Looking For Information On Gold? Read This

If you wish to be a gold investor, then you have definitely made a decision that brings balance to your investment portfolio. You need to know what to do and weigh all options. Keep reading to see why gold is a valuable and great investment strategy.

Find out if you have a piece made by a well-known designer. Sometimes, the origin of the piece and the designer of the piece makes a gold piece worth more, rather than having it melted down. Tell the buyer if you have a piece done by someone noteworthy, to get a better price.

When purchasing gold jewelry, ask the jeweler for a certificate of authenticity. This certificate is proof that you are purchasing a good piece of jewelry made of solid cold. Be sure the certificate indicates the price of the jewelry. Should you ever decide to sell your jewelry, this will be of help.

Be a student of the gold market. This market is very tricky, as the price of gold is something that changes on a daily basis. Whats a great deal one day could be less than stellar the next. Its up to you to know what you are getting into so that you can get the most for your buying or selling.

If you own gold or plan on buying some anytime soon, be sure to also invest in a good safe, unless youre going to store it in the bank. Many financial institutions dont insure their safe deposit boxes, so people tend to harbor gold at home. Get a solid safe, home security system and have the gold insured, for the safest keeping.

If you decide to invest in gold, find out which type of gold is the best investment for you. Most investors buy gold bullion bars or gold coins. This type of gold requires a sizable investment. Gold bars are available in a wide variety of sizes from half an ounce to 400 ounces.

Comparison shop when you are choosing a buyer. Youd be surprised in the variance of prices youll get offered. If you dont shop around, you may not get what you are owed. Take a little bit more time at first so youve got the maximum return on your gold investment.

Understand how gold much gold is in each ounce. For example, 18 carat gold contains more gold than 14 carat. This is because in 18 carat gold there is 18 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys. In 14 carat gold, there is 14 parts gold and 10 parts other alloys. For this reason, 18 carat gold sells for more than 14 carat gold.

When trying to determine if something is real gold or not, try holding it up to a magnet. Since true gold does not have any magnetic properties, it shouldnt respond at all. If you observe any attraction between your "gold" and the magnet, youve probably been fooled or simply found a good imitation.

Watch out for the gold buying bait and switch. There are buyers out there that promote the price theyll pay for bulk gold, but dont tell you that the price is much more for smaller quantities. This can leave you making a very bad deal. Ask before you make any sort of commitment.

When at a gold party, talk with the rep about how they make the determination on the karats of the jewelry being sold. Frequently, the gold piece will have a stamp on it. In some situations, though, no visual sign presents itself, so there are other ways of determining it. Acid testing is a very simple way to asses karat quality. If you see this method being employed, its possible that the tester is a relative newcomer.

Now you know how to use gold to your advantage. It can be a bridge between liquid cash reserves and mutual funds. Learn why gold is usually a good choice and know the risks and benefits all options give you.