Gold is something that has been a high regard for quite some time. Gold was discovered centuries ago and has been found in ancient civilizations.If buying gold is something you’re looking to get involved with, the following tips will get you off to the right start.

Before you buy gold from gold sellers, be sure you know exactly when it will be delivered to you. If your seller doesn’t offer delivery immediately, get the delivery date in writing. You should have the estimated date of delivery clearly listed. Don’t proceed with the order without this documentation.

Never deal with a gold buyer or seller who does not have a favorable reputation. Their reputation can be verified though online sources, as well as the BBB. If you are being offered good customer service and an honest price for the gold, then you are dealing with a reputable buyer. Protect your gold investment by doing this.

If you’re selling gold through a mail-in service, take the time to read over their fine print before getting involved with them. Be certain you have a clear understanding of the timeline involved, and be sure things are insured too.

The IRS needs to approve the gold that you receive. Bars typically are often a better deal than the coins.

Research any gold buyer you are considering using and shop around for a reputable buyer. Check for online reviews and reports from the BBB and see how these dealers resolve complaints from their customers. Shop around to get the best price for your gold.

Most buyers will offer you just the melt value for gold jewelry.

GoldMoney is a good resource when buying efforts. It s sort of like setting up a gold “bank account.” You have started an account, deposit fund and receive the value of your account in gold. The gold is in a vault being protected, and you can cash it or redeem it for gold bullions.

If you do not have a large amount of money to start off with, why not consider purchasing scrap gold. It is possible to accomplish this over the long haul, by purchasing some gold every pay day, and build up a valuable reserve within a year. Store your gold in a secure location until enough to cash in has been amassed.

Know what you have in your possession. Not everything that looks like gold is as valuable as the real thing. Other metals are often mixed with gold in order to make it stronger.This can make the price. This also applies to gold plated with gold.

Use a magnet to quickly determine whether an item is made of gold. Precious metals do not going to be attracted to a magnet. Sometimes only plated in gold with a solid but the rest is plated. This is a smart idea to test that.

Anything that contains gold can be sold. Examples of saleable items include broken jewelry, spoons, forks, household goods, etc. Even things that are not pure gold can have value. Plated gold will do. You can still get some decent money selling these 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 sell these small pieces together to get more money. This is various gold pieces in one quantity and it can help you earn more money for them.

You can still invest in gold without actually having gold in your hands. If you choose to purchase actual coins or bars, factor in the cost of storage in a secure location.

Make sure you know the spot price of gold the day you plan to buy or sell. Many websites update this information daily. Never pay more than 8 percent over the current sales price of gold. Many times sellers will try to sell it at a higher price.

You can sell gold through the mail! Many people prefer this process because it is simple.

Never sell some gold simply for the sake of selling it. Gold tends to increase in price, so don’t sell it unless you really need the money. You may benefit in the future by keeping your gold for even more later if you hold onto it now.

Only sell to buyers that have a state license to buy gold. Licensure is not a guarantee of credibility, but it is certainly a good indicator. Many entities buy gold, so you don’t necessarily have to sell when you get the first offer.

You must do your research about the product you are purchasing. Some coins have just been gold plated.

Take pictures of all your gold pieces before you let a buyer inspect them. Also ask about their reimbursement policy should the event the buyer loses them or they are stolen. Make sure you have this information all in writing for protection.

Get a good grasp on what you own. Not all that looks as if it’s real gold is as valuable as the real thing. A lot of times, metals are combined with gold to make the piece stronger. This results in a price reduction. This is the case with gold plated items. If you are unsure of what you have, you may want to get it appraised prior to going to sell it.

Remember your identification when you sell gold. Gold is the main target of thieves that wish to make decent money. To catch them, laws are in place that mean anyone selling gold has to have proper identification. It is easier to find stolen gold.

Research gold dealers before doing business with the company. There are definitely some bad apples in the gold market. They will do anything to get you a bad deal.

Ask the gold party representative about how the gold’s purity in karats is determined. Many times you will see the item have a stamp on it. Sometimes, however, there is no visual sign, so many representatives have other methods of figuring it out. The most simple test involves the use of acid. If the company claims to use that type of test, it may be an indication that they are not as experienced with accurate testing methods.

Pawn shops have scales, but do you know just how accurate they are? Scales are relatively inexpensive and are worth the investment.

Now you know why gold is so valuable. Gold is a very valuable investment and also beautifully worn. Print out this article in order to refer back to it when necessary, and get started on the path of gold buying and a good future.

You can invest in gold without actually owning physical gold property. Stocks in gold mining or gold based mutual funds are two such alternatives. If you’re buying bars or gold coins, think about the cost storage when making your purchase.