Given the volatility of the global economy in recent years, buying and selling gold has gained a new degree of popularity. The key to generating real value and profits from gold is to spend sufficient time learning about the commodity and its market. Keep reading to gain valuable pointers that really can help.
When selling gold, it is a good idea to get an estimated value from more than one source. There are many places to get this done, and some will pay you more than others. Getting multiple estimates helps you get a fairer price on your gold when selling it.
Know that all gold investment come with risks. If you’re buying gold bullion coins to invest in, take time to learn about the coins before you buy them. Buyers who are uninformed tend to make hasty purchases, which they often overpay for. Like other investments, you don’t have guarantees. No one can predict that gold prices will stay the same or that they will remain popular later on.
Regardless of where you are selling your gold, you will be asked for your driver’s license or some other form of identification. Make sure you have it on you when you go to make the transaction. If you are preparing to sell and you don’t get asked for your ID, that should raise a big red flag.
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.
Before taking your gold to sell, research the buyer. Most reputable dealers will be members of the American Numismatic Association. These dealers are held to a higher standard of ethics and must follow certain criteria when purchasing gold from individuals. To ensure you get the most money for your gold, make sure to use a dealer who is part of this association.
Never buy your gold from a telemarketer. These individuals charge the highest commission rates, meaning you will pay more for your gold coins than you really have to. Instead, look for gold sellers on your own, and always buy from someone who is reputable. This will help you to get the greatest value in your gold investment.
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.
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.
Remember that you can lose money when you buy gold. Buying gold is an investment and like all investments, its value can actually decrease as well as increase. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you do not invest more than you can comfortably afford to lose in the precious metal.
When selling your gold, realize that jewelers use a different scale system than others. For example, one ounce of gold will weigh 31.1 grams. Some businesses weigh by the pennyweight, which is 1.555 grams. Then, they purchase by the gram instead of the pennyweight, which can result in them underpaying you.
If you are considering selling your gold to a pawn shop or second hand store, go with the pawn shop. Pawn shops have certain regulations they must abide by, and this protects you, the consumer. Second hand stores have no such regulations, which opens up the possibility of unethical practices.
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.
When you are selling gold, sort your gold pieces by their value in karats. The gold values differ by karat values so if all the gold you have is weighed together, it won’t be the best value you can get. The money you receive in return depends largely on how much each karat value is.
Gold has traditionally provided a stable repository of value, even in the most turbulent economic times. In order to extract maximum value from your own participation in the gold market, knowledge is absolutely essential. Hopefully this article has given you the foundation necessary to launch your own exploration of the possibilities offered by gold.
