In uncertain financial times, countless individuals have turned to gold as a way to keep personal wealth safe and sound. It is important to understand all of the intricacies of the market. Read on for helpful advice about purchasing and selling gold.

When selling gold, sell to reputable buyers. Contact your local Better Business Bureau to see if there have been complaints filed against a gold dealer. A buyer with a good reputation will give you good service and an equitable price for the gold you are selling. This extra step makes sure that you are covered and paid appropriately.

If you intend to convert your gold jewelry into cash, you’ll have to choose between selling it as jewelry or for the “melt” value of the gold it contains. You will only get melt value at pawn shops or with most private buyers. However, if you are patient, you will find a buyer who is willing to pay top dollar for your jewelry.

Check gold prices on the day your are buying or selling gold. This information can be found on several different websites. You shouldn’t pay more than 8 percent over the spot price. There are dealers who attempt to charge a higher amount, but they are unethical and simply overcharging.

Make sure to conduct independent research prior to investing any money. There are those who say they’re market gurus and want you to invest with them. Nonetheless, you should be wary of high flung promises of wealth. Gold won’t get you rich overnight, so don’t expect as much.

Know your dealer before purchasing gold. To ensure you’re dealing with someone legitimate, do some research with the BBB. That way, you can learn about any complaints made about the company. If there have been complaints filed, consider using a different dealer.

The price of gold has increased 400 percent over the past 10 years, and that is great for gold owners. One of the most important determinations of gold values is the relative value of the dollar. When the dollar loses value, the value of gold increases.

One thing to see if you can get cheap gold is to see if you know anyone that has broken jewelry for sale. If you can buy it from them at below melt value, you can make a profit.

Know what you want before you invest in gold. Gold is good to have around in a bad economy, but it is volatile. If you limit your risk and have set goals, you are more likely to profit.

Be sure you double check prices before you sell gold online. It’s not uncommon to find more favorable pricing from local buyers with physical locations. It is certainly easier than dealing with a mail-only company, but these outlets do not typically pay as well.

Keep your gold trading simple, especially at the start. Avoid gold futures and other popular types of gold investment. Futures take time to understand, and they are prone to volatility. If you don’t happen to know exactly what you’re getting into, you risk losing money instead of making it. Do not tackle these investments if you do not know what you are doing.

Try buying gold U.S. coins that were made before 1933. Before 1933, gold coins were circulated just like any other coinage, but then President Roosevelt recalled them. Some people didn’t heed that recall, so there are some very valuable coins still available.

Everyone knows that gold has played a major role in many scenarios, from those looking to get rich to those looking for some financial comfort. To truly be a wise participant in gold markets, though, a good amount of education is vital. You should have gained some of that knowledge from this article.