For thousands of years, humans have treasured gold and regarded it as a prized possession. You can buy it as an investment or as a beautiful piece of jewelry for the one you love. If you are looking to get into buying more 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.
When buying gold, it is best to buy in larger weights. The more the gold weighs, the less you will pay per ounce. Take your time when buying gold to be sure to shop around for the best price for the weight that you are intending to buy to be sure you are investing wisely.
Never overlook gold scraps. If you happen to have small pieces of gold sitting around, keep them together to sell at a future time. This can be scraps from an old pair of earrings or any other piece of jewelry. Even a few ounces can be some serious cash back in your pocket.
When you go to sell your gold, make sure your expectations are not too high and bring your government-issued identification. On average, gold dealers pay between 70 and 80 percent of the actual value. The law requires that dealers ask sellers for identification when buying gold to aid police in their investigations about stolen property.
Consider a fair return policy as an absolute necessity when you’re purchasing gold jewelry, especially if you intend to make a gift out of it. It’s not uncommon for many pieces to not be the receiver’s taste or the wrong size. If that happens then you’re going to want to return it and get your money back.
Be very wary of anyone that claims to be able to offer you rare and valuable coins at dropdown prices. The reality is that no one is going to give you something for nothing. The coins you are being offered are probably not as valuable as they are making them out to be.
Gold
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.
Do not fall for the pressure that sellers may put on you. Sales pressure is commonly used when the seller is trying to pull a fast one on you. Always take some time to consider all of your options before investing in gold. This is especially true when buying over the Internet.
Make a commitment to yourself to get educated on gold. Know going in: only you are on your side. The buyers, no matter how reputable, want to get the best deal for themselves as possible. If you can’t speak the language, there’s a very good chance that you’ll lose in any sort of negotiation.
Figure out if you want to invest directly or indirectly in gold. Direct investment means you buy gold, the actual gold. You can feel and touch it. Buying gold coins is an example. Indirect investment means you buy funds or certificates that are pegged to the price of gold. Examples include gold mining stocks or exchange traded gold funds.
When buying and selling gold coins and bullions, realize that you will be responsible for capital gains and losses. The US government treats all gold sales as long term capital gains. The tax rate on such sales is 28 percent. Ensure that you keep good financial records to help prepare you tax return.
If you aren’t ready for gold, you can always start investing in the cheaper option of silver. Once you get a feel for the market, you can turn your profits from silver into an investment directly in gold. The gold market is more stable than silver and can bring you greater profits.
Be wary of any dealer who requests you to step into a back room to complete a gold sale. All gold sales should be done in a public setting. Many dishonest dealers want to do business behind closed doors to help keep other sellers from overhearing the conversation. By insisting that you deal in a public setting, you can help ensure you get the maximum value for your gold.
As you have seen, gold is a highly prized, precious metal. It has lasting value and can be a wise investment if you know how to do it. Now you are better educated about gold and how to buy it. So get started on your own collection of gold today.
