Gold has been one of the most powerful icons of wealth for centuries, and there is no reason to believe this will stop in the near future. Now that the economy appears wobbly and weak, investors will once again turn to gold. Use this article to learn how to profit from buying and selling gold. Keep reading to get helpful advice.

Attain more than one estimate of the value of your gold. There are many buyers who purchase gold, but prices vary from one professional to the next. Getting estimates from several establishments will help you make sure that you receive a fair price.

Get a good education in precious metal pricing before you try to buy or sell gold. 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.

Market Value

Always check out the up to date market value for gold before you seek your gold jewelry. You will then be prepared to negotiate. Most dealers will give you the market value, but some will rely on the fact that people just want cash to try and get the best deal possible for themselves.

If you’re thinking of getting gold to help you retire, you need to get the right variety. The IRS must have approved the gold that you receive. That means only 24 karat and only coins or bullion. Bars typically are more valuable than coins are.

When buying gold jewelry as a gift, make sure that the return policy is sound. It’s entirely possible that a particular piece ends up being improperly sized or simply unappreciated by its recipient. In those cases, you should return the jewelry for a refund.

Make sure that you step up to the market with a sound mind and wary eye. The gold market has more than its share of disreputable dealers. There are individuals who will not hesitate to take advantage of you if you give them the opportunity. The benefits of caution and careful research simply cannot be overstated.

Karat Value

Break up your gold into karat values when you intend to sell it. The gold’s value changes depending on the karat value. Mixing them together may reduce the worth. Gold with higher karat value is more pure and therefore more valuable.

Knowing how to determine the grade of gold is essential if you want to invest in gold pieces. The purity of gold is measured by karat. The purer the gold, the higher the karats and the more valuable it is by the ounce. You cannot rely on the stamp with the karat. Testing for gold’s purity will prevent you from paying too much for a poor piece.

A good way to get a good price on gold is to ask your relatives for their broken jewelry. Purchase a quality jewelry scale, figure out the weight of the jewelry they are willing to sell and offer them a good price. You will end up paying them more than they would get from a pawnshop, and you will make a profit.

If selling gold online is attractive, check the prices several times before making a decision. You may get a better deal by going to a local dealer. Mailing may be convenient; however, you may also be losing quite a bit of money.

What is the buyback policy at the seller you want to buy from? Gold buyers sometimes charge premium rates in order to resell gold. Think about the cost and inconvenience of shipping gold bars to various locations. To be on the safe side, you shouldn’t buy gold and allow the dealer to keep a hold of it.

Most people know how gold has helped people become wealthy. The bumpy economic times we have seen in recent years has only accelerated this trend. Use the information from this article as a valuable resource to help your build your wealth.