In these uncertain economic times, many people are deciding to invest in precious metals such as gold. This is because they tend to hold their value. If you have been thinking about investing in gold, then this article is for you. It will give you some great tips pertaining to help you invest wisely.
Know the meaning of different karat weights when buying or selling gold. Twenty four karat gold is worth more than fourteen, which is worth more than ten. If you understand the differences, you can make sure that you buy or sell for a fair price based on the true value of the piece.
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.
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.
Before buying or selling gold, be sure you are aware of how metals are priced. Gold, along with silver and platinum, have prices that change on a whim. Therefore, you must always know what the spot price currently is. You might need to pay a higher percentage for melt values such as 1/10, and 1/2 fractional pieces.
If you think your gold has high value, have it appraised before going to make a sale. An appraiser is more likely to give you an accurate value for your pieces, while a seller might low ball you to get a better price. Bring your appraisal certificate with you when selling to ensure you’re making a fair deal.
Only jewelry that is at least 10 karats can be sold to gold dealers. The more karats your piece is, the higher amount it will command on the market. Therefore, a necklace that is 14 karats should get you a better price than something that is only 10 karats. Prior to taking in your jewelry, look at each piece to determine how many karats it is. This may help you decide whether you want to sell it or not.
Understanding how gold is weighed can ensure that you don’t get ripped off when selling your gold to a dealer. Gold can be weighed in Troy ounces, pennyweight, or grams. The most important thing is to make sure that whatever system the buyer is using to weigh your gold is the same one they’re calculating the payment with.
When deciphering the actual sales price of gold, you should understand the fees associated with selling gold. Dealers generally charge a commission of five to six percent for each ounce of gold sold. For example, if you are selling $100.00 worth of gold, the dealer will take $5.00 out of the proceeds for commission fees.
You don’t have to physically own gold to invest in gold. Check out mutual funds that invest specifically in gold. Also look at mutual funds that invest heavily in commodities in general with a concentration in gold. This makes investing in this sector a lot easier to handle for many.
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.
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.
If you are looking to find a great deal on gold and other precious metals, try going to flea markets and estate sales. If you really take your time to look around thoroughly and do some hard core digging, you can end up finding pieces that others have overlooked.
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.
When planning to purchase American Eagle gold coins, do not settle on the first price or seller you find. Instead, take advantage of a dealer location finding tool available on the website of the U.S. Mint. By identifying a variety of dealers and then researching their current prices, you can rest assured that you have gotten the very best deal possible.
Any sound investment strategy recognizes the necessity of diversifying your portfolio. Most financial advisers recommended that investments in gold should represent no more than 10 to 30 percent of your total assets. This amount leaves plenty of room in your portfolio for other types of products to round out your portfolio.
Since gold is better as a long-term investment, don’t worry about trying to buy when prices are low. It’s an investment to hang onto for a rainy day. If you’re going to figure out the timing perfectly, it’s best to do so when it’s quieter in the market. In difficult economic circumstances, gold shortages can be rampant.
As you can see, there can be a lot of value in investing in gold, when done in the right way. Hopefully now you feel more comfortable about the subject. Apply the advice you have learned in this article to be much more gold savvy. You will be thankful that you did!
