Recent economic woes have made investors much more interested in securing stable, safe investment sources. As a result, interest in gold has skyrocketed. Investors need to consider many things, however, and many people lack the right knowledge. Below you’ll find some useful tips that can make you a much more intelligent gold investor.

Be well informed about the value of precious metals before buying or selling gold. Precious metal prices vary from day to day and it’s best to check the price before selling or buying gold. You may have to pay higher prices, though, for pieces that have a small fractional measurement.

Make sure you research any gold broker you do business with. You want to work with a reputable gold broker. You can read reviews online, check with the Better Business Bureau and discover how each dealer resolves customer complaints. If you get quotes from multiple buyers, you will get the most for your gold.

Delivery Date

Always make delivery arrangements before purchasing gold from a vendor. Delivery times are important. If your seller can’t commit to immediate delivery, get the delivery date in writing. The expected delivery date should not be a mystery; it should be clearly stated. Only go through with your order if you obtain this document.

Do not allow the high price of gold to deter you from buying quality products. You will not benefit from buying jewelry that is plated or filled with gold. However, you can still find a deal now and then, which you can turn around and sell for a profit. Pawn shops provide great discounts.

If you decide to send your jewelry to a company through the mail, research them and their terms before heading to the post office. Be sure you figure out when you’ll get sent a payment, and be sure things are insured too. You can also protect yourself in case of any disputes by snapping some photos of your jewelry before sending it off.

If the reason for purchasing gold is for your retirement fund, it’s crucial to purchase the appropriate kind. The gold has to be IRS approved. Only 24K coins and bullion bars are eligible. Since gold bars are worth more than coins, it is best to buy them instead.

If you don’t have lots of money to buy gold, but still want to profit on the upside, think about buying scrap gold. Use the capital you have and purchase what you can and add to it as money becomes available. Just make sure you have a safe place to store your little stockpile until it is time to upgrade.

Spot Price

Find out the spot price for gold on the day that you’re planning to buy. A number of websites feature this information, and it changes daily. Never pay in excess of 8% markup above the spot price. Paying that price would simply be unfair to you.

If you are shipping jewelry, be certain you find out how much it’s going to cost to get your pieces back if you fail to accept their offer. Even if you do not pay for shipping the gold initially, return shipping is an entirely different matter. Realize in advance that you’re out money to get back your jewelry.

Shop around before you decide which gold buyer you will use. You’d be surprised in the variance of prices you’ll get offered. If you go with the first buyer that you meet, you may end up with the worst deal possible. Instead, do your research and get the most for your gold.

Interest in gold has risen in the past few years and keeps growing. But, smart investors will find out about the market prior to getting involved with it. Apply the advice in this article and achieve the wealth you’ve always dreamed of.