In these trying economic times, gold has become very popular. In the rough economy of recent years, there are a large number of investors who have looked at gold as a way to keep their money safe. But, it’s important to know more before trying it. Find out how to get the best return on your gold investment.

Changes in the current price of gold will affect the price you will get. Weigh your gold by karat for the greatest deal. Don’t sell jewelry that’s worth more than its melt value because of its designer origins.

Verify the market price before selling your gold jewelry. This way you will already know what to expect for your gold. Lots of dealers offer market value, though some try to take advantage of the sense of urgency felt by sellers needing fast money.

Whenever you make an investment in gold in the form of jewelry, always ensure that you have sufficient documentation and can return it if required. It’s almost impossible to determine the value of your gold jewelry just by looking at it. In those cases, you should return the jewelry for a refund.

If you want to unload scrap gold pieces or jewelry items for cash, do your homework first. Even though the market “spot” gold price is the national standard, not all stores will pay it. You might get a better deal at a store not in a major shopping mall, since their overhead and rent is lower.

Make sure that you only deal with buyers that are licensed to deal in it. Licensed buyers will probably be reputable. There are various people and stores that can buy gold, so do not think that you must go with the first one you encounter.

When you sell your gold, make sure you verify the market price that day. Research the selling price of pieces similar to yours. That way, you will have a good starting point. Always see if you can get a little more than they’re asking if they allow you to negotiate.

Talk to someone at any gold party to determine how they decide a piece’s karats. In most cases, the item is simply stamped. Sometimes, however, there is no visual sign, so many representatives have other methods of figuring it out. Acid tests are an easy way to determine value.

Make sure to conduct independent research prior to investing any money. So-called market experts may really be trying to grab your investment resources with little benefit to you. But, beware of over the top promises about getting wealthy. Don’t think of it like a get-rich-quick scheme to avoid false expectations.

Do not sign anything from a gold dealer without fully understanding what it implies. Gold is a huge market that has some serious money involved in most transactions. You need to know what you’re signing. If any of the conditions are not to your liking, try another dealer. At the end of the day you are the one who stands to lose financially.

The appeal and value of gold continues to gain strength following the global economic slump. Nearly anyone can buy and sell gold. Gold acts as a hedge against inflation and tends to do well in tough economic times. With any luck, readers will find much value in the tips found above.