Expert Advice On How To Become Gold Savvy

Gold makes a great investment, but what do you know about buying and selling gold. While it may sound simple, there are actually many things you should know before you get started. Keep reading so that you can learn more about gold as an investment and how it can strengthen your portfolio.

When you go to sell your gold, make sure your expectations are not too high and bring your government-issued identification. On average, gold dealers pay between 70 and 80 percent of the actual value. The law requires that dealers ask sellers for identification when buying gold to aid police in their investigations about stolen property.

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.

Be aware of any fees that are attached to the transaction of buying gold. Online purchases come with several types of fees. You may suffer from a markup of as much as ten percent from the dealer. Read all of the fine print to learn about any and all fees that are related to the purchase

If you are buying gold as a form of a retirement fund, make sure to buy the right kind. It has to be given the stamp of approval from the IRS. They must be 24 karat bullion bars or coins. Consider bars more than coins, since they have more value.

Know what you have. Some items are worth way more than the actual price of the gold they are made from. This is especially true for antique coins or jewelry. Oftentimes gold jewelry features highly sought after gems in the setting too. That could make the item a lot more valuable.

Watch out for "pop-up" buyers. These individuals travel from place to place, putting out advertisements that lure in sellers with the promise of a big payout. In many cases, these buyers then leave town without paying the sellers what they are owed. Always do your research on anyone you are planning to sell to.

When selling gold, research the market price. Compare the prices offered by different buyers. You will get a general idea of the kind of price you can get. Always ask for a bit more than you really want in order to allow for negotiation.

Watch out for the gold buying bait and switch. There are buyers out there that promote the price they'll pay for bulk gold, but don't tell you that the price is much more for smaller quantities. This can leave you making a very bad deal. Ask before you make any sort of commitment.

Talk to a rep at a gold party to see how they figure out the number of karats in a jewelry piece. Many times you will see the item have a stamp on it. However, at other times, there is no stamp, so a lot of reps use other ways to find out. Acid tests are an easy way to determine value.

When selling gold, it pays to shop around. This includes checking with several dealers both locally and nationally. To get the most bang for your buck, ask what fees will be assessed during the sale. Just because a dealer is offering to pay more per ounce, does not always equate to more money in your pocket. This extra money can be ate up by fees and commissions.

Do not sell your gold at a gold party. Although these parties are fun, sellers usually net less than 80 percent of the value of their gold at these parties. To get the most bang for your buck, find a reputable dealer that specializes in buying and selling gold.

Do not assume because there is no stamp that a piece of gold is not real. There are many solid gold pieces out there that are not stamped at all. Try testing the gold in question with a magnet and if it does not stick, you probably have solid gold.

Do not buy gold from strangers who approach you in the streets and offer to sell it to you at an unreasonably cheap price. It might sound silly but people fall for it all the time. These pieces are brass or gold plated and the seller will do anything to get you to buy it. Ask to go to the pawn shop and if they refuse, walk away.

Now that you are more familiar with the different strategies for buying and selling gold, you can dive into the market. Gold is a wonderful recession-proof investment, and you want it to work for you. Remember all the tips you've read so that you can come out on top in the market.