The surge in popularity of gold buying and selling in recent years is likely the result of the perfect storms of financial insecurity and economic turbulence. If investing in gold is something you have intended to learn more about, you have come to the right place. Continue on for some terrific tips that you can put to use right away.
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.
Gold is something that changes in price all the time. This is why you should know what it’s worth prior to selling. Different karat values will be valued and weighed separately when selling your gold. Remember that jewelry will sell at its melt value, not the price the jeweler wants for it.
Before buying or selling gold, look into the market price for gold for the day. There are daily fluctuations on price for precious metals, so it’s important for you to know what the current going rate is. This will help you understand whether the dealer is overpriced or fair in the offers made to you.
Do your research on the fee and commission structures for the dealer you are considering. Every dealer will have slightly different commission structures. Some may be more fair to you than others, so use it as a way to comparison shop against multiple dealers. This way, you can get the best deal for you possible.
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.
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If you decide to go with a mail in service to sell your gold, make sure to have your items insured. If the items do not arrive at the buyer’s location, you could lose out on the entire value of your gold. By insuring the items, you are protecting yourself against loss or theft.
Do not assume that gold that is old, ugly, broken and unwearable is not eligible to be sold for a profit. The value of gold is not based on the attractiveness of the piece. It all depends on the weight of the gold, so feel free to bring in gold that is in any condition.
If you want to purchase a piece of gold jewelry that will last a long time, it’s crucial to purchase heavier jewelry. Though they may be more expensive, heavier pieces are able to withstand pretty much anything. On the other hand, thinner more fragile pieces are more likely to break.
If you’re selling gold jewelry, make sure you know about karats. Pure gold is very soft, so it’s mixed with other metals for color and durability. The FTC or Federal Trade Commission requires that all sold U.S. gold jewelry must describe the alloy’s karat fineness. A single karat equals 1/24 of pure gold via weight. For instance, 14 karats jewelry is 14 parts gold and 10 parts different metals. Jewelry can’t be sold as “gold jewelry” if it’s less than 10 karats.
Before selling jewelry as scrap, have an appraisal done. This is true for pieces made with fine craftsmanship. The appraisal will give you the best idea as to the worth of your gold. They may even give you a reference to a buyer.
Try to avoid buying gold coins from small shops that claim to be reputable dealers. You want to make sure that the people you deal with are really knowledgeable about the business, so it would be in your best interest to look for a gold dealer that has a much larger inventory.
Get a certificate of authenticity when buying gold jewelry. This is your proof that the piece you have purchased is real, consists of a certain karat count and has a specific value. This certificate can be used to authenticate your piece for resale or insurance purposes, should you need it.
The concept of using gold as a way to consolidate and protect personal wealth is nothing new, but the immense interest in this investment vehicle in recent years has taken some by surprise. If gold investing appeals to you, it is important that you arm yourself with expert advice. Using this article as a foundation is a great way to have begun.
