Category Archives: Philanthropy

Top Pointers To Help You When Dealing With Gold

As the dollar’s value declines, lots of people see gold and precious metals more favorably as an investment. Gold is probably the most popular of the precious metals people invest in, and the value is increasing greatly as the value of the dollar decreases. Follow the tips presented here as you consider the advantages of investing in gold.

Before you buy gold from a dealer, get a guaranteed delivery date. It you don’t have it delivered immediately, find out when you will receive your gold. Their expected delivery date should be indicated. Complete your order only when given this information.

Knowing the current market value of gold is important prior to selling or buying it. Doing so will help you figure out if a dealer’s offer is a good one or not. Dealers often assume that people who are trying to sell gold need quick cash and will try to take advantage.

Find out what the terms are before mailing off your old, broken jewelry. Make sure you know when payment will be sent to you and insure your package as well. Take a photo of all the items you are sending so there will be no questions later.

If you are buying gold as a form of a retirement fund, make sure to buy the right kind. Your gold has to be IRS approved. They must be 24 karat bullion bars or coins. Consider bars more than coins, since they have more value.

If you are not sure of the value of your gold jewelry, you may want to get it appraised. While there is a cost involved, you will at least then be fully aware of what you own and what it is worth. Only use an independent, accredited appraiser to get the most realistic value. Do not expect to get the full value of the appraisal, but you should try finding a buyer who will give you an amount as close to the appraisal as possible.

Do not forget to search thrift shops and antique stores for hidden treasures. You can find bargains in those places when you’re aware of what you want. Many people sell or donate at these shops for low prices due to being unaware of what they own. If you know what you’re doing, this can be your benefit.

Be knowledgeable about market prices before you accept someone’s offer to buy your gold. You should see if you can figure out what people are selling pieces like yours for as well. This is a price point that you can work with. Always see if you can get a little more than they’re asking if they allow you to negotiate.

Before selling your gold, comparison shop. You might be amazed by the variety of offers received. If you stick with your first buyer, you could get a terrible deal. Invest the time into the process, and you will be rewarded in the end.

An inexpensive and simple way to see if an item is gold is with a regular household magnet. Precious metals that are true like gold aren’t going to be magnetized. Sometimes the clasp of a piece is solid, however the rest will be plated. This is a good way to test that.

Prior to investing in gold, research the current market. Not everyone who claims to be a gold expert really is. They may just be trying to trick you. However, you need to be very careful when it comes to promises about making you rich. Do not think of gold as some way to get rich quickly, and you won’t be disappointed.

Fine Print

Always read the fine print of any contract so you understand it completely. If you’re using a mail-in gold program, read all the fine print prior to committing to the deal. Doing so makes it easier to keep track of what portion of your earnings go toward fees and commissions.

There are a lot of things to think over when deciding if you’re going to invest in precious metals. While many find riches dealing in silver or platinum, others are able to reach their goals with gold. This article should have given you what you need to know about gold and investing in it.

Tips To Help You Make Money With Gold

More and more are investing in precious metals, seeing as the dollar’s value has increased. When people think of precious metal trading, gold is usually the one they are thinking of. Use the advice you read here to guide you in your gold buying.

You’ll want to know just how much your gold will be worth when selling it. If you choose to sell any gold, keep in mind that pieces that have different karat values need to be valued and weighed separately. Don’t sell jewelry that has an increased value because of the design or the creator.

Why not make money selling your gold to online buyers? Gold dealing is no longer something that takes a brick and mortar store. There are plenty of websites that are ready and willing to buy your gold. You will receive a kit that will allow you to mail your gold items off. They end up paying you once they receive it, but they usually won’t pay you a lot.

You can get into the gold market with just a small investment in scrap gold. This can accumulate over time, and you can see how this can make a valuable investment. Store it in a safe hiding spot until you have accumulated enough to cash in.

If you are purchasing gold jewelry for another person, you must be certain about the return policy. You need a guarantee on any gold you buy. This is a huge problem.

