During economic instability, people have often found that gold makes a great investment. Unfortunately, dealing in the gold market is not foolproof, making it possible to confuse even experienced gold investors. Continue on into the following paragraphs to learn a few useful things about dealing with gold.

The market price of gold fluctuates daily, and sometimes even more often than that. You ought to know the latest number prior to trying to sell. If you choose to sell gold items, those with differing karat designations ought to be weighed on their own. Never sell any jewelry as gold scraps that’s worth more than the gold itself due to the designer.

When it’s time to sell off gold, you should always deal with trustworthy buyers. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints filed against a gold dealer. A buyer with a good reputation will normally pay the going rate for gold, and offer superb customer service than a company than is not legitimate. Protect your invest and look into these companies.

Before buying or selling gold, be sure you are aware of how metals are priced. Silver, gold and platinum prices fluctuate often, and therefore you need to verify spot pricing the day prior to your intended deal. You should be ready to pay a higher percentage for fractional pieces like half ounces and quarter ounces over the melt prices.

While you may be very tempted to quickly send off your old gold scraps and jewelry to a business that buys gold through the mail, do your homework about the company first. You should find out how long the process takes, and get package tracking and insurance on your package, too. Be sure you capture photos of everything you put in the mail.

Think about having your jewelry appraised if you are not sure of it’s true value. Paying a professional to appraise your item is a good investment. In order to have it valued most accurately, go with an appraiser who is accredited and independent. Remember if you sell, you will not receive the full price of the appraisal.

Make sure that you know the current market value of your gold before selling it. This information can be found on various websites, although they tend to fluctuate each day. When you actually go to buy, do not pay more than an eight percent markup over this price. Be on the lookout for any unscrupulous dealers who try to get away with overcharging you.

Be sure the buyer you are considering is licensed by the state to make gold purchases. While you could still get ripped off, a licensed buyer is more likely to be reputable. There are many people who will buy your gold, but some are out to rip you off.

Never pass up an opportunity to search for gold in a thrift shop or antique store. If you are aware of what to search for, you can find bargains in these places. Often people do not realize the value of old jewelry and simply donate it or put it in a garage sale. Their lack of knowledge can be used to your benefit, if you know what to look for.

Nobody can discount how gold has played a vital role in creating substantial wealth among many people, and even to the lesser investor. Being informed can help you to make wise investments. Fortunately, you now have some degree of knowledge along those lines.