Have you taken a stab at investing in gold in the past? Do you currently hold any gold investments? While the market for gold isn't complex, there are many things you should know in order to make the best investment decisions. In order to make gold work for you, keep reading.
It is important to understand the type of scale your gold dealer uses. Some dealers use a Troy scale while others use a pennyweight. On a Troy scale, gold weighs 31.1 grams per ounce. A pennyweight equals 1.555 grams. In comparison, a US scale measures each ounce of gold at 28 grams.
Prior to buying a piece of gold from a seller, make sure you schedule for timely delivery. It you don't have it delivered immediately, find out when you will receive your gold. The expected date must be listed. Don't go through with the order if they can't provide you with the delivery date in writing.
Sort your jewelry before heading in to sell it, putting all the 10 karat pieces together, all the 14 karat pieces together and so on. This will help ensure that your jewelry is weighed separately. There are dealers that will simply throw everything in together and only pay you as if it is all 10 karats.
Just like you would do a price comparison on a vehicle you are interested in purchasing, make sure you go to more than one place to inquire about the value of your gold. Different shops and dealers are going to quote you different prices. Get the most money possible for your jewelry.
The gold value of a piece of jewelry will never be equal to the amount you paid for it. That is because the gold is not pure and is diluted by alloys. The jewelry will need to be melted down to separate the gold from whatever other material it was mixed with.
When buying gold, beware of scam artists. Always buy from a reputable dealer, and beware of any offers such as free storage or delays in delivery time. Sometimes these dealers will take your money and never provide you with the gold you were promised. Check out your dealer at the BBB before buying to make sure you are working with someone ethical.
If you're selling gold jewelry, make sure you know about karats. Pure gold is very soft, so it's mixed with other metals for color and durability. The FTC or Federal Trade Commission requires that all sold U.S. gold jewelry must describe the alloy's karat fineness. A single karat equals 1/24 of pure gold via weight. For instance, 14 karats jewelry is 14 parts gold and 10 parts different metals. Jewelry can't be sold as "gold jewelry" if it's less than 10 karats.
To protect yourself and get a good deal, always do research on anyone you might buy gold from. This is a must if you choose to use a mail service that's in a different state to sell your gold. Make sure the gold buyer you select is properly registered with your local Better Business Bureau and ask if any complaints were filed against them.
Do NOT sell your scrap gold or gold jewelery to a company wanting to do so through the mail. These types of operations pay less than pennies on the dollar and you will have no recourse once you receive your measly check from them. Visit a dealer in person, get a real evaluation and try to sell it to them.
Cash For Gold
Be sure to select carefully when considering taking your gold to a pawn shop or jeweler for sale. The current value of gold may be one price, but that certainly doesn't mean every buyer is willing to offer it. Local stores that don't have outrageous overhead may be able to pay you more for your gold.
Shop around town if you are taking scrap jewelry or gold pieces to sell here to a store or pawn shop. Though there may be a standard market price for gold at a particular moment in time, not every store will pay it. Look at places where it costs less for the company to do business, so they can pay more for the gold.
Make sure that you only deal with buyers that are licensed to deal in it. Although anyone could rip you off, the chances are slim when working with someone who is licensed. There are various people and stores that can buy gold, so do not think that you must go with the first one you encounter.
If you are planning to buy gold coins, consider holding on to them for awhile before making a sale. Gold can fluctuate in value on a daily basis, meaning if you buy today, sometimes the value will be less tomorrow. This can lead to frustration if you try to sell too soon. Save yourself the headache by buying for the long run.
Remember that you can lose money when you buy gold. Buying gold is an investment and like all investments, its value can actually decrease as well as increase. Therefore, it is important to make sure that you do not invest more than you can comfortably afford to lose in the precious metal.
Understand how weighing gold works prior to going into a shop to sell or buy gold. There are lots of unfamiliar terms like troy ounces and penny weights. This can often fool the inexperienced into thinking they are getting a better deal than they really are. Don't let that be you.
Gold has long been prized for its ability to serve as a stable, known repository of personal wealth. With curiosity in gold markets reaching fever pitch in recent years, it really does pay to possess a good amount of knowledge on the topic. Use the information presented above and get the most value from your own foray into the market for gold.
AU Precious Metal Solutions
142 South St, Rochester, MI 48307
(248) 833-6133