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.

The price of gold tends to fluctuate over time. It is smart to buy when gold prices are very low and then hold on to it. Don't panic and sell if the price goes up and comes back down. Investing in gold over a long period of time can really end up paying off.

You need to know what you have before you go to sell it. Higher karats equals higher gold density and more value. Buyers who do not have a good reputation may try to take advantage of sellers who don't know exactly what they have.gold iced out watch -four karat gold is almost pure gold so it is worth way more than fourteen karat gold.

If you are planning on buying gold for historic value, make sure you understand the true value of the piece. Some are worth no more than their melt price. If you are buying for your own collection, that might be okay. If you are buying as an investment, you should look for pieces that are worth more, meaning it's often advisable to stay away from any mention of historic value.

Prior to going to a gold party, take your jewelry to a store and get an estimate as to how much the gold is worth. If the gold party representative quotes you a lower amount, see if they are willing to negotiate. If not, determine whether you truly want to sell at the party or would just prefer to hang on to the items.

Have a basic understanding of grams and pennyweight measurements when selling your gold. Some jewelers will measure in pennyweight but pay in grams, and this results in a lower payment to the seller. Avoid this by asking what measurement your jeweler is using before your pieces are ever weighed, and make sure you are paid based on that same measurement.

If you are interested in selling your gold, you may come across an advertisement stating that a buyer will be at a local hotel near you. In many cases, these people are interested in more than just gold, so if you have other items of value, you should be able to unload them as well. However, you won't command a very high price for your gold from these individuals, and they will often try to pressure you into the sale.

Try to look for coin dealers that offer a money back guarantee. This proves that the company is more worried about you being satisfied than they are about making a profit for themselves. It will not be easy to find a dealer that offers this, but it is definitely worth the time it takes to seek one out.

If the buyer of your gold does not ask to see your government issued ID, you may want to think twice about doing business with them. Gold buyers are required by law to see your ID and record your information. This requirement helps recover stolen property and prevents money laundering.

It is important that you read all of the fine print when buying or selling gold. Some buyers will charge you a fee to sell your gold. When you are thinking about sending hefty gold bars or pieces to non-local dealer, consider the logistics. Be smart! Avoid purchasing gold and then leaving it with the dealer!

If your gold piece has small gems in it, you can ask to keep them after the piece is melted down. The seller may not be able to remove them easily if the gems are small, though. Small gemstones usually have no value for dealers's who melt down jewelry to reclaim the gold.

Understanding how you can invest in gold is key to diversification of your portfolio. This article has tried to help, so you can make good decisions now. Keep this advice in mind and get going.