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.
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.
While doing your research about the seller of gold, be wary of reviews on social media sites. Gold sellers have been known to pay people to produce false reviews about their services. Do not count solely on the reviews that you read on those sites and continue your research through other sites.
Avoid rare gold coins unless you really know what you are buying. Rare gold coins can be difficult to sell, and they sometimes lose value quickly. They also might not contain as much gold as you think. Leave such purchases for the experts, and stick to better known coins for your own collection.
Though it is much more cheaper, try to avoid gold plated jewelry. When worn frequently, these pieces of jewelry tend to rub against the skin, causing it to wear down and turn colors. If you do insist on wearing this kind of jewelry, do not do so on an everyday basis.
Be a student of the gold market. This market is very tricky, as the price of gold is something that changes on a daily basis. What’s a great deal one day could be less than stellar the next. It’s up to you to know what you are getting into so that you can get the most for your buying or selling.
Purchasing gold at retail values can be expensive and unaffordable at times. Pawn shops and consignment stores often carry a variety of gold pieces. This gold is second hand, which makes it more affordable than purchasing it in a retail store. Visit different shops until you find the perfect gold piece for you.
Remember that gold is not the only type of precious metal that you can invest your money in. Sometimes silver and palladium can actually be better investment that gold. In addition, you can also buy copper bullion bars and copper coins. Therefore, do not think that gold is your only option if you are looking to invest in metal.
Watch out for the gold buying bait and switch. There are buyers out there that promote the price they’ll pay for bulk gold, but don’t tell you that the price is much more for smaller quantities. This can leave you making a very bad deal. Ask before you make any sort of commitment.
Be realistic about the price you want for your gold pieces. Remember that any buyer will want to earn a profit, so they will never pay you one hundred percent value for the gold you are selling. If they offer you seventy five or eighty percent of the value, they are usually giving you a fair deal.
Try to look for coin dealers that offer a money back guarantee. This proves that the company is more worried about you being satisfied than they are about making a profit for themselves. It will not be easy to find a dealer that offers this, but it is definitely worth the time it takes to seek one out.
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.
When you buy gold as an investment, you should consider how easy it will be to sell when you are ready. Common gold coins are relatively simple to sell. Rare gold coins and coins mostly traded outside the US can be more difficult to sell. Gold bars can be expensive and difficult to resell if you need to send them to a dealer.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate a little bit with your gold dealer before selling or buying. There’s typically a little wiggle room in the prices that are offered to you, so take advantage of it. This is a major advantage of a face-to-face sale over one that’s done over the Internet.
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.
