Category Archives: Philanthropy

Gold 101: Tips And Advice For Buying And Selling

No one can deny that gold’s popularity has surged since the Great Recession started. Many people are choosing to invest in gold, but doing so successfully requires a certain level of knowledge. The following information will help you receive the most bang for your buck when it comes to gold.

Schedule for a proper delivery before buying gold from any seller. Be sure you have your delivery date in writing. Immediate delivery is best. You should be provided with the estimated date of delivery. If you cannot get this document, do not complete your order.

Before going to sell your jewelry, investigate what the current market price of gold is. This will help you set a fair price when you sell or buy. Dealers will charge you a premium on top of market value so they can make some money too.

Get your jewelry appraised. The small investment required will ensure you get what your jewelry is worth. Make sure you go to an accredited and reliable appraiser to get valid appraisal papers. Understand that you probably will not get the full appraisal price when you sell your gold.

Understand that any item containing gold carries value with gold dealers. This could be tableware, broken jewelry, and other stuff you have around your house. In fact, a gold piece doesn’t have to be 100-percent gold to be worth something. 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.

Melt Value

When selling gold, you must decide whether you’re selling a piece for its melt value or just jewelry. If you are selling to pawn shops or most private sellers, expect them to offer the melt value. Don’t lose faith; there is always someone willing to buy the item as an entire piece.

When considering mailing your gold away for sale, be certain you know how much return mail will cost should you change your mind. A lot of companies say they’ll let you ship for free, but to get things back they charge quite a bit. By knowing this information ahead of time, you can prevent unnecessary charges.

Approach the market with caution. The gold market has more than its share of disreputable dealers. Lots of people will scam you if given the chance. Doing a good amount of research will ensure that you are getting the very best deal.

Ask what method is used to determine the purity or karats of your jewelry. Quite often, the gold will be stamped. However, at other times, there is no stamp, so a lot of reps use other ways to find out. Dealers using an acid test may be newcomers, as this is a very basic test.

Be sure to do your homework about current gold values prior to any investment decision or action. Some people will make false claims to try and get you to invest. But, beware of over the top promises about getting wealthy. Avoid the thought of gold as a get-rich-quick scheme, and you will not be led into false expectations.

You can invest in gold without collecting it. Buy shares in traded or mutual gold funds or invest in some gold mining stocks. If you’re buying bars or gold coins, think about the cost storage when making your purchase.

Gold’s importance and popularity has reached impressive new highs in the aftermath of the financial collapse recently experienced worldwide. When armed with the appropriate information, investors from all walks of life can safely invest in gold as a solid source of investment. Use the information shared here to make the most of any future gold investments.

Hone Your Gold Knowledge By Using This Expert Advice

Gold investments can be a safe harbor in choppy financial waters. Perhaps you are a person who has daydreamed about investing in gold, but doesn’t actually know where to begin? If this is true, then this is the best place for you to be. This article contains great advice for people who want to invest in gold.

You may shy away due to gold’s price, which may make you go for gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry instead. You can still buy gold jewelry without spending too much at the jewelry store. Online auctions, estate sales and pawn shops are only some of your options.

Gold Jewelry

When you buy some gold jewelry for another person, make sure they have a refund policy. It’s almost impossible to determine the value of your gold jewelry just by looking at it. It’s always a good idea to be able to get your money back on a jewelry purchase if it doesn’t work out for you.

If you take jewelry or scrap gold to local companies that will pay for it, shop around. Even the market “spot” price of gold is a national standard at any given moment, not all stores pay it. Stores not inside major shopping malls might have lower rent and overhead, and so can pay you more.

You should rely primarily on independent, personal research to learn about the market for gold before investing in it. There are those who say they’re market gurus and want you to invest with them. However, you need to be very careful when it comes to promises about making you rich. You will not get rich quick with gold. It is a long term investment.

Have all jewelry appraised before selling it as scrap gold. This is especially true for one-of-a-kind pieces like jewelry with intricate details and workmanship. Although you will probably have to pay for an appraisal, you might find you have something worth a lot more than you thought. Appraisers might be aware of parties interested in your jewelry.

