The value of gold keeps increasing since more people see this precious metal as a safe way of solidifying their wealth. If you wish to get a lot out of working with gold, then you'll find this article to be useful. Read more to gain more suggestions.

If you have a nice gold piece, consider selling it privately rather than through a gold purchasing agency or jewelry store. Many companies that are in business to buy gold will only buy it to melt and sell, meaning they will pay only for the weight of the gold. An individual who likes your piece might be willing to pay a higher price tag, because they are likely to keep and enjoy the piece.

Before buying or selling gold, know how precious metal prices work. 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. You might need to pay a higher percentage for melt values such as 1/10, and 1/2 fractional pieces.

When going to sell your gold, bring along identification. If you come to an agreement on the sale of the pieces, you will be required to give the buyers a copy of your government issued id. This is a law meant to protect individuals against buying pieces that are stolen, and any reputable dealer will stand by this law.

Only jewelry that is at least 10 karats can be sold to gold dealers. The more karats your piece is, the higher amount it will command on the market. Therefore, a necklace that is 14 karats should get you a better price than something that is only 10 karats. Prior to taking in your jewelry, look at each piece to determine how many karats it is. This may help you decide whether you want to sell it or not.

Knowwhat is a bust down watchper ounce of gold before selling your pieces. This way you will know if a dealer is offering you the proper amount for your items. Most dealers should sell according to the market, but sometimes they'll try to scam you if they think you just want quick cash.

Take a look at the spot price prior to going out to purchase gold. Many sites offer this information, plus it changes every day. Never pay more than 8 percent over the current sales price of gold. Paying that price would simply be unfair to you.

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.

Be sure you know about the gold in your possession. Pieces that appear to be gold may not be worth gold's weight. Sometimes other metals might be mixed into gold to make it stronger. The less gold, the less value. Gold-plated items apply the same principle. If you don't know what you have, have it appraised before trying to sell it.

Prior to selling your gold to a buyer, jeweler or dealer, check them out on the BBB. Here, you will find information regarding the business, as well complaints and reviews from people who've dealt with them before. Look at the complaints to see whether or not they were resolved. Avoid using any business that has a lot of complaints or unresolved complaints.

When it comes to selling gold jewelry, you should know exactly what it is that you are selling. Many pieces are worth more when they're left as is rather than melted down. If your pieces come from famous makers or designer lines, they may carry more value for the buyer over what kind of gold they're made of.

Know that the gold jewelry you buy online may be different than you think it really is. When you cannot hold something and look it over in person, you may be disappointed when you get the item. This is because there's no telling what the quality will be like with just the picture.

Gold is a great tool for investing wealth. With an uncertain economy in these recent years it has become more popular. Apply the tips you just read and do more research before investing in gold.