Storage: Physical gold requires a secure storage location.If you decide to buy physical gold, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind: Factors to Consider When Buying Physical Gold You’ll want to make sure you have as much documentation as possible so you’re able to attest to the quality of your gold when you resell it. You might start with jewelers who are members of the Jewelers of America and have signed a code of professional conduct requiring them to be honest and forthcoming about the nature of their pieces. Make sure the person you purchase your jewelry from is reputable. Here’s how gold quality (measured in karats) correlates with purity.Īs with coins, you’ll want to be extra careful when buying gold jewelry. Manufacturers use alloys that combine gold with other metals to make their pieces more durable or adjust their color.

In addition, keep in mind that not all that glitters is gold. But like gold coins, you’ll probably be paying extra for the amount of gold you’re actually getting-a premium that could be anywhere from 20% to 300%, depending on the manufacturer. Jewelry, especially antique pieces, can provide another avenue for buying gold. Whether you buy your gold coins in-person or online, you don’t want to waste money on forgeries or gold that’s less pure than you’re led to believe. If you choose to buy your gold coins online, make sure to go through a dealer listed in the U.S.

You can buy gold coins through dealers, pawnshops and individual sellers that you trust. In fact, the coin weighs 1.1 ounces, approximately one ounce of which is pure gold the rest of the weight is silver and copper. A one-ounce American Eagle coin, for instance, is only 91.67% gold. This means you’ll probably pay a premium over what you would for the same amount of gold in the form of bullion.Ĭoins typically have lower gold content than gold bars. Gold coins, like the American Gold Eagle or Canadian Maple Leaf, are popular collectables.

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