Given the volatility of the global economy in recent years, buying and selling gold has gained a new degree of popularity. The key to generating real value and profits from gold is to spend sufficient time learning about the commodity and its market. Keep reading to gain valuable pointers that really can help.

Beware of buying or selling gold from any mobile offices or cold-call solicitations. These “businesses” are set up in temporary locations that include inns and motels. They claim to offer instant cash for silver and gold pieces, especially coins. They enjoy taking pieces to make a profit for unfair or no compensation.

Do your research on the fee and commission structures for the dealer you are considering. Every dealer will have slightly different commission structures. Some may be more fair to you than others, so use it as a way to comparison shop against multiple dealers. This way, you can get the best deal for you possible.

If you have a particularly nice piece of jewelry, you may be able to get more money for it as is rather than selling it to someone to melt down. This is particularly true if the item was made by a popular designer. Investigate your options before you just go forward with a sale.

Before actually purchasing a piece of gold jewelry, shop around. More expensive jewelry stores will charge you an arm and leg. However, the same piece of jewelry can sometimes be found elsewhere for a much lower price. You can even tell a jeweler that you saw the piece for cheaper and you may be able to negotiate with them.

Do not assume that gold that is old, ugly, broken and unwearable is not eligible to be sold for a profit. The value of gold is not based on the attractiveness of the piece. It all depends on the weight of the gold, so feel free to bring in gold that is in any condition.

If you are not sure of the value of your gold jewelry, you may want to get it appraised. Though you will have to pay a bit, knowing its value is crucial. Make sure you go to an accredited and reliable appraiser to get valid appraisal papers. If you decide to sell, be aware that it’s not likely for you to get full retail value of your item.

Research gold buyers. If you decide to send your gold out of state, make sure your package is certified and insured. You will probably feel more confident selling your gold to a reputable local business that has a storefront. Either way, you should check with the Better Business Bureau.

When selling your gold, make sure that you separate each piece by its karat value. Some dealers will attempt to weigh all your gold at once then use the lowest karat value to calculate the payment. Keeping your jewelry separated out by karat values ensures that you are paid fairly for each piece.

Gold has traditionally provided a stable repository of value, even in the most turbulent economic times. In order to extract maximum value from your own participation in the gold market, knowledge is absolutely essential. Hopefully this article has given you the foundation necessary to launch your own exploration of the possibilities offered by gold.