Gold Information That You Absolutely Must Know

Any savvy investor should have a portion of their total investment portfolio. Gold is the top commodity available. From retirement saving to just turning a small profit, gold can do it all for you when you use the tips below.

Research the current market price of gold before you attempt to sell your old and unwanted jewelry. That way, you will know if you are being offered a fair price for the items you have. Dealers will charge you a premium on top of market value so they can make some money too.

TIP! Prior to selling old jewelry, research the going price for gold. This way, you’ll know whether you’re really being offered a fair price.

Do not dabble in the gold market until you know how pricing of precious metals. Silver, gold and platinum prices vary from day to day, and therefore you need to verify spot pricing the day prior to your intended deal. You should be ready to pay a premium to the melt values if you’re buying less than one ounce pieces.

This can be done over time, and you can see how this can make a valuable investment. Keep your stash in a safe location until you get enough to cash in.

Know that anything that has gold in it is sellable to a gold dealer. From broken jewelry to gold fillings, it can all be sold. Mixed metal items can be sold as well. The items can be gold-plated or made of an alloy containing gold. The amount you can get will depend on how pure your item is.

Only buy gold jewelry from a seller if you can return policy If that happens, you need to return it for a complete refund.

As exciting as buying gold can be, don’t run your mouth about it. You never know who to trust or who is listening.Make sure that your investment is kept private and protect them by storing them in a local bank safe deposit box. This will protect yourself and your gold investment.

Take a look at the spot price prior to going out to purchase gold. This price changes every day. You can locate it on several different websites. When you actually make your purchase, refuse to pay more than 8 percent more than this price. Be on the lookout for any unscrupulous dealers who try to get away with overcharging you.

TIP! The day that you plan on buying gold, check its spot price. A number of websites feature this information, and it changes daily.

Don’t discount the value of looking for gold items from thrift stores or antique shops. You can find great bargains in these places. You can reap the seller’s loss if you do your homework first.

Read the fine print in a sales contract. You need to know what you’re getting into if selling through a mail-in purchasing service to sell gold. This lets you understand what you will have to pay in fees are taken off the top.

Before selling you gold through the mail, be sure you know what the procedure is for getting your items back and any costs involved in doing so. A lot of companies say they’ll let you ship for free, but to get things back they charge quite a bit. By knowing this information ahead of time, you can prevent unnecessary charges.

You can still invest in gold without collecting it. If you decide to buy gold bars or coins, factor in the cost of storage in a secure location.

You can actually sell gold by mailing it to a buyer.A lot of sellers enjoy doing this process due to the simplicity.

Be sure the buyer you are considering is licensed by the state to make gold purchases. This does not prevent you from getting scammed, but a licensed buyer probably has a better reputation. There are a number of people out there willing to buy, so avoid thinking you have to go with the first buyer you see.

TIP! Never sell your gold to someone who does not have the appropriate state licensure. Although anyone could rip you off, the chances are slim when working with someone who is licensed.

Read all the fine print when meeting a gold dealer.This is a great deal of dollars associated with it. You must be fully aware of any form you’re attaching your signature to.If you’re not comfortable with any terms, be prepared to move on. You must protect yourself financially.

Gold is a safe investment but volatile investment. If you can’t stomach market swings, avoid this market. Even if you’re ready to get into these choppy seas, you need to prevent downside risks. Never put more than just a sliver of your total portfolio in gold. A prudent limit is five percent.

Look into market prices of gold before selling it. Look to see what others are asking for when it comes to similar prices. This gives you an idea of what you should get. Always start a little higher that what you are actually hoping to get, so you have room to negotiate.

Get to know any dealer before buying gold.If there have been complaints filed, look for another dealer.

A way to get gold inexpensively is to ask your relatives for their broken jewelry that they want to sell. If you can buy it from them at below melt value, you can offer friends and family a higher price than what they would receive at a pawnshop.

A cheap and quick way to test gold is to use a magnet. Precious metals, gold included, are not magnetic. Certain pieces have a clasp made of real gold while the remaining parts are plated. This method is good test for that.

TIP! Use a magnet if you want a cost-effective way to determine whether or not the precious metal is real. Gold, unlike other metals, will not be attracted to a magnet.

You should apply the tips you just read to invest in gold. Apply this understanding and boost your investment portfolio starting now. Do plenty of research on gold and investments before starting to work on your portfolio.