One of the most pertinent questions nowadays for anyone holding a position in gold is whether they should wait for prices to increase or jump at the chance to liquidate their investments at unheard of prices and be assured of healthy returns. The uncertainty and turbulence being experienced by financial markets and developed economies has prompted a ‘flight to safety’ for investors as they seek to protect their investments in less volatile commodities.

This tremendous increase in demand has also led to further spiraling of prices. Right now it looks unlikely that the global upheaval we are now witnessing could be set right in a few years. The US Dollar and the Japanese Yen have yet to show the kind of resiliency that would be expected of a global currency. For the lack of a viable alternative, investors, for better or worse, have chosen gold as the global currency. So as a gold, silver and precious metal owner you have some valuable resources at your fingertips. However, how do you know if it is wise to hold on to your gold jewelry, bullion, coins or ingots or if it is a better option to sell them for cash before the process drop out.

Some of the following points should be kept in mind if you deem this to be the right time to liquidate your hard-earned investments and/or personal trinkets. As always, read all that you can but in the end, decide what feels right to you as it relates to your personal financial situation and individual needs.

1. Examine the type of gold that you are selling and the form it takes. Is it in the form of jewelry, bullion or rare coins? Gaining knowledge and reading up on different types of gold and what prices they fetch in the open market would go a long way in ensuring that you get top dollar for your investments. As an example, it may be better to sell rare gold coins to a coin collector than to your local jeweler or pawn shop.

2. Differentiating between bullion and rarity gold will also reap you benefits in the long run. Reputable dealers are more willing to value your goods fairly. Interestingly, if you hold both bullion and rarity gold it would be advisable to offload bullion first. Bullion tends to fluctuate more in value than rarity gold which retains its valuation in choppy times.

3. Deciding how much of your gold to sell and how much to hold on to is crucial in optimizing your portfolio of investments and your personal assets. Sometimes you just need money to pay for bills, food and other expenses, and as valuable as your gold and silver holdings might be on paper, cash is often king.

4. Discuss your options with a reputable local Gold and Silver buyer. While no-one of course can predict the future of the gold, silver and precious metal markets, professionals in the industry make it their job to watch trends, keep an eye on markets, and keep abreast of possible issues that might make the price of precious metals rise or fall.