Investing in gold is a very popular way to protect your savings from inflation. In the rough economy of recent years, there are a large number of investors who have looked at gold as a way to keep their money safe. But, it’s important to know more before trying it. This article was written to be of assistance to gold investors wanting to get as much from gold as they can.

When you invest in gold, it is a good idea to go with buillon bars. The weight of these bars vary. The weights range from 0.5 oz to 400 oz bars. It will be harder to find the bigger bars.

It is important to research the current value of gold before selling your gold. Don’t forget to take into account the different karat values of your gold pieces. Avoid selling any jewelry that’s worth is dependent on the designer.

If you’re thinking of getting gold to help you retire, you need to get the right variety. The gold has to be IRS approved. They have to be either 24 karat coins or bullion bars. Over time, gold bars appreciate better than gold coins.

Check spot prices before you buy. This information can be found on several different websites. Never pay in excess of 8% markup above the spot price. Some dealers charge more than that, but it is a rip-off.

While gold buying can be fun, don’t tell everyone about it. You can’t be sure who’s listening or who is trustworthy. Stay quiet about the investment and make sure you keep it safe. This ensures that your gold is protected under all circumstances.

Before selling your gold, comparison shop. You may be shocked to see how different the offers are! If you do not get several offers, you may not get the best price. Take a bit of extra time upfront so that you have the most cash possible in your pocket.

You can easily test whether a gold piece of jewelry is real by using a simple magnet. Precious metals like gold are not going to be attracted to a magnet. In some cases, jewelry may have a clasp that is made of gold, but the rest of the jewelry piece is made of plated metal. This can be a useful method of testing for that.

In many cases, earing backing are solid gold even the total piece is not. Necklace clasps and ring bands are as well. These sorts of items are often lightweight and should be sold as a collected lot rather than individually. A larger profit can be obtained this way as many pieces are being sold in one “lot”.

It is a good idea to check with the Better Business Bureau before you deal with a gold broker. Here, you will find information regarding the business, as well complaints and reviews from people who’ve dealt with them before. Pay special attention to any complaints and if they were resolved or not. If they have many complaints or lots of unresolved complaints, consider another buyer.

You can invest in gold without collecting it. You could buy stocks in a mining company or shares in a gold ETF. If you buy physical gold, keep storage costs in mind.

You can sell your gold through the mail. A lot of sellers prefer this, as it is easy. Oftentimes you will be provided with a prepaid envelope and will receive a check in the mail. These companies won’t pay the same amount for gold as others though. Some of these outfits pay you a third of the money for the item than you might get elsewhere, so be cautious.

Even though gold is often profitable, it is also equally volatile. If you can’t handle losing money, this is not the investment for you. If you decide to invest, start out with a small investment. Don’t over invest in a single market, like gold. Limiting gold to five percent or less of your total investment is a good idea.

Due to the financial hardships throughout the world, gold has not only become more popular, but it has also become more important. When armed with the appropriate information, investors from all walks of life can safely invest in gold as a solid source of investment. Use the tips here to make money.