What you need to know before investing in Precious Metals

The change in the price of gold and silver reflects popular feeling as the to stability of the world economic system, and at this point the soundness of the United States Dollar.  Since the end of WW II the US Dollar has been the bedrock of the world economic system [prior to the war, it was the British Pound for 100+ years]  The crash of 2008 greatly undermined world wide faith in the entire system, and the dollar in particular.   Which lead a run up in the prices of precious metals.   The silver market is especially volatile, since it is not as transparent as the gold markets, and groups of individuals can cause a price run up.  There have been a number of instances where this has occurred.  When the price of silver started getting really unnaturally high, [in the $50 ozt range] the exchanges decided to up the deposit requirement to purchase option contracts by about four times the previous amount.  This immediately drove thousands of day trading speculators out of the market, and the price plummeted. Silver is not a great arena in which to invest because of these reasons unless you really know what you are doing.

The price of gold is still high according to historical levels, but I think it also reflects the market’s consideration that the number of dollars in circulation is vastly larger than it was just seven years ago, and therefore the price of gold reflects that increase. The dollar is still the foundation of the world economic system, and has gotten stronger relative to other currencies in the last few years.  This does not mean that the US economy is doing well, it just means that the rest of the world trusts the US Government to pay its bills more than other nations, therefore the dollar is primary.  Once you see another major nation’s economy start to be very vibrant, and its currency starts increasing in value and the dollar falling, then the price of gold will go up since the world market is priced in US Dollars.

 You can buy gold and silver in numerous manners.  You can buy it through electronic trading like a stock, or you can buy it from smaller companies who will store it for you for a fee, or you can buy it from a coin shop are metals dealer.  Depending on what you want it for will determine the best place to buy.   If you are of the belief that the world order could rapidly fall apart and you want to be sure to have something physical of value that you can use to acquire goods and services, then an electronic form of gold makes no sense.  Similarly it would do you no good to have it stored away from you.  However there are great risks in owning physical gold and storing it safely.  It is not traceable so if you have it about your home and some one finds it and takes it, its gone.  So those are some of the considerations one should take into account when deciding if  buying precious metals is right for you.

Note:  If you want to trade in precious metals, like you would a stock, then electronic ownership is the best way to go.

 You can invest in any type of commodity there is, and all precious metals are commodities. Silver has the lowest cost so it is the easiest to buy.  Right now platinum is lower than gold which is an historical inversion that has only happened  a few times in history.  That means that one of the two is vastly over valued or the other is undervalued.   Platinum is a critical metal for catalytic converters for internal combustion engines.  So one might infer that since world wide demand for new vehicles is down that if the world’s economy starts really going then the need for platinum will increase.

If you would like to learn more about precious metals and investing and historical charts, you should really study the site www.kitco.com, it is one the primary resources for the trade.

10 Things to Know When Selling Your Gold

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As one of Houston’s Top Gold Buyers, we want our consumers to be well informed to make the best financial decisions when selling their gold. Your prized possessions that are now outdated, broken, or are unable to be passed down to younger generations can generate extra money in your pocket. Whether you are selling Gold, Platinum, Sterling Silver or your loose diamonds, Houston Jewelry is the perfect place to go.

Here are a few tips to consider before selling your Gold or Precious Metals:

1. Prices are calculated based on current market value. This value can fluctuate daily, as well as hourly. When selling your items it is advised to check the current market prices before you come in to sell your items.

2. The metal content and weight of your items are considered in the price. It is imperative that when selling your items you go to a location that has the proper equipment to evaluate both of these factors.

3. If your items include diamonds or precious stones, there is a chance your items will be more valuable, this also applies to pieces that may be considered categorically vintage, designer, or collectible.

4. It is important to find a buyer who can test your metal. At Houston Jewelry, we use an instrument called a Spectrometer. This instrument can tell us the exact metal content and karat of your pieces.

5. It is important to go to a buyer who follows the guidelines and laws of their respective city, state, and all Federal regulations.

6. Take into consideration that most establishments will purchase your items with the intent of melting it down. If your item is sentimental you should reconsider selling it as once it is melted you will not be able to get it back.

7. Although your item may seem worth an enormous amount to you, it is essential that as the consumer you understand you will not be offered retail value in most scenarios.

8. We encourage consumers to visit more than one gold buyer when considering selling their metals. This will ensure that you are getting the best price for your items.

9. When selling your items you may want to inquire ahead of time the method of payment you will receive for your metals. Some people pay cash, while others strictly issue checks.

10. The law requires that you will need identification to sell you items, and it is advised that if you have paperwork, certificates, or receipts for your items you should bring them to the transaction as this information may increase the final price.