Solid Gold

Sometimes an item will have solid gold backing; although, the jewelry is not solid gold. Quite often, necklace clasps and ring bands are real too. These pieces don’t weigh much, so try selling them all as a “lot.” Selling lightweight gold in a lot will increase your chances of selling them.

There are many different companies that you can mail your gold into. Sellers often like the simplicity of this process. You are given an envelope that is prepaid and you pack your jewelry into it. After a while, a check comes to you. However, you have to remember that you’re not going to get the most from your gold this way. In a few cases you might get 30% less for a piece, so know that.

Gold investing isn’t only for expert investors, it can be a great option for anyone who wants to store their money somewhere safe. Now that you know a little about what you are doing, you can feel good about making a transaction in the gold market. Remember all the tips here to help you along the way.

Gold Information You Will Not Find Elsewhere

What would you say if I told you an investment in gold could provide you with the answer to all of your prayers? With the best advice, you can acquire enough money for your retirement fund. The following article will give you professional tips.

It is important to invest in the right type of gold when doing so for your retirement. You must have IRS approved gold. They have to be 24 karat coins or bullion bars. The bars are a better buy than the coins are because they are more likely to retain their value.

Realize that any piece that contains gold can be sold to a buyer. It could be a broken jewelry item, table settings, home decor items or anything that is in the house. Even things that are not pure gold can have value. Items that are partially constructed of gold or even gold plated are acceptable. You may still get a little of your initial outlay back.

Be sure to select carefully when considering taking your gold to a pawn shop or jeweler for sale. You cannot count on these stores to pay the national standard of the day. Stores that are not near shopping malls may have lower overhead and are able to pay more.

You might sell gold melted down or as a jewelry item. Private sellers and pawn shops tend to only pay for melt value. Don’t give up; eventually, the right buyer will come your way.

Thrift Shops

Do not forget to search thrift shops and antique stores for hidden treasures. If you understand what to look for, you really can find some great deals. A lot of people give these items to thrift shops or antique markets because they aren’t aware of their true value. If you know what you’re doing, this can be your benefit.

Speak with professionals to learn different strategies to find the karat value of gold. Sometimes there is a stamp. However, if there are no visual indications, there are other ways to determine purity. Using an acid test can be a great way to determine the karat of the gold.

You don’t actually have to own physical bars, coins or jewelry to profit from gold. You can buy gold shares in an ETF, a mutual fund with a focus on gold, or in gold mining equities. If you choose to purchase actual coins or bars, take into account the cost of secure storage of your gold.

If you want to sell your gold, you should divide it in different lots in function of the karat weight. This will ensure that you are paid correctly; otherwise, a dealer may try to pay you using the lower karat weight values. You will walk away with less money. Separate and weigh your gold so you know the true value before selling.

You can often find a good price on gold by purchasing old gold jewelry from relatives. Buy a jewelry scale, see how much the gold weighs, and offer 5 percent more than they would get on the open market. You’ll still come out ahead.

You may not become rich overnight, but the advice from this article will let you steadily increase your profits. By setting gradual benchmarks that you work towards each day, your profits will start growing at a respectable pace. Being patient will help you find more success, so avoid rushing things.

Getting Your Gold To Work For You

The gold market has seen an amazing boost in interest since the financial meltdown. Perhaps you wish to have a greater involvement in the gold market but need to learn more. Keep reading in order to rectify that situation today.

Be sure to find a reputable gold buyer to do business with. Check the reputation using the BBB and online reviews. If you are being offered good customer service and an honest price for the gold, then you are dealing with a reputable buyer. Doing this protects your investment.

Anything that contains gold can be sold. Old or broken jewelry, old coins and tableware are just some of the things that may contain gold, An item need not be made purely of gold. Items with partial gold content, gold plating, or gold mixtures may still be valuable. You can still turn a profit on these pieces.

You could also use GoldMoney to buy gold. This service is similar to a bank account that holds deposits in bullion rather than currency. All you do is set up the account, deposit funds, and then you are assigned gold to your account. The gold remains in the bank until you sell it.

If you are selling gold pieces you own, keep pieces of different karats separated. Once you get to the gold buying shop, the merchant may attempt to dupe you by grouping everything together and treating it as though it had the minimum karat weight of the bunch. This is a scam that will cost you money. Be safe and maximize your value by having all the gold separated before dealing with the buyer.