Whenever you’re looking at selling scrap jewelry or gold it is best to explore many different companies to know the offers are legitimate. Prices paid will vary from shop to shop. Stores located apart from larger shopping centers may have fewer fixed costs and are thus, able to pay higher prices.

Remember to look for gold in thrift and antique shops. Many of these places offer great finds in gold at a cheap price if dig deep enough. Lots of people sell their items here for low prices, because they are not aware of the value. Your knowledge will help you get the better end of the deal.

A quick and inexpensive way to test a piece of gold or precious metal to see if it is real, is by using a magnet. Precious metals that are true like gold aren’t going to be magnetized. Check the clasp separately from a chain. A magnet can help test jewelry quickly.

Karat Rating

How does the seller know what the karat rating is? Many pieces of jewelry will be stamped with a karat rating. However, if there are no visual indications, there are other ways to determine purity. If you see the gold buyer performing an acid test, this is probably somebody who is inexperienced in this market.

Have all jewelry appraised before selling it as scrap gold. This is true for pieces made with fine craftsmanship. Although you may be charged a fee for the appraisal, it may earn you more money in the long run. An appraiser may know someone who will give you a good price for your jewelry items.

Read each form thoroughly when meeting a gold dealer. The gold market is one filled with money. Like anything else, you should understand what you are signing. If you don’t like the terms, be prepared to move on. You absolutely must protect yourself financially.

Investing in gold has significant profit potential, but it’s not for the faint of heart. If you do not have the stomach for quick jumps up and down, stay away. If you are up to the challenge, you ought to minimize risk just the same. Invest only a tiny percentage of your portfolio in gold. A good limit is five percent.

Establish some goals before deciding what kind of investment is best for you. Although gold can add a nice balance to your portfolio in case of rough economic times, it is still considered an investment that fluctuates wildly. If you limit your risk and have set goals, you are more likely to profit.

Precious Metals

There are various strategies involved when investing in gold and the other precious metals. A lot of people like coins or bullion, and other people love buying stocks in precious metals. This article delved into the different strategies used for investing.

Great Tips On Gold: Buying And Selling

Many people are moving investments from stocks and bonds to precious metals. Gold is a precious metal that is very popular for investors to get behind, and this is something that becomes more valuable with time. Read these tips to make the most out of what gold can do for you.

Do not sell your gold without first knowing what it is currently worth. If you choose to sell gold items, those with differing karat designations ought to be weighed on their own. Remember that jewelry will sell at its melt value, not the price the jeweler wants for it.

Never deal with a gold buyer or seller who does not have a favorable reputation. Use resources like the Better Business Bureau and customer reviews. Good customer service and fair market prices are good indicators of reputable buyers. You should do this to better protect your gold investment and yourself.

When selling jewelry, it is important to decide whether it will be sold as jewelry or as gold. Private sellers and pawn shops tend to only pay for melt value. Selling your unique gold pieces to a collector can end up netting you more money.

Use GoldMoney if you are interested in buying gold. It’s like opening a bank account, but for gold. Set up the account, deposit some funds, and you get gold at the price that correlates to the account. The gold rests in the bank where you can trade it for cash, portion it out, or redeem the gold for bullion bars.

Complaints Filed

Get to know any dealer you’re going to buy gold from. Call the Better Business Bureau to make sure dealers are reputable. If you contact the BBB, they will tell you if the dealer has complaints filed against them. If the dealer does have complaints filed against them, look for another dealer.

If you just want to off-load your gold, you should pause. The price of gold fluctuates, which is currently at its record high; eventually it will become an even higher price. You may be able to sell your gold for even more later if you hold onto it now.

Gold prices have increased by over 400 percent in the last decade which is good if you own gold. Nobody really knows when the best time to purchase gold is, as it mainly relies on the price of the dollar. The weaker the dollar, the stronger the gold price.

IF you want to be a good gold investor, find out how you can test the grade. The purity of gold is measured by the karat. A higher number indicates a higher degree of purity and, therefore, a higher price. The stamp on the gold is not always accurate. If you know how to test gold’s purity, you will never be overcharged.

