Gold seems to speak a universal language. It does not matter what a country’s exchange rate is; gold always holds its value no matter where you go. It is no wonder that this precious metal is such a popular commodity for investors. This article will talk about some basics in smart investing in gold.
When buying gold through a private sale, always test to make sure that the gold is real. There are many pieces of jewelry that are gold plated. In order to make sure you are buying the real deal, invest in a gold testing kit. They are not expensive and can save you from buying fools gold.
Before you put down your money for gold, make sure you have a firm delivery commitment from the seller. If your seller doesn’t offer delivery immediately, you need written confirmation of when to expect your items. This should include the date the gold will arrive to you buy. Don’t go through an order without this documentation.
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.
Look at the spot price of gold before selling. This can help you discern whether you’re being offered a good price or not. Most dealers should sell according to the market, but sometimes they’ll try to scam you if they think you just want quick cash.
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.
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.
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.
When attending a gold party, watch the representative carefully. Your natural instincts are often correct. If you feel like the person is being genuine with you, they probably are. If, however, you feel like the individual is holding back a little, you may want to wait and sell your gold to someone else.
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.
Have a basic understanding of grams and pennyweight measurements when selling your gold. Some jewelers will measure in pennyweight but pay in grams, and this results in a lower payment to the seller. Avoid this by asking what measurement your jeweler is using before your pieces are ever weighed, and make sure you are paid based on that same measurement.
When selling gold, categorize it by karat weight. Keep an eye on the gold buyer because they may try and deceive you. A common trick is to weigh everything together and then give you the price for the karat that is the lowest weight. That always means less cash for you. Separate your items by karat in advance to avoid being tricked.
Don’t just bring your gold to a buyer without knowing its true value, no matter how badly you are in need of cash. Calculate the value of your items based on purity and weight so that you have a good idea what the fair market value is. Only then should you bring your gold to a dealer.
Always deal with a reputable dealer. There are many unscrupulous people out there who are in business one day and then gone the next. Ask your friends and family who they deal with and also do an online search to find out about a dealer’s reputation. This can help you avoid making a costly mistake.
The first step in buying gold bullion is to be sure you know the actual price on the day of your purchase. Gold prices change daily, so precision is important.
Experts say you should expect to pay more proportionately for a fraction of an ounce than you would for the full ounce. Among gold coins, the Kruggerrand coins from South Africa can usually be acquired at a cheaper price than the more popular American Eagle or Canadian Maple Leaf coins.
When purchasing gold for investment purposes, make sure you know the actual price per ounce of gold at the time of purchase. Hammer out the details about physical delivery before conducting any transactions. Although precious metal prices have been rising in the past few years, understand that all investments come with a certain amount of risk.
Gold will be around for a very long time as a stable option for commodities investing. To be a profitable trader, you have to understand the market behavior and be able to take the right action at the right time. By following the advice in this article, you can get started in a market that has high potential for excellent returns.
