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For most people today the are looking for alternative ways to invest their money and many are turning to the area of gold. If you have been thinking about placing money into this market but don't know where to start, the tips in the article below will point you in the right direction. Read on for solid advice.





Try to only buy and sell your gold to certain dealers that are recognized through official gold and money associations. These dealers must follow strict guidelines under these organizations to ensure that you get fair compensation or quality pieces. One such well-known organization is the ANA or American Numismatic Association.



Be well informed about the value of precious metals before buying or selling gold. The prices for precious metals go up and down from one day to the next. Therefore you must find the price on the exact day before you agree to do business with someone. Gold pieces with fractions of an ounce will command higher prices than pieces weighing one ounce.



How heavy your gold is will determine how much money you get for each piece. However, some dealers are not very reputable and may try to pay you less than you are owed. Watch out for anyone who weighs your gold by the pennyweight but tries to pay you for grams instead.



When searching for jewelry, you will probably want to know how many karats a particular piece has. Suggested Browsing on a piece of jewelry will provide you with this information. For instance, say you purchase a ring that is 14 karat gold, the hallmark will say &14k&. The hallmark can be found on the inside of each piece.



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.



If you are thinking about becoming a buyer or seller of gold, make sure you are legal! In the United States, you must have a license to purchase, sell or trade gold in any quantities on a regular basis. Check with your city or town about how to become licensed, and then enjoy your new entitlement to dealing in gold.



Avoid selling pieces whose worth is more than just the weight of the gold. The value of antique jewelry and rare coins can far outweigh the value of the gold. Also avoid selling pieces that are artistically crafted, jewelry that has gems and anything with sentimental value. The gold will be melted down before it is sold.



Before going to a gold party, find out which company will be buying your jewelry. Research the company ahead of time by taking a look at their website and finding out how long they have been in business. You can also check the Better Business Bureau to see if they are on there or have any reviews.



Be a comparison shopper. Each gold dealer will make different offers. It may depend on their commission set up or the flexibility in their fees. But you won't see the benefit of this unless you shop around. Don't stop at the first place and call it a day. You may be making a bad deal for yourself.



When buying gold jewelry online, make sure to get written confirmation of your delivery date before finalizing the deal. Ideally, delivery should take place in a very short period of time. If it will be delayed, find out why and for how long. This protects you as the consumer, and it gives you information that would stand up in court if necessary.



Be sure you are getting what you think you are getting from your purchase. You can be taken to the cleaners if you buy gold plated coins rather than actual gold coins, for instance. To be sure you're actually purchasing a real gold coin, ask to have an appraisal done prior to buying it.



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.



Only buy from a dealer you know. To ensure your dealer is reputable, check with the Better Business Bureau. You will be able to learn if there have been any complaints lodged against them. If you notice there are registered you could try this out , then you need to choose another gold dealer.



If you're just starting out with gold investing, you should try not to make things complicated. Shy away from investments such as gold futures markets. Futures are both volatile and complex. You stand to lose a great deal if you lack sufficient knowledge. Avoid dabbling in intricate investments such as these until you have become a more experienced and confident investor.




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Some of the basics of gold investing have been described to you so that you can get started. Now all you have to do is make your choices and keep on researching the field to learn more. It's time to get excited about gold investing so that it can give your portfolio the boost it needs!