Everyone knows how much popularity gold has gained since the economy has turned sour. An increasing number of people are investing in gold to secure their wealth, but a lot of people do not how to approach it properly. In this article we will share advice that will help anyone who wishes to invest in gold.

Bullion Bars

When investing in gold, bullion bars are the best way to go. Bullion bars come in a variety of weights. The bullion bars come in half ounce bars and increase up to large bars weighing 400 ounces. You will have a hard time if you are seeking the largest size.

Before you get into investing or selling gold, it’s best to understand how it works. With silver, platinum and gold the prices vary wildly throughout the day, and in order to get the correct price you must spot check it on the day before making a purchase. You may be required to spend more on melt values if you are working with fractional pieces. You might pay more for something that is 0.25 ounces versus something that is 1 ounce.

When it comes to selling gold, you must decide if you are going to sell it just for its melt value or as a jewelry piece. Private sellers and pawn shops just want the melt value. Don’t get discouraged if you are looking to sell jewelry, as buyers are still out there.

Be sure to consult the spot price on the day when you plan to purchase gold. This price changes every day. You can locate it on several different websites. Don’t buy anything marked up over 8% of this. While many companies attempt to charge more, this is simply not ethical and should be viewed with caution.

Never sell to an unlicensed gold dealer. You could still have a problem, but licensed buyers are more likely reputable. There is a lot of competition out there, so you can sell to someone else if you’re not happy with the first offer.

GoldMoney is a popular resource to use in gold buying efforts. It’s similar to opening a “gold bank account.” You create an account and fund it; then your account is given some gold at the market price. It then is kept in a vault. The gold is yours to cash in if you wish. You may also redeem it for physical gold later.

Gold Market

Be careful before getting involved in the gold market. The gold market has more than its share of disreputable dealers. Any number of shady individuals or even business are ready and willing to rip you off. Do your homework before giving anyone your business.

Always do your own research into the gold market before you make any investments. Some individuals pretend to market experts but who are in fact just trying to dupe you into investing through them. When they make huge promises, they can’t keep them. Gold investing should be long term investments.

Before selling your gold, contact your local Better Business Bureau. They will have basic information about the business listed, along with any reviews or complaints from others that have done business with them. Pay special attention to any complaints and if they were resolved or not. If you see lots of complaints that have gone unresolved, think about moving on.

Investing in gold has it’s ups and downs. You will probably observe some fluctuations on the short term but you should not let this stress you. However gold is perfect for long term investments. Don’t invest any more than a small percentage of your overall portfolio in gold. Typically, you should be okay with five percent.

Gold is more popular than ever. You can use gold to ride out the tumultuous wave that the stock market may be going through. Use the information above to help guide you through your gold investments.