Gold investing is very popular among investors. Many people trust this precious metal to be a good hedge against inflation. Gold has made some investors very rich because they made the right market decisions at the right time. If you want to find out what gold investing is all about, read the following article for some helpful tips.
If you have an interest in gold and also want to start your own business on the side, combine the two passions. Collect scrap gold from various sources, like friends and classified ads, and learn how to treat and melt the pieces into pure or near-pure gold. You can easily find a buyer for your end-product and repeat the process!
Anything that contains gold can be sold. It could be a broken jewelry item, table settings, home decor items or anything that is in the house. Having 100% gold isn’t required, either. It could be part of an item that’s gold, or just gold-plated. The amount you can get will depend on how pure your item is.
Know what you have. Some items are worth way more than the actual price of the gold they are made from. This is especially true for antique coins or jewelry. Oftentimes gold jewelry features highly sought after gems in the setting too. That could make the item a lot more valuable.
Watch out for the gold buying bait and switch. There are buyers out there that promote the price they’ll pay for bulk gold, but don’t tell you that the price is much more for smaller quantities. This can leave you making a very bad deal. Ask before you make any sort of commitment.
Try saving on gold by buying some at regular intervals. It doesn’t even matter what the current gold price is. Every month or every regular period, try to buy some gold. Its price may be higher one month and lower the next, but that doesn’t matter. The consistency is what matters since its value will eventually even out and rise later on due to gold’s value going against the value of currency.
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.
Do not assume because there is no stamp that a piece of gold is not real. There are many solid gold pieces out there that are not stamped at all. Try testing the gold in question with a magnet and if it does not stick, you probably have solid gold.
When planning to purchase American Eagle gold coins, do not settle on the first price or seller you find. Instead, take advantage of a dealer location finding tool available on the website of the U.S. Mint. By identifying a variety of dealers and then researching their current prices, you can rest assured that you have gotten the very best deal possible.
Be sure about your financial goals before you make any gold investments. Gold is often used as a terrific hedge against economic turmoil and inflation, but it can be a volatile proposition. If you set limits on your exposure and know what your goals are beforehand, you have a better chance of making money.
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 shopping around for the best deal on your gold jewelry, get any offers in writing. Most companies will give you something in writing, and that offer will usually be valid for a very short period of time. You can use the written offer to negotiate a better deal at your next stop.
Gold isn’t an investment you should try and time perfectly. It’s more like wealth insurance. A good time to buy is when things are more quiet. Gold shortages are common when the economy is rough.
The most important action to take when you plan to trade on the gold market is to draft a plan. You need to set your limits, both on profit and losses, and then stick to them. Know how much you will invest and when the time is to pull out.
Take pictures of your jewelry before you let someone handle it. Be sure to find out what guarantees exist if your jewelry is stolen or lost when it is in their hands. This information can be a protection to you if you get it all down in writing.
To get the best gold prices, it pays to have your items appraised. Expect to pay for a legitimate appraisal. However, the amount you must pay for the appraisal may be considerably less than the amount you would have been cheated out of.
Buy the one ounce coins whenever possible. The American Eagle coin is among the most popular in North America and it does come in fractional sizes, like a half-ounce or quarter-ounce size. But you will pay a higher premium price for the smaller sizes, thus reducing the value of your investment. Purchasing the full one ounce coin is almost always the better deal.
Learning how to be a smart investor in gold is not hard. However, it does take full understanding of the market in order to make this profitable for you. Good investing techniques take practice and experience. Use what you have learned in this article to give yourself a good start in your gold investment.
