A current trend in light of the weakened economy is investing in gold. However, this is not always the case. Read the following article to learn more about gold and how you can make a safe investment.

Bullion bars are a great choice if you wish to put your money in gold. They come in weights that vary. Bars may be a half ounce, 400 ounces or anything in between. If the 400-ounce bars interest you, you’re going to have a hard time finding them.

It is important to only do business with people who have a good reputation. Look at the Better Business Bureau to gather information about the company to see if their legitimate or not. A legit buyer will offer a fair amount for the gold you have. Protect your gold investment by doing this.

Gold Jewelry

Sometimes the cost of gold causes buyers to go for cheaper imitation jewelry instead. You can still buy gold jewelry without spending too much at the jewelry store. You can usually find more affordable gold jewelry online, or if you visit pawnshops.

If you’re sending your gold to some company via the mail, check them out before doing business with them. Ensure you understand the reimbursement terms, and don’t neglect to purchase postal insurance for the package. You can also protect yourself in case of any disputes by snapping some photos of your jewelry before sending it off.

If you buy gold for your retirement fund, be sure it’s the proper kind. Gold as an investment must be designated as approved by the Internal Revenue Service. The gold has to be either coins or bars, of the 24 karat variety. Gold bars tend to hold their value better than gold coins.

Realize that any piece that contains gold can be sold to a buyer. This could be jewelry pieces which are broken, home decor, tableware or any other gold items you have around. It is not really necessary for these items to be solid gold. A gold plated item or an item that is not entirely made from gold is still valuable. The amount you can get will depend on how pure your item is.

If you take jewelry or scrap gold to local companies that will pay for it, shop around. Many stores do not pay the going rate for gold. Stores which are not centrally located may be able to give you a better price.

Be fully aware of what you have. Even though the item looks like gold, it may not have much value. Many times, gold is mixed with other metals to increase its strength. This results in a price reduction. Items that are just plated in gold can also be affected. Getting gold jewelry appraised is always a good idea if you want to be clear about the potential sale value it represents.

You can use a magnet to determine the authenticity of gold. Gold and other precious metals are non-ferrous, so they won’t be attracted to a magnet. Sometimes you’ll find a clasp to be something solid, but everything else is plated. This is a smart idea to test it this way.

Instead of immediately thinking you have scrap gold, take it to get appraised first. This tends to be true for pieces that have intricate workmanship and details. A proper appraisal may cost money, but it can definitely be worth the expense with valuable pieces that may have resale value. An appraiser might even be able to help you sell your special item.

Karat Weight

Be sure to separate all your gold items by karat weight before sale. Some buyers will weigh all your gold at once and offer you what the smallest karat weight is worth. You’ll lose out on a lot of potential profit this way. Present the buyer with different piles of gold so you can get a good price for your gold.

While many people think that investing in general is hard, investing in gold is not hard if you learn a little about how it works. The information shared here should make it so that you can begin your foray into gold investing. Use the tips to help you invest more wisely.