happen to you.
Go into your gold selling knowing the current price of gold. This is a commodity that has a fluctuating price. Every day it’s something new. If you aren’t in the know, you could be taken advantage of by a less than reputable gold buying company. Remember, knowledge is the real power here. Go into any negotiation ready with it.
Many jewelry shops will buy gold, and they are often the best places to go, as they generally pay a fair price. However, as gold parties and mail-in operations become more popular, these stores are starting to realize that they don’t have to pay as much money as they used to for the items. Get several quotes before making any decisions.
Don’t get too far over your head if you’re just starting out investing. Try to avoid gold futures investments. Futures are complicated and unpredictable. When you don’t know about gold, you could end up losing tons of money. Let more experienced investors make these kinds of complex investments.
Hopefully this article has given you enough information that you can now enter the gold market with confidence. Use the tips you have read here and other reliable sources of information to make highly educated decisions with your investments. Gold is very exciting and will nearly always make you money!
