Gold has long been used to measure value. If you want to buy or sell gold, you should keep reading here for information on what to do.

Bullion bars are hands down your money in gold. These bars are available in various weights. They can range from just under an ounce to bars that weigh four-hundred ounces. The 400 ounce bars can be very difficult to find.

Bullion bars are hands down your best gold investment. You can find them in several different weights. You’ll see them as four-hundred ounces or even a half ounce. If the 400-ounce bars interest you, you’re going to have a hard time finding them.

Gold prices change frequently, so know the current value before you attempt to sell any. If you have made the call to sell any gold you have, pieces with different karat values should be weighed and valued separately. Avoid selling any jewelry that is worth is dependent on the designer or maker.

Before you buy gold from a dealer, know when it is going to be delivered. If this is not possible, you need to have some kind of written contract or guarantee when your pieces are arriving. The date on which you can expect to receive the items should be something you can see listed. Proceed with an order only if you get this information is forthcoming.

Be sure to find a reputable gold buyer to do business with. Get with the Better Business Bureau or check out reviews online if you’d like to learn about someone’s business. A good buyer will treat you well and offer a fair price on your jewelry. You should do this to better protect your gold investment and yourself.

The cost of gold may put you the idea that gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry is better.You do not have to pay full price for gold jewelry without spending a fortune at a store. It is cheaper online retailers or pawn shops.

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

If you are interested in trying gold as a commodity, but you are short on capital for investment, start out with buying scrap. Scrap gold can be purchased in very small quantities (like a little bit every time you get a paycheck) and stored until you have a large enough collection to sell off. Keep the gold somewhere secure until you’re ready to sell it.

This can be done over time, and can lead to an accumulation of real value in the span of a year or two. Keep it inside a safe until you have an sufficient amount to cash in.

Make sure you verify the spot price of gold the same day you plan to buy or sell. This information can be found on a number of websites. Never pay any more than an 8 percent markup on your gold. Some dealers are going to try and charge you more, but it is a rip-off.

If you are buying gold jewelry as a gift, make sure you have a money back guarantee. It’s entirely possible that a particular piece ends up being improperly sized or simply unappreciated by its recipient. If the gold turns out to be fake, make sure you get your money back.

If you plan to mail your jewelry, know how much return shipping is going to cost you in the event you don’t accept their offer. Know beforehand how much you mail your pieces back.

Research the gold market ahead of investing. There will probably be people claiming to be market gurus who are trying to lure you into investing with them.

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. A lot of buyers offer free shipping but will charge you a lot to send the item back. Understand what you will have to pay if you don’t like their offer. Protect yourself.

You can invest in gold without physically owning any. If you want to get physical gold, take into account the cost of secure storage of your gold.

Gold is a safe investment but this precious metal can also be volatile. If you can’t stomach market swings, stay away. If you are able to handle it, try to reduce your downside risk. Never invest more than just a sliver of your total portfolio in gold. A good limit is about five percent.

Although buying gold is exciting, don’t talk to people about this. You really don’t know who can be trusted when it comes to your investments. Keep your investment to yourself and under lock and key, either with a bank or in a good home safe. In this way, you can be sure your gold investment is safe.

Know what your goals before you invest money in gold. Gold can be a good hedge against inflation and economic instability, but it is great when you are trying to balance your portfolio through rough economic times. By setting goals and limiting your involvement, your chances of making money increase.

Make sure you understand the buyback policy of a seller. Some gold buyers will charge a premium to resell your gold. Consider if sending the item by mail or going to a dealer outside your geographical location. It is always best to take the gold you purchase it from your local dealer.

Be certain to review the sales contract carefully. Read any materials the company you are sending your gold to provides you with. You’ll then know the amount of your profit that will go to fees and commissions.

Gold Jewelry

If you want to make a gold investment for beauty and value reasons, consider buying gold jewelry made from pure gold. You can use your gold jewelry as a fashion accessory.

You can invest in gold without actually having gold in your hands. Mutual funds and ETF’s, as well as gold mining stocks, are avenues of gold investing. If you’re buying bars or gold coins, think about the cost storage when making your purchase.

You can often get the best deals from regular people willing to sell. You also need to know the risks before purchasing any gold. If you feel certain the coin being offered at a low price is legitimate, take your chances and go for it.

You won’t get full value for your gold. Gold dealers are a profit just like everyone else. You can expect to get about 50% and 70% of the total value.

Learn how to verify the quality of gold pieces. Purity is rated in karats. The more the karats, the more the gold is worth. You cannot rely on the stamp with the karat. If you can test the purity, you will never over pay.

Make sure that your gold investments are in gold. Gold is not something that gives you the income potential that certain stocks and all bonds or stocks. The price tends to fluctuate a lot in the gold is also extremely volatile.It only goes up in value during times when equities lose value. You ought not invest more than five percent of your portfolio into the gold market.

Gold is an excellent investment since it can easily be traded and retains its good value. It makes sense to invest in gold because it retains its value and increases in value as time goes on. With this knowledge behind you, you can start collecting gold right away.

To get the best deal and to protect yourself, always research the buyer of your gold. This is especially true when selling to a mail service gold dealer. Companies purchasing gold are generally listed with the BBB. You are able to see any complaints filed here.