Gather information about any gold dealer you are considering selling to. This is vital if you’re working with a mail-in company that is from another state. Reputable dealers will on file with the BBB and have few to no complaints.

If you want to start investing in gold, then you need to know that there are many good strategies. Some individuals invest in physical gold, like coins, bullion and jewelry. There are some, however, that just deal with stocks or mutual funds. The article above has great information on how to deal with gold.

Hard Time Understanding The World Of Gold? Check Out These Tips!

Over the past few years, the price of gold has shot up even as other investment opportunities have stumbled. Savvy investors have taken careful note of this fact, and interest in gold investing is at an all-time high now. To do well in gold trading, it is vital that you do your homework first. Continue on to begin your path towards understanding the gold market.

Be aware of the going rate of gold before you sell you gold items. This will indicate whether you’re getting a fair price or not. Many gold dealers will pay market value; however, some dealers try to get your gold cheap.

When you buy gold jewelry as a gift, be sure to understand the return policy and get a gift receipt. It is impossible to tell if a jewelry item will be well liked or suitable. Because of this, it is critical that you are able to bring the piece back to obtain a refund.

Realize that any piece that contains gold can be sold to a buyer. This could be jewelry pieces which are broken, home decor, tableware or any other gold items you have around. It need not be completely pure, either. Plated gold will do. It’s still possible to make money this way.

Whenever you’re looking at selling scrap jewelry or gold it is best to explore many different companies to know the offers are legitimate. Many stores will charge a higher rate than the posted spot rate for gold. This is because they must take into consideration their overhead and commissions when purchasing gold.

Spot Price

On the day you are planning to buy your gold, check the spot price. Many sites offer this information, plus it changes every day. You shouldn’t pay more than 8 percent over the spot price. Some sellers try charging more, but that’s overcharging, which is generally unethical.

Use a magnet to quickly determine whether an item is really made of gold or another precious metal. If it is a true precious metal, it will not adhere to the magnet. Sometimes, the only thing real about a piece of gold jewelry is the clasp. A magnet is an easy way to test.

Before you sell your jewelry as scrap gold, have it appraised. This tends to be true for pieces that have intricate workmanship and details. An appraiser will charge you a nominal fee, but it is an expense worth paying if your piece is unique and valuable. An appraiser may know someone who will give you a good price for your jewelry items.

You can make gold investments in ways other than actually having physical possession of gold. You could buy stocks in a mining company or shares in a gold ETF. Before you buy bars and coins, you must also consider how much it will cost to store your gold.

Before you try to sell any gold items, you’ll need to separate the pieces depending on the karat weight. The buyer will doubtless weigh all of your pieces before setting a price for them, and if you aren’t attentive you may see everything lumped together and weighed with the lowest-karat pieces. They will rip you off. Present the buyer with different piles of gold so you can get a good price for your gold.

Never sell your gold simply to sell it. Gold tends to increase in price, so waiting may yield even greater profits. If you’re able to keep your gold, then you may be able to get more benefits from it later on.

Karat Values

When selling gold, separate it into groups with different karat values. Gold values vary based on karat weight, so lumping different weights together will result in a reduction in the price received. Higher karat values yield higher prices.

Now more than ever, investors from all walks of life look to gold as a safe way to protect and grow their financial assets. Maybe you want to learn more. You can make a successful investment by following the tips you just read and doing more research on gold investments.

Hone Your Gold Knowledge By Using This Expert Advice

If you have decided that you want to profit from gold, you have an admirable goal. That said, you need to understand the market and the options available to you. Keep reading for the best gold information on the Internet.

If you are selling gold then shop around to get an idea of what its true value is from different companies. Gold buyers include all types of businesses ranging from jewelers to online companies. Nearly every one has different profit levels that they must maintain. By getting multiple estimates, you can be assured that you will get a fair price when you sell.

