Many people forget about investing in gold because they think they have to buy expensive gold bars. While this is an option, there is much more to investing in gold that just buying it raw. Keep in mind the tips you’re about to read so that you can work towards adding gold to your portfolio.
Use caution when buying your gold. Make sure that you are buying from a reputable seller. You can learn who you can trust by searching the Better Business Bureau website and other resources like it. If you attempt to buy your gold through online actions, pay special attention to the seller’s history.
Gold bullion bars are great investments. There are numerous sizes available. The bullion bars come in half ounce bars and increase up to large bars weighing 400 ounces. The smaller bars are more common, while the larger ones are harder to find.
If you’re interested in buying gold from a dealer, make sure he is reputable. Avoid doing business with anyone who doesn’t have at least 10 years of experience in the business, because that’s one of the most important prerequisites to have. Someone who has been around for a decade is likely to be trustworthy and knowledgeable enough to make you money.
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.
Get an appraisal if you do not know the value of your gold jewelry. Though you will have to pay a bit, knowing its value is crucial. Make sure you go to an accredited and reliable appraiser to get valid appraisal papers. If you’re going to sell the gold you have, you’re not going to get the appraisal value.
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.
Once you decide to sell your gold, start your search with local dealers. Go into a store and get a ballpark figure for your pieces. From there, you can begin checking online and in other shops to see where you can get the most bang for your buck. Get at least four to five quotes before you go forward with a sale.
Some pieces of gold jewelry have values above and beyond their weight in gold. If you have antique or designer pieces of gold jewelry you’re considering selling, take them to an appraiser first before selling them for scrap value. There may be a buyer out there that wants your jewelry for its collectible value, rather than its gold value.
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.
Know what you have. Not all pieces that appear to be gold are worth their weight in gold. It’s not uncommon to find gold that has been mixed in with other, lesser metals. The price will be affected by this, often lowering it. This also applies to pieces that are plated with gold. Having an appraisal done to your gold can help you get the best idea of its actual worth.
Carefully read and check the small print in the sales contract. If you’re using a mail-in gold program, read all the fine print prior to committing to the deal. This lets you know how much you end up with after any fees are taken off the top.
Don’t just bring your gold to a buyer without knowing its true value, no matter how badly you are in need of cash. Calculate the value of your items based on purity and weight so that you have a good idea what the fair market value is. Only then should you bring your gold to a dealer.
Hopefully, this article has helped you realize that there are many options open to you for investing in gold. Now that you’ve read these tips, it’s time to put them to good use. Once you see gold in your investment portfolio, you will feel much better about the equality and quality of your investments.
