Many people today are looking to place their money in the gold market because it is considered a less risky investment. Even though all investments carry risk, chances are you won’t lose everything when you buy gold. Read on and get valuable advice in the world of the gold market.
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.
Know you’re going to have to show your ID when you sell gold. By law, people are required to present their identification when they sell gold. That is done in order to deter thieves and other criminals. Therefore, don’t be embarrassed if they ask for your ID, and even snap a photograph of you.
If a deal seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Be leery of people who are selling their gold for way below the going rate. Chances are probably good that it is gold plated or brass. Even if it is stamped, it is always best to have it tested before you buy it.
How heavy your gold is will determine how much money you get for each piece. However, some dealers are not very reputable and may try to pay you less than you are owed. Watch out for anyone who weighs your gold by the pennyweight but tries to pay you for grams instead.
Understanding how gold alloy works is important when both buying and selling your gold. Since gold is too soft to be used by itself, it is combined with other metals to form an alloy. The karat system will tell you how much gold is in the alloy. In the United States, jewelry must be at least 10 karats for it be legally allowed to be called “gold jewelry”.
Consider futures trading if you have an interest in gold investing, but not a lot of cash. You can visit a local commodity trading firm and open a new account. The best thing about futures is that you can control amounts that far exceed what you actually have on hand in terms of cash.
Your buyers should always have gold-buying licenses from the state. Licensed buyers are generally more reputable than unlicensed buyers. Lots of shops or individual operators are willing to purchase gold, so you should never feel you need to go with the first offer you get.
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.
Go into selling your gold with a realistic attitude. Some people think a few pieces are going to net them thousands of dollars, but realistically there are many factors in play. The items may not be pure gold, or they could even be plated. Consider an appraisal to understand what you really have.
Before you sell gold jewelry for its scrap value, have it professionally appraised. This is an absolute must-do if you are selling unique, handcrafted pieces of jewelry. Although you may be charged a fee for the appraisal, it may earn you more money in the long run. An appraiser may know someone who will give you a good price for your jewelry items.
Know going into any gold buyer that you won’t get the current daily rate for the price of your gold. There are all sorts of fees that come into play that will affect your final return. The goal is to find a company that gives you the best deal out there. Do a little shopping before settling.
Understand fees and commissions when buying investment gold pieces. Most reputable dealers will charge between five and seven percent. You need to realize this cost incurred to make sure you are still getting a good deal on the pieces you are buying, based on their true value at the time of purchase.
Do not sell your gold just because you can. Gold is a commodity that goes up in price a lot more than it falls. Even though it scores all-time highs often, the odds are pretty good it’ll be even higher in the future. Holding onto your gold might mean some serious money over time.
Reading this article about investing in the gold market was the first step towards understanding how to make a safe investment. Now that you have these tips you should possess enough confidence to go out and invest on your own. Take what you learned here as great advice on how to approach the market of gold.