Changes in the current price of gold will affect the price you will get. When selling gold, be sure that items of differing karat values are weighed separately. Because the jewelry you sell will be melted down, keep pieces that are more valuable because of the designer name.

Gold Jewelry

Save your money to buy higher quality gold and avoid gold-filled and gold-plated pieces. You still can get gold jewelry items without spending a lot at a local jewelry store. You can get gold jewelry cheaper online or in pawn shops.

Before you mail any jewelry to a particular company which purchases such items, be sure to do your homework and check out the company thoroughly before you do so. You should be clear about when you can expect to be paid. Insuring your gold shipment is a good idea, too. Take a photo of all the items you are sending so there will be no questions later.

Be aware that any items containing gold can be sold to someone dealing in gold. Don’t overlook flatware, watches, jewelry and even broken pieces as potential sources of profit. Having 100% gold isn’t required, either. Items that are gold plated or filled are also valuable. It’s still possible to make money this way.

If you plan to mail your jewelry, be sure that you find out how much the return postage will cost if the price offered you is too low. The majority of companies pay for you to send the jewelry to them, but they charge high fees to return it to you. Realize in advance that you’re out money to get back your jewelry.

Only make a sale to buyers who hold a state license in buying gold. They are likely to be honest. There are plenty of buyers for gold, so do not think that you must make a sale to the first buyer that you meet.

Buying gold can exciting, but keep that to yourself. You can never really know who is listening, nor who you are able to trust. Play your cards close to your chest and keep your gold in a home safe or a safety deposit box at your bank. This will keep you and your gold protected under any circumstances.

Enter the market carefully. Several markets have bad companies, but gold is notorious for containing many. A lot of companies and individuals trading in gold rely on taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers in order to increase their profits. Therefore, it is important to proceed with caution and research each company carefully.

Have your pieces appraised before you sell them as scrap gold. You should do this for special pieces. Unique pieces may be worth more intact than they would if eventually melted down. Although you will probably have to pay for an appraisal, you might find you have something worth a lot more than you thought. A professional appraiser can also point you towards potential buyers for high-quality gold jewelry.

Hopefully, you now can see the value gold has in your portfolio. It can keep your whole portfolio in balance. Use the fantastic advice in this article to help you make wise investments in the gold market.

Let Your Portfolio Shine With These Gold Tips

Nowadays it seems like more and more people are interested in buying and selling their gold. This could be because of the tough economic times that people are having to work with. Unfortunately, not enough potential gold investors understand the market well enough to make sound decisions. Keep reading to learn how to make the gold markets work in your favor.

Get your gold valued by multiple sources. There are many places where you can buy and sell gold, and they all use different metrics to decide on price. When you have several estimates, you’ll have a better idea of what fair market value is.

When you sell gold, deal with a reliable buyer. Check with the BBB and look at reviews online before you sell your gold to a buyer. A legitimate buyer will pay you fairly for your gold while giving you great customer service. Protect your gold investment and yourself.

Research a gold buyer before selling your gold. Look for online reviews and check the BBB website for complaints and resolutions. Ensure you receive the maximum amount for your gold by shopping around.

Before buying from a gold seller, schedule a timely delivery. It you don’t have it delivered immediately, find out when you will receive your gold. This should be spelled out in no uncertain terms. Only make the order if you have such a document.

Do your research and know what the latest gold price is before you sell your jewelry. This will indicate whether you’re getting a fair 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.

Get an appraisal if you have no idea what value your gold holds. Although you’re spending some money up front, at least you’re getting fair market value for your items. Find a reputable appraiser, however, to visit. Also keep in mind you usually won’t get the full value if you do decide to sell the gold.

Check the price when you are buying gold. This price changes every day. You can locate it on several different websites. Never pay more than 8 percent over the current sales price of gold. There are dealers who attempt to charge a higher amount, but they are unethical and simply overcharging.

Before you ship gold jewelry to a buying service, find out whether you will be charged for return shipping. If you are not satisfied with the offer, you will have to pay this amount. Many companies offer free shipping but charge more for mailing items back. Know what this cost is before you mail your items.

