Investors concerned with recent financial uncertainty the world over have recently turned to gold markets in record numbers as a way to secure their personal wealth. But, not everyone has a sufficient grasp of the principles of gold buying and selling necessary to make smart decisions. The advice and guidance that follows is meant to help correct that problem for curious readers.

Before selling your gold, be sure to check the current price. It changes all the time. If you choose to sell gold items, those with differing karat designations ought to be weighed on their own. Don’t sell jewelry that has an increased value because of the design or the creator.

Do not expect too much from a gold party. While you will make some money by attending, they are more about having fun with friends or family. Expect to reap about 80 percent of the actual value of your gold. If you are looking to get more than that, consider dealing with a jeweler or other gold dealer.

When searching for jewelry, you will probably want to know how many karats a particular piece has. The hallmark on a piece of jewelry will provide you with this information. For instance, say you purchase a ring that is 14 karat gold, the hallmark will say “14k”. The hallmark can be found on the inside of each piece.

Now is the best time to sell because gold prices have been at near record highs. You can sell your broken or unwanted gold jewelry, gold-plated dinner wear, gold coins and even dental gold. Gold buyers are anxious to buy anything that contains gold. Get several bids to ensure that you are getting the best price.

How heavy your gold is will determine how much money you get for each piece. However, some dealers are not very reputable and may try to pay you less than you are owed. Watch out for anyone who weighs your gold by the pennyweight but tries to pay you for grams instead.

Just like you would do a price comparison on a vehicle you are interested in purchasing, make sure you go to more than one place to inquire about the value of your gold. Different shops and dealers are going to quote you different prices. Get the most money possible for your jewelry.

There is no disputing the massive surge in gold markets experienced in recent years, due in large part to the upheavals seen in other investment sectors. To invest wisely in gold, it pays to acquire solid knowledge of the topic in advance. Use this article as a resource going forward, and you will have what it takes to succeed.