Gold bars, gold bullion, gold jewelry, gold coins, gold by the ounce, gold by the gram; it seems like everyone is buying gold or selling gold.
Maybe it’s not such a good sign when you consider gold as a hedge against inflation or financial disaster. Gold has had a great year, and it doesn’t appear that this will change anytime soon.
A survey completed in the summer 2o2o summarized that one in six Americans bought gold or other precious metals in the last three months, and about one in four were seriously thinking about it.
Gold Bugs
Are we all Gold Bugs? Borrowed from the title of the Edgar Allan Poe story “The Gold Bug” (1843), this label by the 1870s referred to anyone who favored basing the United States monetary system on gold and excluding silver. “Gold bug” (sometimes spelled “goldbug”) is a term in the financial sector of the world to describe someone who becomes highly bullish on the commodity gold for investment purposes or standard for measuring wealth.
Many young and older adults will buy and trade gold as part of their business and personal financial portfolio with the current gold market price. Both gold and silver market price is high. If you can buy gold and silver now, what will it be worth as things change in the economy?
The USA economy is turbulent right now, and people are concerned about inflation and the cost of goods. People want to find gold and silver to purchase to use these precious metals as a part of their financial portfolio and a hedge against inflation. Creating a portfolio that is diversified seems to be the best goal.
In this country, the US, there is a range that gold and silver sell for, and this changes daily. The spot price is the price the gold and silver sell for at market value. It is vital to check spot prices to buy and sell at the best prices.
The gold industry has competitive prices, and the gold industry itself is competitive. Establishing a relationship with a pawn shop or gold buyer is essential when you are buying to add to your financial portfolio.
It is vital to understand how gold bullion and other precious metals are bought and sold if you consider investing in them.
Troy Ounce
First, silver and gold bullion and other precious metals are weighed using a troy ounce equivalent to 31.1034768 grams, and an ounce is equal to 28.349 grams. The troy system is a system of units of mass that originated in the 15th century in England. The troy weight units are the grain, and the troy grain is equal to the grain unit of the avoirdupois system. The troy weight system is used in the special metals industry because it helps ensure purity and weight standards are consistently met.
Spot Prices
Second, it is essential to learn the spot price for gold and other metals you want to buy and sell. The spot price is an economic concept, and it is determined by supply and demand or the numbers of buyers and sellers interested in the precious metals being bought and sold and how much is available.
Limited availability + high demand = higher market value price for that commodity.
The name spot price comes from the “deal” being done on the “spot,” meaning it needs to be bought, paid for, and delivered immediately or “on the spot.”
Every day the spot price of precious metals goes up and down. The spot price of gold and silver is available online and is used to calculate the market prices of the precious metals you want to buy, sell, or trade. Goldcalc has a gold spot price calculator, making it easy to determine what your gold is worth. Don’t forget that all gold buyers have a premium deducted from the price.
Gold Purity
Gold has different purity. All gold spot prices are based on gold being 99.9% pure. 24k gold is considered “pure” gold without traces of other metals. 24k gold is soft and bright yellow. It is mainly used in gold bullion and gold coins because it scratches easily and, therefore not always a good choice for jewelry.
18k gold is 75% pure, 14k is 58.3% pure, and 10k is 41.7 pure. The weight of gold is measured in troy ounces; however, the purity of gold is The weight of gold is measured in troy ounces; however, its purity is measured in ‘carats.’ Since the spot price of gold is based on gold being 99.9% pure, the more other metals are in the gold, the less refined, the less it’s worth.
Gold has always been a part of the international monetary system, and gold coins were used before paper money. Around 550 BC, the first coins were struck in an area now known as Turkey. An earlier gold coin, the Ying yuan, was minted in ancient China, with the oldest ones being known from the 5th and 6th centuries BC. Some were large and used for high-value exchanges.
In the US, gold coins were used for commercial transactions from 1795 until 1880. The first gold coin struck in the United States was the 1787 Brasher Doubloon. The privately minted coin is one of the most important coins in American numismatic history. Ephraim Brasher made the unique coin along with six others. It was struck it was worth about $15.00 and was being sold at auction for 15 million dollars. If you were to find one of these, your investment portfolio is “golden.”
Investing in buying and selling gold coins is a relatively low-risk option because it offers security. Gold is a tangible asset that always seems to hold its market value. Gold coins will bring a slightly higher premium over spot price due to the extra costs associated with minting and the commemorative nature of their value.
