The idea of buying and selling gold has become very popular, especially during the recent downturn of the economy. It is important to understand how the gold market works before you begin investing in it. Keep reading this article to find out how you can take advantage of the availability of gold.

Be sure to find a reputable gold buyer to do business with. Their reputation can be verified though online sources, as well as the BBB. A good buyer will treat you well and offer a fair price on your jewelry. This extra step makes sure that you are covered and paid appropriately.

You can actually sell your gold online. There’s no reason to confine yourself to brick-and-mortar stores when selling your gold. There are many places to sell gold online. Such sites will send kits in which you mail back your gold. If everything is together, you’ll get paid their going rate.

Schedule for a proper delivery before buying gold from any seller. If this is not possible, make sure you get a written contract outlining when the items will arrive. The expected date must be listed. Only make the order if you have such a document.

Spot Price

It’s always a good idea to verify the spot price before making a purchase the same day. This information can be found on several different websites. When purchasing, don’t pay greater than 8% markup above the spot price. Some dealers will try to charge more, but they are overcharging and oftentimes, not ethical.

Never sell your gold to someone who does not have the appropriate state licensure. You could still have a problem, but licensed buyers are more likely reputable. There are quite a few vendors that will purchase gold, so never go into it thinking you’ve got to sell your gold to the first seller you talk to.

GoldMoney could be a good resource when you want to buy gold. It can be compared to “gold bank accounts.” You set up an account, deposit your funds, and you’re assigned some gold at a price that prevails to your account. The gold is in a vault being protected, but you can sell it or even have a bullion bar shipped to you.

Thrift Shops

Thrift shops, antique stores and estate sales can be fantastic sources for finding gold jewelry at a good price. A smart and educated gold shopper can make some great finds. A lot of people give these items to thrift shops or antique markets because they aren’t aware of their true value. You can reap the benefits of their loss if you do your homework first.

Be fully aware of what you have. There are many things that look like gold, but are completely worthless. It’s not uncommon to find gold that has been mixed in with other, lesser metals. This reduces its price though. So can gold-plating. When you don’t know what you’ve got, have it appraised ahead of selling it.

Talk to a the gold party representative to learn how they make karat determinations. The item is stamped, a lot of times. A visual cue may not be available so other methods are used to figure it out. The simplest test is the acid test, so if a rep is using this method, he may be a novice to the market.

The gold market is a profitable way to invest, and therefore many people are interested in getting involved. Unfortunately, there are also a number of people who haven’t taken the time to learn all that they can about it, and as a result, they don’t always make the best decisions. Hopefully, you have just learned what you need to know to start investing in and profiting from gold.