Does the gold market intrigue you? Everyday in the news, you hear reports about gold prices in relation to the business economy. But how does one make gold into a good investment? If you are looking for answers, this article may be able to introduce you to some key aspects of gold investing.
Know what gold is currently selling for. While it’s convenient to just bring your gold to a shop, do a little internet research first to see what the range is. That way, you can go in knowing how much you can expect to receive. You will know if you are being lowballed.
Do not expect too much from a gold party. While you will make some money by attending, they are more about having fun with friends or family. Expect to reap about 80 percent of the actual value of your gold. If you are looking to get more than that, consider dealing with a jeweler or other gold dealer.
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.
If you are headed to a gold party, keep your expectations low. While you may walk out with a few hundred dollars, you are not going to get rich. You also won’t get the full value of your jewelry. Go and have fun, but do not sell anything you don’t want to sell.
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”.
Be extra cautious when using a mail-away service for selling your gold. Always buy shipping insurance for your items. Know how long the dealer will hold your pieces before melting them, and know how long you have to accept or reject their offer. And keep an inventory with pictures of all the items you’ve sent.
Know the true value of your gold. Not everything is worth what you think it’s worth. Usually, there are other metals mixed with gold for stability. This results in a price reduction. This also applies to gold plated items. If you are not certain about what you have, an appraisal before selling is wise.
Understand how gold much gold is in each ounce. For example, 18 carat gold contains more gold than 14 carat. This is because in 18 carat gold there is 18 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys. In 14 carat gold, there is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys. For this reason, 18 carat gold sells for more than 14 carat gold.
When trying to determine if something is real gold or not, try holding it up to a magnet. Since true gold does not have any magnetic properties, it shouldn’t respond at all. If you observe any attraction between your “gold” and the magnet, you’ve probably been fooled or simply found a good imitation.
Check your local Better Business Bureau before purchasing or selling gold to a dealer. Your local Better Business Bureau will have a record of any complaints lodged about a company. By checking with your Better Business Bureau, you can ensure that you are selling or buying from a reputable dealer.
Always read the fine print of any contract so you understand it completely. If you sell gold through a mail-in purchaser, make sure you understand the terms of the deal. Then you can determine how much you will lose to fees.
Be a comparison shopper. Each gold dealer will make different offers. It may depend on their commission set up or the flexibility in their fees. But you won’t see the benefit of this unless you shop around. Don’t stop at the first place and call it a day. You may be making a bad deal for yourself.
Do not sell your gold at a gold party. Although these parties are fun, sellers usually net less than 80 percent of the value of their gold at these parties. To get the most bang for your buck, find a reputable dealer that specializes in buying and selling gold.
Investors around the world buy and sell gold everyday. Gold prices not only affect the price of gold jewelry, but they have direct relationship to the world economy. This article gave you a brief introduction to what the gold market involves. If you are serious about gold investing, use this information as a stepping stone into your personal education of this hot commodity.