Whether it is silver or gold or one of the other precious metals, bullion is a non-ferrous metal that has been refined to a high standard of purity. The term is ordinarily applied to the bulk metal used in the production of coins, and gold bullion is a refined and stamped weight of precious metal.
Like gold coins, gold bullion is considered a good investment. Gold bullion is also known as a gold bar or gold ingot. It consists of high-quality refined metallic gold of any shape made by a bar producer. It has to meet the standards and conditions of the manufacture, labeling, and record keeping. A mold is used for large gold bars, and the mold is called an ingot.
Gold bars and bullion are sold at spot price, just like any other gold. Bars and bullion are considered suitable for investment purposes because gold holds its value over time. Gold bars and bullion can typically be purchased and sold at a lower price premium.
Price Premiums
Premium over spot is a mark-up over the market price per ounce. Depending on precious metals, the premium over spot will differ. Typical price premiums for gold are about 5-8 percent. As mentioned above, the spot price of gold fluctuates daily in response to supply and demand. When there is more demand, premiums may be higher as well. This is due to fewer sellers willing to part with the precious metal. A premium is applied when a buyer wants to buy physical gold and take possession. The premium is the cost of production and distribution.
How Do You Decide to Buy Gold?
Research Gold and Buying Gold as an Investment Purposes
After researching and fact-finding about what is worth buying and what is worthless and a waste of time and money, decide what kind of gold you are interested in buying.
Doing some research and building your knowledge about gold, the types of gold, the forms of gold, and the services that produce gold sales will lead you to decide with confidence.
Take an Analysis of Your Financial Situation
Before you dive into buying gold, do an analysis of your current financial situation, your short-term goals, and your long-term goals. When purchasing precious metals for investment purposes, it is essential to remember all investments take time. Seldom do people buy gold for an investment and then turn around a sell it quickly for a fast dollar. Knowing what you have to invest in, watch gold prices past and current, and understand how to buy low so you can sell high. Contact gold buying experts to discuss your plans so you make good decisions on diversifying your investments for long-term secure investment purposes.
Decide on the form of gold you would like to buy.
Are you interested in gold bullion, bars, or coins? As you did your research, you can see that each form has its unique characteristics and purpose. Knowing this information will help you with your purchase.
Find a Reputable Gold Seller Who Has Precious Metals for Sale
Now you have to decide where to buy the gold from. Next, do your research and identify a reputable seller. US mints do not sell directly to the public; however, they have a list of Authorized Purchasers.
Reputable pawnshops like R&J Jewelry and Loan may be an option. People will come in and secure a collateral loan against their gold or coins and may default. If this happens, the gold becomes available for purchase. Also, the pawnshop buys gold outright. Customers have posted reviews and talked about how friendly, professional, and discreet R&J Jewelry and Loan’s gold buying process is.
R&J Jewelry and Loan inventory is vast and often changes, so make sure you phone ahead to see what is available. Established in 1978, R&J Jewelry and Loan is a family-owned pawnshop that built its reputation on personalized services. As a pawnshop that understands the value of gold and silver, they are happy to consult with you if you want to buy, sell, or pawn your luxury items. Of course, visit the pawnshops’ website, so you can see what others are saying about their reliable service.
Safe Storage Options
As the final step in your gold buying journey, research and prepare a place to store your gold. There are third-party storage options, vaults, and a safe or lockbox at home. Home safes can also be used for other purposes like storing essential papers, bonds, currency and money, silver, other precious metals, and more.
You want to account for the gold you have by keeping records and then having it stored in some reliable location where it is safe. Some gold owners want to display their gold and do some research. After all, this may pose a security risk because people may know how much and what type of gold you have. You certainly don’t want to entertain a thief.
Start Small with Silver Bullion, Silver Bars, and Silver Coins
As a new investor, investing a great deal of money into gold might be intimidating or scary. You certainly know after doing your research that gold values are high, and it will cost some money to invest. There are tools available to help you see the current spot price and calculate costs.
These same tools are available for silver. Silver holds its value as all precious metals; however, it is not nearly as expensive as gold. If you want to “practice” buying and selling precious metals, you could start with silver bullion, silver coins, or silver bars. There are on line services that include shipping, and again don’t forget to visit R&J Jewelry and Loan.
Start somewhere…Now is the time to invest!