Gold prices keep going up, no matter what other currency goes down. Therefore, it is a sound investment and a terrific way to generate profits. When buying or selling gold, there are some important things you must consider. Use these hand-picked tips to maximize your profits from dealing in gold.

Bullion bars are usually the safest way to invest in gold. The weights of these items may vary. Smaller pieces are as little as half an ounce, while others reach hundreds of ounces in size. If you want a 400 ounce bar, you may have a hard time finding one.

Before selling your gold, be sure to check the current price. It changes all the time. If you choose to sell gold, weigh and value pieces that have different karat values separately. Try not to sell jewelry items that are valuable due to their maker.

Ensure that your retirement investments are approved. It has to be given the stamp of approval from the IRS. They have to be 24 karat coins or bullion bars. Gold bars tend to hold their value better than gold coins.

If you want to start investing in gold but don’t have much money to get started, think about buying scrap. Do this regularly over a certain length of time, and in 12 months or so, you would have accumulated a good amount. Just make sure you have a safe place to store your little stockpile until it is time to upgrade.

Sell only to gold buyers who are licensed. Most states require that dealers be licensed when dealing with the buying and selling of gold. There is no shortage of places to do gold trading, so don’t feel pressured to take the first offer you get.

You never know where you will find valuable gold; places like thrift stores are often great places to discover good deals. You can find bargains in those places when you’re aware of what you want. A lot of people give these items to thrift shops or antique markets because they aren’t aware of their true value. If you’re educated on how to make these finds, you can score some great deals.

You can use a magnet to determine the authenticity of gold. Precious metals, gold included, are not magnetic. Sometimes only the clasp is solid but the rest is plated. This can be a useful method of testing for that.

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. Sometimes there is a stamp. Other times, there is no way of knowing. The simplest test is the acid test, so if a rep is using this method, he may be a novice to the market.

There is a reason why the buying and selling of gold remain a solid choice today. The popularity and value of gold is expected to continue thriving, which means there is an excellent opportunity to make serious money. But with any type of investing, it’s important to understand the ins and outs before you jump in. Keep this article in a safe place and refer to it whenever you need a little help.