Gold has been a favorite investment vehicle of the wealthy since time immemorial. In fact, 
of all the precious metals, gold ranks at the top for many investors. Gold is portable, fungible, and can be exchanged virtually anywhere in the world. Nearly everyone has their own style of investing in gold, but the method that is best for you will depend on factors such as how much you have to invest, the amount of risk you can tolerate, your financial goals, and the length of time you intend to hold gold in your investment account.
Before you buy gold in Idaho be sure you understand how the gold market works and what you need to look out for. This guide, Buying Gold, can help you make better purchases. The book will tell you how gold dealers work and how they make their money. Knowing that, you will be in a better position to make smart buys.
Methods of Investing in Gold
Collecting scrap. Many people in Idaho start out in gold investing by collecting gold scrap. This method involves very low risk with a potential of high return. It’s an ideal way to get started, especially if your goal is to invest for a rainy day.This method is done by asking friends and family members if they have gold they are looking to get rid of. Another method is to advertise in Idaho for those who want to sell their gold items. Be sure to watch gold auctions, and make yourself known to pawn shops and similar businesses in Idaho so they will call you when they encounter those who wish to sell gold or another precious metal that they are not interested in keeping any longer
Buy gold bullion. If you are looking to make a long-term investment in gold, bullion might be for you. Bullion means the item is valued based primarily on the gold it is made from. Central banks around the world buy gold as a hedge against economic instability. In periods of high inflation the value of gold in that local currency tends to rise over time. When the price of gold rises with inflation it is functioning as an excellent investment, perhaps offsetting losses taken elsewhere in your portfolio.
Buy gold bars. You can also buy gold in Idaho in bar form. These are usually between 99.5 and 99.99 percent fine. The most popular gold refineries are PAMP, Johnson Matthey, Credit Suisse, and Metalor. You can see where gold bars come from by looking for the stamp placed on the bars by the refiner.
Buy gold jewelry. Gold jewelry is less likely to be a good investment to make. The major downside of gold 
jewelry is that you pay a premium for the craftsmanship in addition to the actual gold. Another disadvantage of buying gold jewelry as an investment is that anything below 14 karats is below investment quality, so it would need to be refined before being suitable for the investment market in gold. On the other hand, estate sales and other venues around Idaho often have gold jewelry for sale at very low prices, which can lead to very good value. Further, older pieces can be very valuable not only because of the gold, but because of the craftsmanship as well. Buying gold in this way can be profitable and fun.
Choose your weight. Obviously, the heavier the gold product is that you buy, the more it will cost. It pays for you to determine beforehand the amount of gold you want to buy. It is also an important consideration when you decide how you are going to store the gold after you buy it. It stands to reason that if you buy a larger amount, you probably won’t want to keep it in your home without a safe. Larger sizes above one ounce can be harder to sell than the one ounce sized coins and rounds. “Rounds” is the term given to coins that are not marked for circulation as currency.
Determine the current price. Before you make any gold purchase you should check the price of gold on the online market, not just the pricing from shops around Idaho. This is one of the best ways to determine whether you are getting a good buy for any gold that you want to purchase. You will pay a small premium over the spot price when you buy gold coins or bullion bars. Contact at least three dealers to check prices to ensure you are getting full value for your money.
Buying from dealers. Always plan to pay at least spot market prices plus a premium of 1 percent. 
Make sure that you get a receipt for your purchase. Also make sure that you get a date for when your gold will arrive. If you buy your gold at an auction, plan on paying a buyer premium as well as sales tax. There are many gold dealers online. That is a great way to easily check prices and ensure you are dealing with a top-tier company. Here is a list of gold companies with ratings and reviews.
Be storage safe. Your investment in physical gold needs to be stored in a safe place. After all, no matter how good the price was that you paid, it’s of no value if someone comes in and takes it from you. You should always make sure that your gold is stored in a safe or safety deposit box in Idaho or a nearby location. You can also pay a company to store it for you.
