Do you know anything about gold investing? Do you feel new to it all? Have you been trading for a while but feel you need more knowledge? Whatever the case, the following article has helpful tips. Nearly everyone can take away something from the following tips. Read on.

Have an understanding of gold prices. Gold, along with silver and platinum, have prices that change on a whim. Therefore, you must always know what the spot price currently is. Understand that you will likely pay a higher price for fractional pieces. A half an ounce, for instance, will not exactly cost one half the price of an ounce, it will be slightly higher.

Think about using the Internet to sell gold. Visiting a broker to make a gold purchase is no longer required. There are quite a few websites out there that will buy it. You will get a kit to return gold. If everything is together, you’ll get paid their going rate.

Find out what the terms are before mailing off your old, broken jewelry. You should find out how long the process takes, and get package tracking and insurance on your package, too. Last, but not least, photograph each item you are sending via mail so that you have recourse if a dispute occurs.

Return Policy

Consider a fair return policy as an absolute necessity when you’re purchasing gold jewelry, especially if you intend to make a gift out of it. You have no idea if the person for whom you are purchasing the piece will like it or if it will fit. By ensuring that the dealer offers a return policy, you can help protect yourself.

Be cautious. There are many swindlers to be found in the gold market. There are quite a few people out there that would just love to dupe you out of what you are really owed. Doing a good amount of research will ensure that you are getting the very best deal.

Use a magnet to test inexpensive jewelry to determine if it consists of steel. If it is a true precious metal, it will not adhere to the magnet. Sometimes the clasp of a piece is solid, however the rest will be plated. Magnets will let you tell the difference.

Research how the gold market is doing before investing. There may be unscrupulous dealers claiming to be experts in order to get you to invest with them. However, you should be leery of anyone who promises you wealth. Don’t think of buying gold as a means to overnight riches, and you will never end up being disappointed.

Fine Print

Make sure you read fine print in any sales contract to a full understanding. If you’re using a mail-in gold program, read all the fine print prior to committing to the deal. This helps you understand what you will have to pay in fees and commissions.

Before you sell your gold as scrap, it is wise to have it appraised first. This is particularly true with pieces that have intricate details with considerable workmanship. Appraisals cost money, but often are a good investment. This is also a great way to locate buyers who might be interested in your gold.

Earring backs are often solid gold when the earring isn’t. Necklace clasps and bands to rings are usually real, too. Since these items are so small individually, it’s best to sell them together in a larger lot. This just pulls together a number of gold pieces as a quantity, which might help you make a little more money.

Now that you know how to buy and sell gold, you get to jump into the market with confidence. Gold prices are volatile and there are risks involved so don’t expect to earn a massive profit immediately. Learning all that you can is what will help you to become successful.