If you’re looking to invest in gold, then you are here to find out some information to help get you going. There are certain things that are going to be discussed within this article that can help you get the basics down. Then, as you continue planning your investments, you can sneak a little gold in there as well.
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.
You need to know what a karat is. Gold is a soft metal so it must be combined with other metals for durability. Each karat, which is 1/24 pure gold, tells you how much gold is in the alloy compared to other metals. A piece that has less than 10 karats cannot legally be called gold.
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. Whether it is jewelry or home decor related, it could be an everyday item that you have within the home. It also doesn’t have to be 100% pure gold. Even something partially gold or just gold-plated might mean money. You still stand to make a fair amount of money selling it.
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.
Some pieces of gold jewelry have values above and beyond their weight in gold. If you have antique or designer pieces of gold jewelry you’re considering selling, take them to an appraiser first before selling them for scrap value. There may be a buyer out there that wants your jewelry for its collectible value, rather than its gold value.
Be sure the buyer you are considering is licensed by the state to make gold purchases. You could still have a problem, but licensed buyers are more likely reputable. There is a lot of competition out there, so you can sell to someone else if you’re not happy with the first offer.
Know what it is you actually have. Even though the item looks like gold, it may not have much value. Many times, gold is mixed with other metals to increase its strength. This results in a price reduction. This is also true of items that are just plated. If you do not know for sure the value of your gold piece, have it appraised before presenting it for sale.
How does the seller know what the karat rating is? Many pieces of jewelry will be stamped with a karat rating. If there is no stamp, there are different ways to test the gold to ensure it is solid. Acid tests are an easy way to determine value.
When selling gold, it pays to shop around. This includes checking with several dealers both locally and nationally. To get the most bang for your buck, ask what fees will be assessed during the sale. Just because a dealer is offering to pay more per ounce, does not always equate to more money in your pocket. This extra money can be ate up by fees and commissions.
Always identify the karat value of your jewelry when you walk into the store to sell it. Some dealers will try to convince their customers that the karat value of a piece is lower than it actually is, and this results in less money in the consumer’s pocket. Have a clear understanding of your piece’s actual weight so this doesn’t happen to you.
Go into your gold selling knowing the current price of gold. This is a commodity that has a fluctuating price. Every day it’s something new. If you aren’t in the know, you could be taken advantage of by a less than reputable gold buying company. Remember, knowledge is the real power here. Go into any negotiation ready with it.
Many people find purchasing gold stocks is a wise investment for their portfolio. When stock of companies lose value, the value of gold stocks rise so this provides some protection for their long term investments. Many investment counselors are now recommending inclusion of precious metal stocks in long term retirement accounts.
There are many options available to individuals looking to purchase gold as an investment. Stocks in gold mining or gold based mutual funds are two such alternatives. For those that want to buy real gold, make sure you think about how you are going to keep the items safe.
When in doubt, get it checked out. There are some great knock-off gold pieces out there that really look like the real deal, but are infact fake. The best way to not get duped is by investing in a gold testing kit, or taking the gold piece in question to the pawn shop.
Are you ready to see gold show up in your investment portfolio? Surely after reading these tips, you see the different benefits available to you. Make sure you work towards applying what you have learned so that you can realize how gold can balance your portfolio and help you plan for retirement.
