Everyone knows how much popularity gold has gained since the economy has turned sour. Nearly everyone is looking to gold right now to help them out of a financial jam, but most don’t know how to go about it. Novice and experienced investors will find value in the tips below.

You might balk at the high cost of gold, causing you to select gold-filled or gold-plated items. You don’t have to spend a mint at a jewelry store, though. It is cheaper online and at pawn shops.

Check the current price in the gold market before you sell your jewelry. That way you will be able to ascertain if a dealer is providing you with a fair price or not for your pieces. Dealers will charge you a premium on top of market value so they can make some money too.

Look into buying scrap gold if you can’t afford to get into the bigger market. You can buy a little at a time, building up a stockpile. This will not break the bank. Make sure you keep the gold secured. A safety deposit box is a good place.

When purchasing a piece of gold jewelry for someone else, be sure there is a return policy. You do not know if the gift receiver will like it or if the piece fits. Because of this, it is critical that you are able to bring the piece back to obtain a refund.

If you send off gold by mail, see how much it is to have it returned to you if the offer isn’t that great. A lot of companies say they’ll let you ship for free, but to get things back they charge quite a bit. Know beforehand how much you would have to send in order to get your pieces back.

While purchasing gold can be quite exhilarating, try not to discuss your purchase with others. You can never really know who is listening, nor who you are able to trust. Keep it to yourself and protected, either with a decent home safe or in a bank. That will ensure that a home robber doesn’t get away with it.

Earring backs are often solid gold when the earring isn’t. Ring bands and the clasps of necklaces usually are, too. These pieces don’t weigh much, so try selling them all as a “lot.” That means they are collected into an assortment that can bring a better price together.

You can actually sell your gold through the mail! A lot of sellers enjoy doing this because it’s not hard. 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 such enterprises tend to offer lower prices than some competitors. Some of these outfits pay you a third of the money for the item than you might get elsewhere, so be cautious.

Although gold can be a lucrative investment, it can be volatile. If you would be made anxious by unexpected peaks and valleys in the market, you should avoid it. If you decide to invest, start out with a small investment. You should invest only 10% of your portfolio in gold. A good limit is five percent.

The volatile financial markets have made gold a popular investment choice worldwide. It’s important to know how to invest in it properly, but investing has many advantages to anyone who is looking to invest in something that isn’t volatile at the present time. Hopefully this article has really given you some helpful tips.