Curious how to sell gold? You may have noticed the advertisements that offer you cash for selling your old gold jewelry. These ads are tempting, especially when you consider all the unworn jewelry you might own; however, these companies do not always offer the highest return. In fact, many of them are just offering you scrap gold rates, when you could be selling the jewelry at premium prices.

Understanding The Value Of Gold
It is likely that you already own some gold. Most people own gold in the form of jewelry. Gold is valued by its integrity. The purest form of gold is 24 karats, and it will bring in the most money. The least valued form of gold is 10 karats, which is diluted to 41.7% actual gold. Gold can be diluted even more than that, but most authentic gold jewelry ranges from 10 to 24 karats. You should be able to tell how many karats your jewelry is by looking closely at its hidden side. You should find a stamp that informs you of its purity.

The main reason why gold is so valuable is because it is so rare. It is estimated that, in all of recorded history, people have accumulated only approximately 120,000 metric tons of gold. This amount of gold would fit neatly into a 60 foot by 60 foot square cube.

However, the value of gold is constantly changing. Its value goes up when the value of the dollar goes down. When the dollar is in a downturn, many investors turn to gold as a reliable commodity. It is no wonder that many people are looking to sell their gold in exchange for a big pay day.

Selling Your Gold
For individuals, the only way to sell gold is physically; you’re not going to be able to sell shares of it as if you were a trader. You will need to find a buyer who is interested in the physical gold that you possess. Your gold could be in the form of coins, bullion, bars or jewelry. The easiest type of gold to sell, specifically for the individual, is a coin. Gold coins, particularly those created before 1933, are especially valued by gold dealers all over the world because these coins are collectibles and cannot be confiscated by the United States government in the event of an emergency. These coins are also easy to recognize and authenticate. Gold coins are relatively expensive to accumulate, but if you sell when the dollar is on a downswing, you can make a nice profit. Gold bullion and bars are likewise easy to sell, but they require a more detailed authentication process.

Jewelry is the hardest type of gold to sell, but it is the type of gold that most people own. Jewelry requires intense scrutiny, in the form of an appraisal. Jewelers usually charge a high fee for appraisals, and if they choose to purchase your jewelry, they will take this out of your profit. Be sure to know how much your jewelry is worth based on the current price of gold. Next, call and ask jewelers how much they pay for gold. Compare and make a deal based on who offers you the highest percentage of what it is worth. Be sure to deal with jewelers only, and always avoid pawn shops, which will definitely not give you the most value for your gold.