What do you know about the gold market? Do you understand what it takes to trade intelligently? Could you turn a profit if you bought and sold today? Regardless of what skills you already possess, this article will give you the helpful hints you need to turn a profit tomorrow.
Know the meaning of different karat weights when buying or selling gold. Twenty four karat gold is worth more than fourteen, which is worth more than ten. If you understand the differences, you can make sure that you buy or sell for a fair price based on the true value of the piece.
Avoid buying gold coins for their historical value, unless the investment can stand on its own without the gold factoring in. Although coins with historical value can be very profitable investments, most often it is that alone and not the composite material that makes you money. Don’t confuse the two markets.
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.
When purchasing gold jewelry, ask the jeweler for a certificate of authenticity. This certificate is proof that you are purchasing a good piece of jewelry made of solid cold. Be sure the certificate indicates the price of the jewelry. Should you ever decide to sell your jewelry, this will be of help.
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.
Avoid rare gold coins unless you really know what you are buying. Rare gold coins can be difficult to sell, and they sometimes lose value quickly. They also might not contain as much gold as you think. Leave such purchases for the experts, and stick to better known coins for your own collection.
Avoid gold parties, unless you just want to have fun. For the most part, you aren’t going to get the full value of your jewelry, although participants often enjoy going because the parties are convenient and offer social interaction. Remember, the host has to get paid, as does the company buying the jewelry. That means that you are going to get less for your pieces.
When selling your gold, realize that jewelers use a different scale system than others. For example, one ounce of gold will weigh 31.1 grams. Some businesses weigh by the pennyweight, which is 1.555 grams. Then, they purchase by the gram instead of the pennyweight, which can result in them underpaying you.
You should research the gold market long before you make an investment. You will find that there are fraudsters waiting at every corner wanting to take you for a ride. Be wary of any claim to help you get rich quick in the gold markets. Don’t set expectations too high and you won’t be disappointed in your gold investment.
Look at the BBB before selling gold to jewelers, dealers, gold buyers, and the like. The BBB listing should include basic data about the company, along with details about any complaints made against them. You definitely want to notice any complaints, whether resolved or not. If the number of complaints is high, it would be a wise decision to do business with a different company instead.
You may be able to find antique jewelry at resale shops or antique stores that can be sold for more than you paid for it. Make sure to check the gold stamp to determine if it is 24K. This means the gold content is relatively high and you will be able to sell it at a higher price.
To benefit from the upside potential in gold, consider gold index funds. They are easily traded on the exchanges. For instance, the CBOE Gold Index roughly tracks the price of gold, both up and down, by trading gold mining companies. There exchange traded funds that trade on gold futures contracts, but those tend to be quite volatile.
If you want a quick way to invest in gold, consider ETFs. You can buy them just like shares, and you are able to buy or sell them at any time you wish. They are backed by physical gold and the management fees are quite low. They are a great way to make a short-term profit on your investment.
These tips have truly given you a great education when it comes to the gold market. The next step is to put them to use by buying and selling some gold. Once you start getting a handle on the right techniques, you’ll be turning a profit and enjoying your new investment hobby.
