Hone Your Gold Knowledge By Using This Expert Advice

By Diane Dizon


If you are a serious investor, you must be sure to diversify your investment portfolio. With that in mind, nothing beats gold. Whatever your reason for wanting to look into trading gold, this article has pointers to get you started.

Have an understanding of gold prices. Daily fluctuations are the norm, so you must be current on the spot price. You might need to pay a higher percentage for melt values such as 1/10, and 1/2 fractional pieces.

Never deal with a gold buyer or seller who does not have a favorable reputation. There are several ways to find out about their reputation, such as online reviews or Better Business Bureau filings. A reputable buyer will typically pay you a fair price for your gold, and they will offer better customer service than less reputable buyers. Research helps protect you and your investment.

Check the return policy before you buy anyone a gift of gold. It's not uncommon for many pieces to not be the receiver's taste or the wrong size. Because of this, it is critical that you are able to bring the piece back to obtain a refund.

Get your jewelry appraised. Although you're spending some money up front, at least you're getting fair market value for your items. Use a licensed appraiser only. However, do not expect to receive the exact amount suggested by the appraisal when you sell the gold.

Anything with gold can be sold to a good dealer. Valuable gold can be made into anything that is now broken such as jewelry and any home items that could be around. It doesn't need to be 100% gold either. It could be part of an item that's gold, or just gold-plated. You will still get a favorable return.

Make sure you're only selling to someone who has a license to purchase gold. There's still a chance of getting a bad deal, but chances are your buyer will be more than reputable. Many establishments purchase gold, so there is no need to sell yours to the first buyer you deal with.

If you decide to take any scrap gold or jewelry to local places that pay cash for gold, shop around. The current spot price for gold is considered as a national standard but not all buyers will offer this price. The overhead of the store involved may determine how much or little they are able to offer.

Do not forget to search thrift shops and antique stores for hidden treasures. If you are aware of what to search for, you can find bargains in these places. Often people do not realize the value of old jewelry and simply donate it or put it in a garage sale. You can reap the benefits of their loss if you do your homework first.

Now that you've come to the end of this article, you know a few things about gold. Use these ideas for improving the investment portfolio or making money with just gold. Do plenty of research on gold and investments before starting to work on your portfolio.




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