Gold has always been a prized possession. There are few things that have been treasured as much as gold. Gold is universally recognized as a valuable commodity and it often given as a token of affection. If you are looking to buy gold, here are some tips to keep in mind.
The price of gold changes often, so you need to know the value of your gold before attempting to sell it. If you are selling gold, sort it by karat so that it can be valued separately. You should not sell jewelry as gold scraps if its worth is higher because of the brand or design.
Prior to selling or buying gold, be certain you know how precious metal pricing works. Gold, platinum and silver prices tend to fluctuate daily, so make sure you check the spot price on a specific day before you make a transaction. You must be prepared to pay higher percentages over the melt values for fractional gold pieces like 1/10, 1/4th, and 1/2 ounces versus one-ounce pieces.
If you need money in a pinch, sell your gold to a pawn shop. You won’t get the best rates from a pawn shop, but it’s highly unlikely they’ll look the other way with any gold you bring into them. If speed is of an essence, it’s probably your best bet.
When going to sell your gold, bring along identification. If you come to an agreement on the sale of the pieces, you will be required to give the buyers a copy of your government issued id. This is a law meant to protect individuals against buying pieces that are stolen, and any reputable dealer will stand by this law.
Check the current price in the gold market before you sell your jewelry. This allows you to evaluate a dealer’s offer against the current market rate. Many dealers will pay market value, however others rely on people desperate for cash to get the most for themselves.
Just like you would do a price comparison on a vehicle you are interested in purchasing, make sure you go to more than one place to inquire about the value of your gold. Different shops and dealers are going to quote you different prices. Get the most money possible for your jewelry.
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.
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.
When you’re dealing with any type of gold it can be of valuable to someone that buys it. Don’t overlook flatware, watches, jewelry and even broken pieces as potential sources of profit. Solid 24-karat gold isn’t the only type that dealers are interested in, either. Items with partial gold content, gold plating, or gold mixtures may still be valuable. The amount you can get will depend on how pure your item is.
If you are planning on buying gold for historic value, make sure you understand the true value of the piece. Some are worth no more than their melt price. If you are buying for your own collection, that might be okay. If you are buying as an investment, you should look for pieces that are worth more, meaning it’s often advisable to stay away from any mention of historic value.
All investments come with a certain amount of risk, and gold is no different. To help limit your risk when selling gold, ask for referrals from friends or family members who have sold gold in the past. They may be able to steer you toward a reputable gold buyer.
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.
Be a comparison shopper. Each gold dealer will make different offers. It may depend on their commission set up or the flexibility in their fees. But you won’t see the benefit of this unless you shop around. Don’t stop at the first place and call it a day. You may be making a bad deal for yourself.
Now that you know a bit more about buying gold, take what you have learned and start your gold collection today. You can start off small by just buying small, inexpensive pieces of jewelry to wear. You can also invest in gold coins or ingots. When it comes to investing in gold, there is a world of choices.