A choice many people use when selling gold is to ship it through the mail. This is an easy way to get the job done. You get a mailer that is prepaid, place jewelry inside and send it, and you get a check. With the extra expense and the tendency of these companies to pay lower premiums, your profits may be deleted quickly. In certain instances, you might get roughly 30 percent less on the item, so stand guard.

Be wary of selling your gold unless you really need to. Just because the price is higher than ever doesn’t mean it won’t go even higher, since gold is something tends to continually increase in value. The longer you hang on to your gold, the more you’ll make from it in the future.

Make sure you have separated gold as far as karats when you are figuring out your investments. The value of each item is determined in part by karat value. Combining all types in a single package makes it less likely that you will be paid the optimal amount. The higher the gold content, the better the price.

The price of gold has increased 400 percent over the past 10 years, and that is great for gold owners. No one knows whether it is smart to invest in gold right now or not, though. The weaker the dollar is, the stronger gold prices are.

Don’t unload your gold to an Internet buyer without taking a careful look at the current prices. Many times there is a local dealer in your area that offers a much better price. Sure, doing it by mail is super convenient, but it could also be super costly.

As with the majority of investments, gold investments are best entered into with a long-term expectation. You can’t just buy when prices are high. You should actually wait until prices drop to make a smart investment. Ignoring the market when buying gold will give you a better price overall.

If you are new to gold investing, keep it simple. You should steer clear of gold futures and the likes. Investing in futures is extremely unpredictable and risky. You stand to lose a great deal if you lack sufficient knowledge. Let complicated investments be handled by those with experience.

Since the world has fallen into unstable financial waters, gold has become an increasingly popular investment. It’s best to understand how selling and buying gold works. Take the tips above to heart, and see what you can do with the information to improve your own circumstances.

Wondering What All The Fuss Over Gold Is All About? Check Out This Advice Today!

As a result of the recent financial challenges around the world, the gold market has become very popular among investors. You may wish to use gold as a kind of safeguard for your investments. Continue reading so that you can remedy that situation.

It is always a smart idea to have more than one appraisal when you are considering selling gold. Gold buyers and jewelry stores are out to make a profit, so they’ll all pay less than the actual value of the gold you’re selling. Therefore, it is wise to get several offers to ensure the best price.

Prior to buying or selling any gold, be sure you truly understand how gold pricing works. The values of precious metals fluctuate daily, so be certain you know the spot price before any transaction. A higher percentage over the melt should be expected when purchasing fractional gold pieces such as 1/2 or a 1/4th ounce against a one ounce piece.

You must be sure to purchase the right type of gold if you hope to rely on it in your golden years. Gold needs to be IRS-approved. This means it needs to be in the form of coins or bullion that is marked 24 karats. The bars are a better buy than the coins are because they are more likely to retain their value.

If you have no idea what your gold might be worth, than an appraisal is a good idea. This adds an up-front cost, but it could save you a lot of money later. Only use an independent, accredited appraiser to get the most realistic value. Remember, though, that you won’t get the appraiser’s price for your gold.

If you’re using a mail-order gold buying service, make sure you understand any return postage fees you’ll need to pay if you decline their offer. A lot of buyers offer free shipping but will charge you a lot to send the item back. Understand what you will have to pay if you don’t like their offer. Protect yourself.

Think about GoldMoney and other such services when you want to buy gold. It’s like opening a bank account, but for gold. All you do is set up the account, deposit funds, and then you are assigned gold to your account. Instead of keeping up with the gold in your own home, it is stored in a secure bank vault. You can cash it out, divide it, or redeem it.

Know what it is you actually have. Just because something looks like gold doesn’t mean it is worth gold’s weight. Other metals are often mixed with gold in order to provide strength. This can lower the price. Items that are just plated in gold can also be affected. If you don’t know how much your gold is worth, then it would be wise for someone to appraise its worth if you intend on selling it.

Frequently, earring backs are made of solid gold. This is the case even when the earring is not made of pure gold. Necklace clasps and ring bands often are too. They don’t weigh too much so you may want to sell them all together. This is a bunch of different gold pieces in quantity and can help you to get more money for them.

