Any serious investor knows to put a portion of their investments into the commodity market. Gold is truly the number one commodity that is out there. From retirement saving to just turning a small profit, gold can do it all for you when you use the tips below.Do you know how pricing of precious metals works? The value of gold tends to fluctuate, so be certain you know the spot price before any transaction. You should be ready to pay a premium to the melt values if you’re buying less than one ounce pieces.You need to be cautious about the kind of gold that you purchase to help fund your retirement. The IRS has to approve the gold. It needs to be either 24 karat coins or bullion bars. Bars are often a better deal than the coins.Prior to purchasing a gold item from a seller, make sure you schedule for timely delivery. If a seller gives you anything other than immediate delivery, make sure you get a written contract outlining when the items will arrive. The expected delivery date on which you can expect to receive the items should be provided. Only make the order if given this documentation.If selling gold using a mail service, make sure you investigate how much it will cost you to have the pieces sent back to you if you don’t like the offer. Be sure you figure out what things will cost you start mailing off your items.When you buy gold for another, make sure it has a return policy. You have no idea if the person for whom you are purchasing the piece will like it or if it will fit. Because this isn’t rare, it’s crucial that you have the ability to return the jewelry for a refund if it’s necessary.Be aware of the true value of your possession.Not everything that appear to be gold is worth its weight in it. Other metals are often mixed with gold in order to make it stronger.This makes the price a lot lower. This applies to gold plated items.Earring backings are usually solid gold, even when the earrings are not.Necklace clasps and ring bands often are usually real as well. You can often sell these small pieces together to get more money. A large quantity can be obtained this way as many pieces are being sold in profiting better from them.If you don’t know what your gold jewelry is worth, consider having an appraisal done. Although you’re spending some money up front, at least you’re getting fair market value for your items. Be sure to select an appraiser who is accredited and independent for a realistic appraisal. Remember if you sell, you will not receive the full price of the appraisal.Separate your gold into groups based on karat weight. Some buyers will weigh all of your items at once and offer you for the lowest karat. This is a scam that will result in you money.You can actually sell your gold by sending it in the mail! Many sellers like this option because it is simple.

You might sell gold melted down or as a jewelry item. Pawn shops and many private sellers are only looking to pay the melt value. It may take longer to find the right buyer, but you will get more money this way.Never sell gold just for the sake of doing so. Gold usually increases in value, and it’s high right now; however it might go up even more. You may be able to sell your gold.

Karat Values

If you decide to mail your gold to a buyer, find out how much mailing and insuring these items will cost you and how much you will have to pay to have the items mailed back to you in case you do not accept the buyer’s offer. While businesses may claim free shipping, they may also charge you to send the pieces back. Be sure that you find out ahead of time how much it will cost to get back your jewelry.When you are selling gold, first thing to do is separate each piece into their different values of karats. The gold values differ by karat values so if all the gold you have is weighed together, so you are unlikely to receive the best price for your gold if it is all weighed together. Higher karat values yield higher value overall.Know your goals before you invest in gold. Gold can provide a hedge against inflation, but it can be a volatile investment. If you’re able to set a limit on being exposed to it and have a few things in mind before you set out, you will be better equipped for making a good investment.Don’t discount the value of looking for gold in vintage or antique stores. You can find bargains in those places when you’re aware of what you want. Sometimes, people sell to these kinds of stores because they were unaware of what they had. Their lack of knowledge can be used to your benefit, if you know what to look for.If your gold piece has small gems in it, you can get the gems back that are embedded in piece before selling. The really small pieces are rather hard to remove, though.You should know ahead of time that you won’t be able to get the full melt value for your gold. Gold dealers must make a business just like everyone else. Expect to see offers that are 30 to 50 to 70 percent of the total value.Approach the market with caution. Several markets have bad companies, but gold is notorious for containing many. A lot of companies and individuals trading in gold rely on taking advantage of unsuspecting consumers in order to increase their profits. That’s why you must do your research and be careful.With the knowledge gained from this piece you should have a new perspective on gold investments. Improve your portfolio or make yourself some money by using these tips. Use your newly found knowledge to become a successful gold trader.