For millennia, gold has played a central part in the world's economy. Only within the last century did most nations go off the gold standard. Millions of people still invest in gold as part of their financial portfolios. If you are interested in investing in gold, keep reading for some great advice.
 
 It is important to understand the type of scale your gold dealer uses. Some dealers use a Troy scale while others use a pennyweight. On a Troy scale, gold weighs 31.1 grams per ounce. A pennyweight equals 1.555 grams. In comparison, a US scale measures each ounce of gold at 28 grams.
 
 Before selling your gold to an establishment, make sure that they are a reputable seller. Check with your Better Business Bureau to make sure that they have given fair prices to people. You don't want to sell your gold to someone who will cheat you out of the precious gold you're selling.
 
 Know what gold is currently selling for. While it's convenient to just bring your gold to a shop, do a little internet research first to see what the range is. That way, you can go in knowing how much you can expect to receive. You will know if you are being lowballed.
 
 Consider selling gold online. You don't need to have a physical store location anymore. Just visit a reliable website that will buy your gold. They'll mail you a kit which you use to send them the gold. They will pay you their standard per ounce price for your gold.
 
 When you are thinking about buying gold, consider the person you are buying it from since there is a big difference. Making a purchase from a telemarketer is something that should be avoided at all costs. This is because the high commission they charge makes the transaction not worth it.
 
 Avoid rare gold coins unless you really know what you are buying. Rare gold coins can be difficult to sell, and they sometimes lose value quickly. They also might not contain as much gold as you think. Leave such purchases for the experts, and stick to better known coins for your own collection.
 
 When buying gold, beware of scam artists. Always buy from  https://bookmarkinglife.com/story14675323/figuring-out-what-gold-is-great-for-is-something-most-investors-need-to-know-you-need-to-be-diverse-and-gold-can-provide-your-portfolio-with-this-diversity-it-s-sometimes-hard-to-know-where-you-must-start-there-are-various-options-so-it-may  , and beware of any offers such as free storage or delays in delivery time. Sometimes these dealers will take your money and never provide you with the gold you were promised. Check out your dealer at the BBB before buying to make sure you are working with someone ethical.
 
 Know what you have. Some items are worth way more than the actual price of the gold they are made from. This is especially true for antique coins or jewelry. Oftentimes gold jewelry features highly sought after gems in the setting too. That could make the item a lot more valuable.
 
 If you're buying gold pieces for investment reasons, stay away from proof coins. These coins are polished and mounted, and they can sometimes be worth more than regular coins. The problem is, proof coin value only matters to collectors, and it can vary on a daily basis. For investment only purposes, stick with regular coins.
 
 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.
 
 Do NOT sell your scrap gold or gold jewelery to a company wanting to do so through the mail. These types of operations pay less than pennies on the dollar and you will have no recourse once you receive your measly check from them. Visit a dealer in person, get a real evaluation and try to sell it to them.
 
 Gold can be an important part of a properly diversified investment portfolio. However, to get the best return on your investment, you need to understand as much as you can about the market for gold. With the information you have read here, you can get a good return on your investment.