Buying Gold Futures
If you are willing to assume a higher risk for your investment, you might want to consider 
investing in gold futures. Basically speaking, gold futures allow an investor to profit from movements in the price of gold at a future date. There are many savvy investors who make considerable amounts of money with futures, although these are far from beginners in the game. Investing in gold futures requires you to understand how the futures markets work and you need to understand the price trends in gold correctly.
Investing in precious metals futures. If you decide that you want to try gold futures, open an account at a commodities trading firm. By investing in futures, you can control a larger amount of gold than you have cash to cover it. You can use leverage, Be sure that you invest no more than you can afford to lose, since if the price drops, you will need to pay your loss as well as any commissions that are added.
Buying a gold futures contract. Agreeing to purchase futures is a legally binding contract. For this, you sign a contract stating that you will buy your gold at a future price. Buying futures is done in one of two ways, via COMDEX (Commodity Exchange) and the Chicago Board of Trade (e-CBOT).
When your contract ends. Now it’s a waiting game. When your contract ends you can determine whether you can collect your earnings or pay your losses. This is not an investment or trading method for beginners.
Buying ETFs
Exchange Traded Funds, also called ETFs, are a way to track the price of gold or another precious metal. 
ETFs can be purchased at your local stock broker or through your online trading account. ETFs differ from other gold investing in that you do not own the underlying metal you are investing in.
There are a number of ETFs to choose from. Here are some of the ticker symbols to consider: GLD – SPDR Gold Trust, IAU – iShares Gold Trust, SGOL – ETFS Physical Swiss Gold Shares, DGL – PowerShares DB Gold Fund, and DGP – PowerShares DB Gold Double Long ETN. There are many other gold ETFs to consider.
Why Invest in Gold?
Just as is the case with any investing, the first thing you should determine before you invest is why you are doing so. Your investing goals will help you determine how you reach them. Fortunately, for many investors, gold has proven to be an excellent way to reach their investment goals. Armed with some knowledge about what you are doing and some sound advice from a qualified advisor in Idaho, investing in gold can be of great benefit to your portfolio.
Many people have looked at the state of the financial markets and the massive money printing by the US Federal Reserve Bank and have then set-up a gold IRA to hold a portion of their retirement or investment accounts. Some see a holding of physical gold in an IRA as “central bank insurance”. That’s to protect their wealth should the central bank not be able to manage the massive currency printing that is occurring and the explosion in the balance sheet of the Federal Reserve.
There are a number of useful links on this page, Give them a look to help you better understand the gold market and more wisely invest in gold.
Where to Buy Gold, Silver and Precious Metals in Idaho
Idaho is a great place to buy gold, silver and other precious metals. With its rich history of mining and its abundance of natural resources, Idaho is a great place to invest in precious metals.
Gold and silver have been mined in Idaho since the mid-1800s, when prospectors first discovered gold in the Boise Basin. Since then, Idaho has become a major producer of gold, silver, and other precious metals. The state is home to several major gold and silver mines, including the Coeur d’Alene Mine, the Silver Valley Mine, and the Bunker Hill Mine.
When it comes to buying gold, silver and other precious metals in Idaho, there are several options available. You can purchase coins, bars, and rounds from local coin dealers, or you can purchase bullion from online dealers. You can also purchase gold and silver through a self-directed IRA, which allows you to invest in physical gold and silver.
If you are looking for a local coin dealer in Idaho, there are several to choose from. The Idaho Coin Exchange in Boise is a great place to start. They have a wide selection of coins, bars, and rounds, and they offer competitive prices. The Idaho Coin Exchange also offers appraisals, numismatic services, and coin collecting supplies.
If you are looking for an online dealer, there are several reputable companies that offer gold, silver, and other precious metals.
If you are looking to invest in gold and silver through a self-directed IRA, there are several companies that offer this service. Check out the company shown on this page. They can do this.
No matter where you choose to buy gold, silver, and other precious metals in Idaho, it is important to do your research and make sure you are dealing with a reputable dealer. With the right research and a little bit of patience, you can find the perfect place to buy gold, silver, and other precious metals in Idaho.
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