Before you consider selling your gold, check the BBB.org website. The BBB has information about each business including any complaints or reviews from others who have used their services. Look closely at complaints to find out whether or not they were satisfactorily resolved. If you see many complaints, then you need to find another business.

The gold market is really on an upswing these days. Knowing how gold selling and buying works is a great way to learn about how you can make the most money. Take the tips above to heart, and see what you can do with the information to improve your own circumstances.

Get Started In Gold With These Great Tips

Even though gold prices fluctuate over time, you can normally count on them to rise. There is always going to be buyers for gold. Frequently hard times accompany a rise in the price of gold. Learn about leveraging this market for yourself below.

Knowing the current market value of gold is important prior to selling or buying it. This way, you’ll know whether you’re really being offered a fair price. Although there are many honest gold dealers out there, there are also those who will try to offer you much less than it is worth.

When you decide on buying gold the first thing to do is look at the spot price. This information can be found on several different websites. When you actually make your purchase, refuse to pay more than 8 percent more than this price. Knowing the value of your gold will keep you from getting ripped off.

If you go to a gold party, talk to the person who organizes it to figure out how they calculate the value of the gold sold. Frequently, the gold piece will have a stamp on it. However, you may see no sign at all but there are ways to determine its value. Acid tests are simple ways to do this, so if the rep does this, they’re probably new to the business.

Make sure to conduct independent research prior to investing any money. Some people swear they’re market experts and attempt to get you to invest with them. Be skeptical of “get rich” schemes. Don’t think of gold as easy money, and you can avoid fake claims.

Before you buy gold, know the dealer. To find a reputable dealer that sells gold, call the local BBB. That way, you can learn about any complaints made about the company. Upon learning of numerous complaints, it’s best to look elsewhere for services.

Purchase Gold

It’s wise to buy gold when you have a lengthy time horizon. So, don’t just purchase gold in times when it is high in value. Don’t buy anything when the prices are up. But if you purchase gold consistently, you’ll find that the price evens out over time.

You may get great deals by purchasing gold from individuals. You also need to understand the risk associated with this method of purchasing. It’s a good idea to get an appraisal for coins first. Sometimes this impossible with a fast seller. In that case, use your best judgement if you think the deal is a good one.

Pre-1933 gold coins are a great investment. 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.

You won’t be able to get full melt value for your gold. Gold dealers are in business just like other businesses. They are in it to make money, so they need room in the purchase price to do just that. You should expect to receive between 50 and 70 percent of the value of your gold.

I’m sure you already know the value our financial system places on gold. This means that to take charge of this ever-fluctuating commodity, you must understand it, know how to capitalize on it, and secure your financial goals when dealing with it. Follow the advice presented here to make the most of the lucrative gold market.

Read This Piece For Helpful Gold Information

Investing in gold is a very popular way to protect your savings from inflation. More people are ensuring their wealth through gold more than ever. Novice and experienced investors will find value in the tips below.

When you sell gold, you should obtain a type of estimated value from multiple sources. There are lots of services, jewelry stores and pawn shops that buy gold. Of course, they will want to make a profit when they sell it. When you have several estimates, you’ll have a better idea of what fair market value is.

When you invest in gold, the best way to invest in is bullion bars. These bars are available in a number of different weights. The bars vary in size from half an ounce to 400 ounces. However, the really big bars are very hard to come by.

Changes in the current price of gold will affect the price you will get. If you decide to sell your gold, pieces with different karat values should be weighed and valued separately. Stay away from selling high-end jewelry pieces because they have more value.

Always use a reputable company when selling gold. Get with the Better Business Bureau or check out reviews online if you’d like to learn about someone’s business. A buyer with a good reputation is going to give you a better deal for the gold you have, and they probably will have great customer service too. Protect your invest and look into these companies.

Make sure to research prospective buyers in advance in order to find a reputable one. You want to determine how the business treats its customers and whether there are outstanding complaints against it. Also get more than one offer for your gold. This will ensure you get the best possible price.

If you buy gold for your retirement fund, be sure it’s the proper kind. Gold as an investment must be designated as approved by the Internal Revenue Service. They have to be 24 karat coins or bullion bars. Consider bars more than coins, since they have more value.