Get a good grasp on what you own. Appearance alone is not an accurate gauge of the value of your gold. Many times, other metals get mixed with gold for more durability. This will lower it’s worth. This also applies to gold plated items. Get your items appraised before selling your gold.

Do your homework about the market value of gold before you sell. Try to compare what similar sized pieces are selling for. This is a price point that you can work with. Always ask a little above what you want so there is room for negotiation.

Many people don’t know that a magnet can be used to test whether something is made of gold or some other type of metal that is precious. Precious metals, such as gold, are not magnetic. The clasp may be solid gold, but it’s possible that the piece is almost entirely gold-plated. Using a magnet is an excellent way to find this out.

Everyone wants to profit from gold. All too often, though, people don’t have sufficient knowledge to successfully invest in gold. We hope that this article has given you plenty of information for successful gold trading.

Are You A Gold Lover? Read This

Often people feel that gold is a safe investment. Many say that gold is a good investment in uncertain times. For more gold information, read the following piece.

Get your gold valued by multiple sources. Gold buyers include all types of businesses ranging from jewelers to online companies. Nearly every one has different profit levels that they must maintain. You should get your gold appraised by a professional and compare prices offered by different buyers.

When you purchase gold, it’s important to set a fairly stringent schedule for delivery of your metal. When the seller doesn’t ship immediately, you must get their promise to ship in writing. The expected delivery date should be noted somewhere. Don’t order anything without this document.

If you are buying gold as a form of a retirement fund, make sure to buy the right kind. You must have IRS approved gold. You want to make sure you buy 24 karat coins or bullion bars. Bars typically are more valuable than coins are.

Get an appraisal if you have no idea what value your gold holds. It costs a bit of money, but you’ll have a good idea of what your gold is worth. In order to have it valued most accurately, go with an appraiser who is accredited and independent. When you sell, you won’t get the whole appraisal value, though.

You can sell anything that contains gold to gold dealers. It may consist of decorative items, gold table ware, old items of jewelry and so on. Mixed metal items can be sold as well. It could just have a tiny amount of gold or be gold plated. You can still get a good return on the sale.

Make sure that you know the current market value of your gold before selling it. You can find this on a variety of websites, and it can change daily. Never buy something listed at more than ten percent of the spot price. Knowing the value of your gold will keep you from getting ripped off.

Buy Gold

Don’t sell to entities that are not licensed by the state to buy gold. They are likely to be honest. There are a lot of stores and individuals that will buy gold, so don’t feel like you have to sell to the first person you come across.

Sort your gold by how many karats it is. Weighing the items separately ensures you get the true value its worth, but some sellers won’t do this. You will walk away with less money. Separating the gold before you go prevents this from happening.

Break up your gold into karat values when you intend to sell it. Gold values differ by karat, so if they are weighed together you will not get all it is worth. You will get more for higher karats.

Research each buyer carefully to ensure a good deal. This is critical if you are looking into a mail-away type service with a buyer in another state or community. Companies purchasing gold are generally listed with the BBB. You are able to see any complaints filed here.

Ask about the buyback policies of the dealer you are considering. Some gold buyers charge a premium to resell your gold while others do not. Consider whether having to ship bulky gold items to a given destination is worth it or not. For your own safety, never take the risk of having the dealer store the gold you buy.

Gold Coins

If you are interested in purchasing gold, keep an eye out for gold coins made in the United States prior to the 30s. Before 1933, gold coins were circulated throughout America. However, President Roosevelt recalled gold coins. Many people kept these coins anyways and they are available to buy.

It is easy to invest in gold when you understand the gold market. Now that you have read these great tips about gold, nothing should prevent you from participating in this market. Use this information to invest wisely.

Make Money In Gold With These Nuggets Of Knowledge

If you are a serious investor, then you need to know the basics about gold investment. Having diversity is important, and you can get a portfolio balanced with gold. How do you start? There are many options available to you, and it can become frustrating. Read on to learn more about the basics of investing in gold.

