Gold has been valued by people since the beginning of time. It has been used as money, given as gifts and turned into jewelry to show affection. Gold is a good investment because it is universally treasured. If edible gold are looking to invest in some gold, here are some tips to help you invest wisely.

When you go to sell your gold, make sure your expectations are not too high and bring your government-issued identification. On average, gold dealers pay between 70 and 80 percent of the actual value. The law requires that dealers ask sellers for identification when buying gold to aid police in their investigations about stolen property.

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.

Sort your jewelry before heading in to sell it, putting all the 10 karat pieces together, all the 14 karat pieces together and so on. This will help ensure that your jewelry is weighed separately. There are dealers that will simply throw everything in together and only pay you as if it is all 10 karats.

Do not fall for the pressure that sellers may put on you. Sales pressure is commonly used when the seller is trying to pull a fast one on you. Always take some time to consider all of your options before investing in gold. This is especially true when buying over the Internet.

If you are headed to a gold party, keep your expectations low. While you may walk out with a few hundred dollars, you are not going to get rich. You also won't get the full value of your jewelry. Go and have fun, but do not sell anything you don't want to sell.

Avoid gold parties, unless you just want to have fun. For the most part, you aren't going to get the full value of your jewelry, although participants often enjoy going because the parties are convenient and offer social interaction. Remember, the host has to get paid, as does the company buying the jewelry. That means that you are going to get less for your pieces.

GoldMoney is a popular resource to use in gold buying efforts. It can be compared to "gold bank accounts." You just sign up for your account, fund it and then you will be assigned gold. Although you own the gold, it remains stored securely in the company's vaults. You can sell it, portion it out, or even (given the right conditions) arrange to take deliver of it yourself.

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 selling gold jewelry that is covered with other stones, never leave the gold dealer without those stones on you. Some shady dealers will try and pocket those gems so that they can sell them elsewhere. Even if you don't hink they're worth anything, it's best to get them before leaving.

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.

Selling your unwanted gold rings, bracelets and chains is an easy way to put some extra money in your pocket. It is also a great way to be kind to our planet. Used gold can be melted down, refined and then reused in beautiful new pieces without the need for mining new gold.

Hopefully these tips have given you a better idea of how to go about buying gold. Whether you are looking to invest in it to make money or just to collect beautiful pieces of jewelry, gold has lasting value. It usually goes up in value. Keep these tips in mind and start your own collection of gold today.