Know that gold in any form can be sold. Valuable gold can be made into anything that is now broken such as jewelry and any home items that could be around. Note that these items need not be pure gold. Items that are partially constructed of gold or even gold plated are acceptable. It’s still possible to make money this way.

Never sell to an unlicensed gold dealer. This does not prevent you from getting scammed, but a licensed buyer probably has a better reputation. There are plenty of buyers for gold, so do not think that you must make a sale to the first buyer that you meet.

Gold is a lot of fun to purchase, but refrain from announcing it to everyone. You can never really know who is listening, nor who you are able to trust. Protect your gold by storing it somewhere secure. This ensures that your gold is protected under all circumstances.

To verify that a particular piece of jewelry isn’t simply plated, you can try testing it yourself with a magnet. If the piece is real gold, the magnet will not be attracted to it. Sometimes, the only thing real about a piece of gold jewelry is the clasp. A magnet can help test jewelry quickly.

You do not have to physically own gold to invest in it. You could buy stocks in a mining company or shares in a gold ETF. If you decide that you wish to own physical gold, be mindful of the security costs you will be paying for storage.

Gold is usually a good investment, but there are no guarantees. If you cannot tolerate ups and downs, look elsewhere. However, if you have some ability to weather such swings, still be sure to safeguard your downside potential risks. You want to maintain a diverse portfolio of other investments and make gold only a small portion of it. Many experts say that no more than 5 percent of your assets should be devoted to gold.

Gold has always been an integral part of people’s lives. When you have the correct information, you can invest in gold and make a fortune over time. This article provided you with a great starting point.

Gold Info You Ought To Know About

Gold has been used for centuries as a form of money. This article will help you learn more about the gold market. Keep reading for great advice about investing in gold.

Bullion bars are a great way to invest in gold. The weights of these items may vary. They can be found in sizes as small as a half-ounce or as large as four hundred ounce bars. The larger sizes are considerably more challenging to find.

Research a gold buyer before selling your gold. Check with business groups and read online reviews. See how fairly treated former customers feel. Talk to several different buyers and get quotes from all of them to ensure you get the best price for your items.

Sell Gold

You can sell gold online. Visiting a broker to make a gold purchase is no longer required. You can find a lot of websites to sell gold. You will receive a package that details how to send you gold pieces. They end up paying you once they receive it, but they usually won’t pay you a lot.

Before buying from a gold seller, schedule a timely delivery. If the seller does not provide immediate delivery, you must get some kind of writing from them confirming when you can expect to get your pieces. The expected delivery date should not be a mystery; it should be clearly stated. Do not complete your order without this important information.

If you do not have a large amount of money to start off with, why not consider purchasing scrap gold. You can buy a little at a time, building up a stockpile. This will not break the bank. Store your scrap gold in a secure location until you are ready to sell it.

You need to only sell your gold to buyers that are licensed. Though you still may be taken, licensed buyers tend to be more trustworthy. There is no shortage of places to do gold trading, so don’t feel pressured to take the first offer you get.

Whenever you begin the gold selling process, you need to be educated on the market price. Compare prices with other gold dealers. Doing this will provide you with a helpful price to work around. Request a bit more than you will settle for to give yourself some room to bargain.

If you’re going to sell your gold to an organization, make sure you look up their BBB rating first. You may find complaints that have been listed by the customers who feel slighted. You should especially pay attention to any customer complaints filed as well as what the resolutions were. If they have a ton of complaints or many that are unresolved, you should consider a different business.

If you’re not looking to own gold, you’ll still be able to invest in it. You have the ability to invest in mining stocks or exchange traded funds that have an emphasis on gold. Purchasing gold bars and coins means you must have a secure place to store them.

Gold is a great tool for investing wealth. The unstable economy we have had the past few years has made this more of a trend. These tips will help you make the most of your gold investment.

What You Probably Did Not Know About Gold

In the world of finance, gold is king. Are you thinking of learning a little more about gold so you’re able to get more out of your investments? From buying shares in companies to obtaining raw gold, there’s a ton to think about. Continue reading to learn more about gold as a financial investment.

When selling gold, it is a good idea to get an estimated value from more than one source. Many jewelry stores and gold buying services are available, and they will all usually take a different profit on the gold they are purchasing. Getting multiple offers allows you to understand what you can get for your gold.

