Gold has been valued by people since the beginning of time. It has been used as money, given as gifts and turned into jewelry to show affection. Gold is a good investment because it is universally treasured. If you are looking to invest in some gold, here are some tips to help you invest wisely.
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.
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.
Avoid gold coins that are being sold at flea markets and local pawn shops. They may seem like a great deal, but all that glitters is not gold. The coins may be counterfeit and/or they may have been cleaned to make them appear far more valuable than they actually are.
Before you go shopping for gold jewelry, be sure you know which particular color you would like to purchase. Yellow gold tends to be the most popular, gold is also found in other colors, like white, rose, and even green. Knowing this information will help you narrow down your choice.
Make sure that you understand the terms when sending jewelry back through the mail. You should be clear about when you can expect to be paid. Insuring your gold shipment is a good idea, too. Take a photo of all the items you are sending so there will be no questions later.
If you have an interest in getting into the gold markets, but don’t have a lot of investment capital, consider buying scrap. This can be done in tiny increments which allow you to build wealth slowly. Keep your stash in a safe place until you have enough of it to cash in.
Watch out for “pop-up” buyers. These individuals travel from place to place, putting out advertisements that lure in sellers with the promise of a big payout. In many cases, these buyers then leave town without paying the sellers what they are owed. Always do your research on anyone you are planning to sell to.
If you’re going to get into gold, plan ahead for it. As fun and rewarding as it may be, accumulating wealth is also a very stressful thing if you’re not prepared properly. Consider things like storage and insurance long before you get your hands on any gold, and avoid unnecessary headaches and worry.
The gold value of a piece of jewelry will never be equal to the amount you paid for it. That is because the gold is not pure and is diluted by alloys. The jewelry will need to be melted down to separate the gold from whatever other material it was mixed with.
If the buyer of your gold does not ask to see your government issued ID, you may want to think twice about doing business with them. Gold buyers are required by law to see your ID and record your information. This requirement helps recover stolen property and prevents money laundering.
Gold prices have grown 400 percent in the previous 10 years, which is terrific for those who own this commodity. The value of the dollar directly correlates the value of gold. As the value of the dollar drops, gold usually rises.
Never fall for any “best price” offers. Typically those claiming to offer the best prices for gold are the ones that’ll give you the worst deals going. To find the best deals, it’s going to take some time. Call around, talk to your friends, and comparison shop. There are better deals out there.
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.
Get a real idea of what you’ve got prior to a sale. Yes, reputable gold dealers will give you need to know information like the karat weights of what you have. But they aren’t in the business of giving you intel on whether they are offering a good deal. That’s up to you to figure out.
You have to consider at what percentage of your portfolio do you want gold as an investment. This means as you keep growing your investment, you are going to have to manage it accordingly. A good rule of thumb for gold investors is to tack gold at 10 percent of your overall portfolio. This is just a suggestion.
Ask around to find a reputable gold dealer prior to making any sales. Your family and friends may have some leads that can really help. It could save you quite a lot of time during your research process. Back up what you learn from them with some Internet research too. Also check with the Better Business Bureau.
Hopefully these tips have given you a better idea of how to go about buying gold. Whether you are looking to invest in it to make money or just to collect beautiful pieces of jewelry, gold has lasting value. It usually goes up in value. Keep these tips in mind and start your own collection of gold today.