Research several gold buyers and compare them to obtain the best price for your gold. You can always find online reviews, inquire with the BBB and learn how each vendor handles complaints. By getting bids from several different gold buyers, you will be more likely to get top dollar for your gold.

Before you buy gold from a dealer, get a guaranteed delivery date. If your seller doesn’t give you an immediate deliver, get it in writing confirming when you are to expect your piece. The date on which you can expect to receive the items should be provided. Only complete the order if given this documentation.

If you don’t have much money to invest in gold, you could start by purchasing scrap jewelry pieces. Do this regularly over a certain length of time, and in 12 months or so, you would have accumulated a good amount. Protect your gold until you can sell it.

When purchasing a piece of gold jewelry for someone else, be sure there is a return policy. What if it doesn’t fit? In those cases, you should return the jewelry for a refund.

Why not get your gold jewelry appraised if you are not too sure about its current value? Paying a professional to appraise your item is a good investment. Find a reputable appraiser, however, to visit. If you continue with your plan to sell, do be aware that you won’t receive the price the piece has been appraised at.

The day that you plan on buying gold, check its spot price. You can see it on various sites and it usually changes every day. When you buy, don’t pay over 8% markup over the price. If you find a dealer asking for more than 8%, they’re overcharging and may not be ethical.

When you attempt to sell gold, make sure you know the current market prices. Look around to understand what people are asking for similar pieces. In this way, you will have a good idea of how to price your gold. Always ask for more than what you want, because this will leave some room to negotiate.

Speak with the representative at the gold party to find out how they determine how many karats a piece of jewelry is. In most cases, gold will be stamped with the karat it is made with. However, at other times, there is no stamp, so a lot of reps use other ways to find out. Acid testing is a very simple way to asses karat quality. If you see this method being employed, it’s possible that the tester is a relative newcomer.

Very often earring backs are made from gold even when the earring itself is not. Necklace clasps and ring bands are frequently real gold too. You can sell these small pieces together. This is a bunch of different gold pieces in quantity and can help you to get more money for them.

When you know the right information for gold investments, you can better negotiate your options and better understand the entire process. Now you have the knowledge necessary to make better decisions. Do more research on gold and different ways to invest before making any important decisions.

Use These Ideas And Increase Your Gold Knowledge Today!

Investing in gold is a great choice. Still, you have to be knowledgeable about all the options available to you. Keep reading to see why gold is a valuable and great investment strategy.

Reputable Buyers

Only sell to reputable buyers. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints filed against a gold dealer. A reputable buyer will typically pay you a fair price for your gold, and they will offer better customer service than less reputable buyers. You have to protect your investment as well as yourself.

You might be shocked by how much gold costs these days. However, it’s still possible to buy gold jewelry and not need to spend a fortune at the jewelry store. There is cheaper gold jewelry at pawn shops or online.

Make sure you verify the price of gold the same day you plan to buy it. This information is available on a number of websites. When you do buy, avoid more than an 8% markup. If you find a dealer asking for more than 8%, they’re overcharging and may not be ethical.

Be careful before getting involved in the gold market. Every marketplace has bad apples, but the gold arena is renown for possessing quite a few. Many people want to keep the money you are owed for themselves. You need to exercise caution and do your research.

To verify that a particular piece of jewelry isn’t simply plated, you can try testing it yourself with a magnet. Real precious metals do not stick to magnets. Sometimes you’ll find a clasp to be something solid, but everything else is plated. You can test your jewelry this way.

When at a gold party, talk with the rep about how they make the determination on the karats of the jewelry being sold. Often, the item will be stamped. Other times, there is no way of knowing. Acid tests are an easy way to determine value.

Always read the fine print of any contract so you understand it completely. You need to know what you’re getting into if you’re using a mail-in purchasing service to sell gold. This way, you will know the exact amount of the fees and commissions you will be paying.

