Investing in gold is smart and can bring diversity to your portfolio. But you have to know all choices, and you need to know what you are doing. Keep reading to see why gold is a valuable and great investment strategy.

Before selling your gold, be sure to check the current price. It changes all the time. If you decide to sell your gold, pieces with different karat values should be weighed and valued separately. Don’t sell jewelry that’s worth more due to maker or designer.

Prior to buying or selling any gold, be sure you truly understand how gold pricing works. Gold, along with silver and platinum, have prices that change on a whim. Therefore, you must always know what the spot price currently is. Also, understand that some types of gold will be more expensive than others.

If you are considering a gold buyer, do some research on him to make sure he is reputable. Look at the BBB website online for ratings, reviews, complaints and more. A variety of bids will ensure that you receive the best price.

Before you mail off your gold, make sure that you understand the polices, fees and terms of the company you are dealing with. Understand when you will be paid and how you can insure the mailer. Lastly, take a photo of all that you placed in the package in case there’s an issue later.

Know that anything that has gold in it is sellable to a gold dealer. Whether it is jewelry or home decor related, it could be an everyday item that you have within the home. It need not be completely pure, either. Items with partial gold content, gold plating, or gold mixtures may still be valuable. You will still receive money from the sale of these items.

Selling gold depends on what sort of piece it is, be it a coin, bar or piece of jewelry. Some buyers, including a lot of private sellers and pawn shops, only care about melt value. This shouldn’t deter you from selling your gold, as there is probably a buyer out there willing to buy for collector value.

Spot Price

When you plan to buy gold, make sure you look at the spot price. A number of websites feature this information, and it changes daily. Never buy something listed at more than ten percent of the spot price. Some sellers try charging more, but that’s overcharging, which is generally unethical.

If you think you’re going to mail off your jewelry, you should see what it’s going to cost to have things mailed back if you don’t like their offer. Many companies will pay for your postage when you send but charge a high price when they return the piece to you. Know beforehand how much you would have to send in order to get your pieces back.

Go through thrift shops and antique stores looking for gold. If you have a discerning eye, you can locate great pieces. Many people don’t understand how valuable their items are, so they sell for cheaper than they could at these places. If you’re educated on how to make these finds, you can score some great deals.

Now you know how to use gold to your advantage. It’s a strategy that bridges the gap between your liquid cash savings and your mutual funds and stocks. Find out why gold is so popular as an investment, and learn how the various choices differ in risk.