Gold Prices

Gold prices fluctuate on a regular basis, so make sure you have up-to-date information about gold prices before selling something. If you choose to sell any gold, keep in mind that pieces that have different karat values need to be valued and weighed separately. Remember that jewelry will sell at its melt value, not the price the jeweler wants for it.

Sometimes the cost of gold causes buyers to go for cheaper imitation jewelry instead. You can still buy gold jewelry without spending too much at the jewelry store. Try visiting a pawn shop or looking online instead.

Look at the spot price of gold before selling. That way you will be able to ascertain if a dealer is providing you with a fair price or not for your pieces. A lot of dealers provide you with market value, but there are some who will just assume you want quick cash and will make a deal that is best for them.

If you want to sell gold, make sure the buyer has a state license allowing them to do so. There’s always a risk of getting ripped off, but a buyer who is licensed poses far less risk of this occurring. There are many stores and individual buyers looking to purchase gold, so always know you have multiple options, and never just the first deal that comes up.

Don’t avoid searching antique shops or thrift stores for gold. Many of these places offer great finds in gold at a cheap price if dig deep enough. A lot of people don’t know the value of what they have, and just give or sell cheaply to those places. Their lack of knowledge can be used to your benefit, if you know what to look for.

Always do your homework before investing. All markets have their flaws, and the gold one is no exception. Any number of shady individuals or even business are ready and willing to rip you off. Do your homework before giving anyone your business.

Take your time when you are considering dealing with a gold buyer. You might be amazed by the variety of offers received. When you just take buyer number one, you may lose money. Taking your time can really end up getting you the best deal out there.

You should know more about gold now that you’ve read this. With luck, you are now empowered to make some good choices about fitting gold into your portfolio. Take the advice you’ve learned so that you can start working on investing in gold for your future.

Gold 101: Tips And Advice For Buying And Selling

Many people turn to precious metals for a dependable investment while the dollar continues to decline. Gold may be the most venerable of such commodities and it continues to increase markedly in price. The information in this article will guide you as you begin buying gold.

Gold Jewelry

You may shy away due to gold’s price, which may make you go for gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry instead. You do not have to spend lots of money at a jewelry store to buy nice gold jewelry. You can buy gold jewelry more cheaply in pawn shops or online.

Know the current price per ounce of gold before selling your pieces. This way, you’ll know whether you’re really being offered a fair price. Many dealers will pay market value, however others rely on people desperate for cash to get the most for themselves.

If you want to invest in gold, but lack significant capital, think about getting into scrap. Scrap gold can be purchased in very small quantities (like a little bit every time you get a paycheck) and stored until you have a large enough collection to sell off. However, ensure that you have secure storage for your collection.

Why not get your gold jewelry appraised if you are not too sure about its current value? Although appraisals cost money, you will know the value of your items. Find a reputable appraiser, however, to visit. 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.

You can sell anything that contains gold to gold dealers. That could be broken pieces of jewelry, tableware, home decor, or anything else you have around. It doesn’t have to be 24 karat either. Even something partially gold or just gold-plated might mean money. The amount you can get will depend on how pure your item is.

If selling gold using a mail service, find out how much shipping will be. Many companies offer free shipping but charge more for mailing items back. Make sure you know in advance what you might have to pay to get your jewelry back.

Never neglect the idea of hunting in antique shops or flea markets to find gold. If you have an idea of what you are seeking, you can really find a bargain in these places. The prices are low here as the items are often donated. You can benefit from the seller’s loss if you research a bit.

Look into market prices of gold before selling it. Look to see what others are asking for when it comes to similar prices. This will provide you with a good starting point on pricing. Begin the negotiations by asking for more than you expect to receive.

Take your time when you are considering dealing with a gold buyer. You may be shocked to see how different the offers are! Shaking hands with a buyer who brings you the first offer may actually shortchange you. Invest the time into the process, and you will be rewarded in the end.

If you want to make an investment in precious metals such as gold, there are a number of ways to go about it. You can purchase gold stock or the actual gold bullion. This article discussed the value of purchasing gold in both physical and stock form, as well as selling it.