Many people are moving investments from stocks and bonds to precious metals for a dependable investment while the dollar continues to decline. Gold may be the most popular since it’s value keeps increasing while the dollar’s value is decreasing.Use these tips the next time you consider an investment in gold.Gold bullion bars are the most economical choice for investment purposes. These come in varying weights. The weights range from 0.5 oz to 400 ounces. The 400 ounce bars can be very difficult to find.Get valuations for your tangible gold from a handful of dealers at a minimum. From pawn shops to jewelry stores, each location will charge a different premium on gold. Getting multiple estimates helps you get a fairer price on your gold when selling it.Gold prices change all of the time, so you must stay apprised on the values of your items. If you decide to sell your gold, those with differing karat designations ought to be weighed on their own. Don’t sell jewelry that’s worth more than its melt value because of the design or the creator.Research several gold buyer you are considering using and shop around for a reputable buyer.Before selling your gold, be sure to check the current price. It changes all the time. Weigh your gold by karat for the greatest deal. Don’t sell jewelry that’s worth more due to maker or designer.If you plan to sell jewelry through mail-in companies, check them and their conditions out carefully before going to your post office. Be certain you have a clear understanding of the timeline involved, and be sure things are insured too.Sell gold to buyers that are licensed by the state. There is no shortage of places to do gold trading, so you can sell to someone else if you’re not happy with the first offer.Prior to buying a piece of gold from a seller, make sure you schedule for timely delivery. If this is not possible, make sure you get a written contract outlining when the items will arrive. The confirmation should include an estimate of the delivery date. Only make the order if you have such a document.While purchasing gold can be quite exhilarating, you need to keep it quiet. You don’t know who to trust or who you can really trust. Make sure that your gold investments to yourself and kept safe.This will protect your gold has protection no matter what.Research how the gold market is doing before investing in it. Some individuals pretend to market experts but who are in fact just trying to dupe you to invest with them.Save your money to buy higher quality gold and avoid gold-filled and gold-plated pieces. It is very possible to buy real gold without spending a lot of money at a jewelry store. Pawn shops provide great discounts.Have all jewelry appraised prior to selling it to anyone as scrap gold. This is especially true for pieces like jewelry with intricate workmanship and details. You may have to pay for the appraisal, but it’s worth it. Appraisers also may know of an interested in your jewelry.You can actually sell gold by sending it in the mail! A lot of sellers enjoy doing this process due to the simplicity.

Make sure that you know the current market value of your gold before selling it. This information is available on a number of websites. Never pay any more than an 8 percent markup on the gold prices. There are dealers who attempt to charge a higher amount, but they are unethical and simply overcharging.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, and weighing your gold together can cheat you out of money. Higher karat value translates to higher prices.The purity of golds is measured in units called karats. The more the karats, the more pure and the more expensive it is per ounce. You should not just rely on the carat stamp. You will not inadvertently purchase bad quality if you know the methods to testing gold purity tests.Don’t let others know you invest in physical gold. You don’t know who is listening, and you don’t know who you can trust. You want to keep these investments safe, mainly stored at the bank or at home if you’ve got a good safe. This will keep you and your gold protected under any circumstances.Know what your goals before you invest money in gold. Gold is a great hedge against economic instability and inflation, it is good for long-term investing. If you limit your risk and have set goals, you have a better chance of making money.If selling gold online is attractive, check the going price of gold first. Mailing it can be more convenient; however, you may also be losing quite a bit of money.Know what it is you actually have. Many things look like solid gold but are not. A lot of the time there will be something mixed with the gold so it holds up better. The less gold, the less value. So can gold-plating. Have an appraisal done on large amounts of jewelry or gold whose value you are uncertain about before selling it.If you are investing out of a sheer love of gold itself, try buying jewelry that’s made from some pure gold. Jewelry makes a fashion statement too.Gold is a long-term investment.This means you rarely invest in gold no matter what the current price is and not just when the value is high.Comparison shop when you are choosing a buyer. You will get many different amounts. If you choose to sell to the first buyer, you might get a bad deal. Taking your time can really end up getting you the best deal out there.If your gold jewelry includes gemstones, once it’s melted down see if you’re able to keep it. If the gems are really small, though, they will be difficult to remove.Be certain that the value of what you are purchasing. Some “gold” coins out there that you may think are gold plated while others will be difficult for you to sell.A fast, cheap way to test for gold’s authenticity is to use magnets. If it is a true precious metal, it will not adhere to the magnet. Check the clasp separately from a chain. The magnet test is simple and effective for this purpose.You must consider certain strategies when you’re investing in gold. People can invest in physical gold, stocks, or even shares. Hopefully you now have a better understanding of the different ways that you can invest in gold.