When Selling Your Gold Convenience Will Cost You, Why You Need a Professional Appraisal

From barber shops, to church halls, home parties to craft fairs, and even store fronts that have popped up in neighborhoods across the country, seemingly overnight, it's hard to miss the signs all around you. As the value of gold has sky-rocketed, so too has the number of people looking to buy gold and take advantage of those looking to cash in. Everywhere it seems there are places where you can bring your unwanted jewelry and walk away with money in your pocket. But beware, because what you can get in convenience can leave you less-the-richer in terms of the payment on the value of your gold.

When looking to sell your gold, it is important to get it evaluated by a professional jewelry appraiser. It may seem like an easy transaction, but there are factors involved when appraising jewelry that goes beyond just its weight in gold:

A professional jeweler has their reputation at stake. Look for a jewelry company that has been around for a number of years who will pay better because your repeat business is important to them.Gold prices fluctuate day-by-day. A professional appraiser will know today's value.In addition to simply weighing your gold, an appraiser will be able to identify its karat, or level of purityA reputable jeweler will explain how your gold is weighed, and how you will be paid (dollar amount per gram, troy ounce or pennyweight)If your piece is an antique, vintage jewelry or from a famous maker such as Tiffany, a professional jeweler will take that into consideration and pay you what its worth, not just by weight

If you'd like cash in your pocket, now is a great time to sell the gold you can part with. Make sure you get the price you deserve by doing your homework and dealing with a jeweler who has earned your trust. When you know that your gold was evaluated by a reputable jewelry appraiser for what it is truly worth (and not just thrown on a scale by a non-professional looking to cash in) you'll walk away with confidence that you haven't been taken advantage of. More importantly, you'll walk away with more money for your gold.