Gold has been treasured for thousands of years. Outside of buying jewelry, few people know how to invest in gold. This article will help you learn about buying and selling gold.

If you’re unsure what your gold might be worth, then have an appraisal done. This may cost a small fee, however it is crucial if you want to know the true value of your item. You will want to find someone who is accredited in gold appraisal to get the proper value of the piece. Remember if you sell, you will not receive the full price of the appraisal.

When you’re dealing with any type of gold it can be of valuable to someone that buys it. This could be jewelry pieces which are broken, home decor, tableware or any other gold items you have around. Note that these items need not be pure gold. A gold plated item or an item that is not entirely made from gold is still valuable. Any amount of gold will get you back a nice amount of money.

Melt Value

When selling gold, you must decide whether you’re selling a piece for its melt value or just jewelry. Most pawn shops and gold buyers will purchase your gold jewelry for melt value. Don’t give up; eventually, the right buyer will come your way.

As exciting as buying gold can be, avoid telling people about it. You may accidentally be overheard by a thief. Keep your investment to yourself and under lock and key, either with a bank or in a good home safe. That way, your gold will always be secure.

Use a magnet to quickly determine whether an item is really made of gold or another precious metal. Gold and other precious metal will not be affected by a magnet, which means that they won’t stick to it at all. Check the chain as well as the clasp for an accurate reading. Using this technique will help ensure your pieces are solid gold.

Talk to someone at a gold party to learn how they figure out the number of karats in a jewelry piece. Many items are stamped. Other times, though, there are no outward signs, and therefore representatives rely on other techniques. One method that can be used is the acid test.

You must know what investments to make before you actually start investing in gold. There will probably be people saying that they know what they’re talking about just so you’re likely to invest with them. You must be extremely careful about any promises concerning getting rich quick. Don’t overestimate how quickly gold will get you rich.

Always understand what you are signing. Read any materials the company you are sending your gold to provides you with. This helps you see how much is paid toward commissions and fees.

One choice for selling gold is sending it through the mail. This is an easy way to get the job done. You receive a postage paid envelope, place your items inside, ship it and wait for a check in the mail. But, keep in mind that you may not get as much money this way. Keep in mind that you could be looking at a return of 30% less than other options.

Gold is an excellent investment since it can easily be traded and retains its good value. Gold holds its value, and over time it will increase in value. Now that you’re more knowledgeable about gold, you can begin making a collection today.