Wise investors have always kept gold in mind as a solid method of safeguarding wealth, but interest in the commodity has truly boomed of late. However, far too many investors lack the essential understanding of gold markets make smart decisions in terms of buying and selling. Keep reading to ensure that you are not among the latter group.
Really look into the reputation of the dealer that you are considering using. Because gold is such a high value commodity, there are a few shady operations out there that are looking to get the best of you. It’s your job to make sure that doesn’t happen. Research the companies fully.
Know you’re going to have to show your ID when you sell gold. By law, people are required to present their identification when they sell gold. That is done in order to deter thieves and other criminals. Therefore, don’t be embarrassed if they ask for your ID, and even snap a photograph of you.
Before finalizing your gold sale, get the entire thing down in writing. Later on, if there’s any sort of problems related to the sale, you’ll need this signed written document at the ready to prove your case. If you don’t have it, you may find that proving any sort of fraud will be nearly impossible.
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.
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.
When selling your gold, it is necessary to determine if you wish to sell something as jewelry or simply to get its melt value. Pawn shops and many private sellers are only looking to pay the melt value. Don’t let this hamper you, because you’ll find the right buyer eventually.
Keep in mind that buying rare gold coins takes a lot of research, expertise, time, and dedication. Some coins tend to look alike, but they may have very different grades. Minor differences like these can lead to an additional thousands of dollars. Try hiring a type of professional grading service to obtain a certificate of authenticity when buying rare coins. These services judge the physical condition and provide it with a grade.
Do not allow different carats of gold to be weighed together. This is because dealers will base the price on the lowest carat gold. Each carat of gold is mixed with 10 parts of other alloys; thus, a 10 carat weight gold ring will be worth much less than an 18 carat gold ring.
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.
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 you are trying to sell your gold and hit a store that offers you a record high price, it’s often a good idea to sell immediately. Most prices are only good for twenty four hours because the markets change so frequently. If you try to go back the next day, the store usually will not honor the original price they gave you.
You can invest in gold for your retirement plan, like a 401K or an IRA, but it has to be a qualified investment. Exchange traded gold funds will usually qualify just like other stocks traded on the market. Gold coins may be a different story. A retirement account may only accept .999 pure gold for investing.
When selling gold, don’t be surprised if the buyer does a scratch test on the gold. This test helps prove the karat fineness of the gold in hand so that a proper price can be determined. This is a totally normal practice and often done, so don’t be alarmed by it.
Gold has long been part of every astute investor’s financial mix, but interest among a wide range of individuals has grown exponentially in the aftermath of the financial turmoil of recent years. The lynchpin of sound gold investing is knowledge, which takes time and effort to acquire. With any luck, the above article has been a helpful tool for accomplishing that task.