Have all jewelry appraised before selling it as scrap gold. Appraisal can be especially important with potentially-valuable pieces that may have more worth as jewelry than simply as bullion. Even though there is an appraisal fee, you could see a lot of extra money in your pocket. Appraisers might be aware of someone that wants to purchase your jewelry.

Physical Bars

You don’t actually have to own physical bars, coins or jewelry to profit from gold. You can put your money in a gold exchange traded fund. You also buy stock in a gold mining company. There are also mutual funds that focus on gold. If you decide to buy physical bars or coins, remember to consider how much it costs to store the gold securely.

Acquiring broken jewelry from a loved one is a great way to get gold at a wonderful price. Buy your own little scale, weigh each piece and give people a fair price for their items. You should make a profit in the end as well.

With any luck, you know believe that gold is for you. It serves as a bridge between your cash assets and your equities. Discover the greatness of gold as an investment, and appreciate the variety of risk levels available.

The Top Gold Information You Should Know About

If you have wanted to make a gold investment before but have not done so, you are in the right place. There isn’t a reason to get intimidated by gold; you should know that by learning about it, it’s easy to deal with. There are many perks to investing and dealing with gold if you know what to look for.

When you invest in gold, it is a good idea to go with buillon bars. There are numerous sizes available. From .5 ounces to 400 ounces, the choice is yours. However, the really big bars are very hard to come by.

Go with a legit buyer if you’re selling gold. Get with the Better Business Bureau or check out reviews online if you’d like to learn about someone’s business. Good customer service and fair market prices are good indicators of reputable buyers. Do your homework in order to safeguard both you and your financial investment.

If the gold price is not to your liking, perhaps going with gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry is something to consider. Before settling for a gold plated piece, understand that there are great deals out there on solid gold jewelry. Try visiting a pawn shop or looking online instead.

If you are looking to gold as a retirement vehicle, be certain you invest in the proper kinds of gold. Your gold has to be IRS approved. This means it needs to be in the form of coins or bullion that is marked 24 karats. Over time, gold bars appreciate better than gold coins.

Spot Price

Be sure to consult the spot price on the day when you plan to purchase gold. The spot price can be found in many places, and it tends to fluctuate often. When you buy, don’t pay over 8% markup over the price. If you find a dealer asking for more than 8%, they’re overcharging and may not be ethical.

As exciting as buying gold can be, avoid telling people about it. You really don’t know who can be trusted when it comes to your investments. Keep it to yourself and protected, either with a decent home safe or in a bank. This protects you as well as your gold.

Have all jewelry appraised before selling it as scrap gold. Fine details and other clear signs of craftsmanship may result in a piece’s value being worth more than just the value of the gold itself. A proper appraisal may cost money, but it can definitely be worth the expense with valuable pieces that may have resale value. A credible appraiser can probably connect you with someone who is likely to be highly interested in what you have to offer.

Sort your gold by karats into groups if your are planning on selling it. Gold values differ by karat, so if they are weighed together you will not get all it is worth. Gold with higher karat value is worth more money.

Gold Prices

Gold prices have increased by over 400 percent in the last decade which is good if you own gold. The changes in currency value affect the value of gold. In general, when the dollar is weaker, gold prices tend to rise.

Learn how to verify the quality of gold pieces. The purity of gold is measured by karat. Gold’s value by weight increases with its purity, and purer gold receives a higher karat rating. Never go by the stamp stating karat weight. You won’t pay too much for poor quality when you know the methods to testing gold purity.

If your gold pieces are going get melted down, you probably have the option of retaining any small gems currently in them. The seller may not be able to remove them easily if the gems are small, though. Most dealers are not interested in very small gems, as they hold no value when a piece is melted down.

You should understand you will not get 100% of the value of your gold when selling. A gold dealer must make a profit just as any other business must. They must make money, so there needs to be some room in that purchase price for doing so. When selling your gold expect to get between 50 and 70 percent of its value.

Now you have the knowledge you need to start off on the right foot. The ideas presented here can get you started in gold investment. You will be glad you did.