October 31, 2011 | Post by vgmokc

Pyrite: Fool’s Gold

Fool’s Gold!! There are quite a few minerals that have shiny or brassy appearances, but Pyrite (also known as Fool’s Gold) is the one that is most commonly mistaken for real Gold. Pyrite comes in many different varieties and has many different appearances; this is because it is a very common mineral in the Earth’s crust, so much so that it can be found in almost any environment.

Even though Fool’s Gold is extremely common, it is interestingly enough still very popular among rock collectors. This could be because Gold adoration throughout the world’s history has led some rock collectors be drawn to anything with the appearance of Gold, even if they know it isn’t real. Because Fool’s Gold is essentially worthless, it is probably best suited as a souvenir or an object with some kind of sentimental value.

One of the biggest reasons why Pyrite is frequently mistaken for real Gold is that, besides being similar in appearance, they are also often found in close proximity to one another. Actually, if you know what to look for it can be quite easy to tell the two apart: Pyrite is much lighter in color, less dense, and harder than Gold. In fact, pure Gold can be scratched easily with a knife or even with a fingernail.

Can YOU tell which one is real Gold and which one is for fools?

If you think you may have found a piece of real Gold, there are a few easy ways to tell whether it is actually Pyrite:
• First, try smelling the rock. This may seem like an unusual thing to do, but you may be surprised by what you find. Pyrite is comprised of a large amount of sulfur and will give off a smell that is similar to rotten eggs.
• Gold and pyrite both have an intense metallic luster, but they are very different shades of yellow. Gold appears more gold to silvery and will never tarnish, while pyrite is a pale to medium brassy yellow that may be tarnished.
• Gold is often found in the form of nuggets or very small flakes, with small cubic crystals being very rare. Pyrite on the other hand is commonly found in the form of small cubes and octahedrons. Essentially, if you are holding Gold with a lot of pointy edges, there is a good chance it is actually Pyrite.
• Finally, try holding the specimen up to the sun and see if it refracts the light, appearing very glittery. If it does, there is a very good chance that it is Fool’s Gold.

Looking for a real gold buyer in OKC? Call us today to schedule an appointment to sell your gold.

October 30, 2011 | Post by vgmokc

ATM Machines that Sell Gold Bars

In September 2010 we learned that Ex Oriente Luxe, a German company that builds and manages gold vending machines, had plans to install their machines in the US. The first Gold To Go machine was installed in the lobby of Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel, which has boasted that is the most luxurious hotel in the United Arab Emirates. The machine was designed by German entrepreneur Thomas Geisler who announced that all of the gold for the machines is imported from Germany.

In January 2011, just a few months after the machine’s introduction in Abu Dhabi, the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas installed America’s first gold ATM. The machine is painted a gleaming gold color that will attract potential customers from across the room and give them 320 items to choose from. The machine takes cash or credit card and dispenses small 24-karat bars ranging from 1 gram to 1 ounce, as well as coins like the South African Krugerrand, Australian Kangaroo, and the Canadian Maple Leaf. Through a computer system, the gold ATM checks and updates the gold price every 90 seconds to make sure customers get the most current prices.

Even though gold values are at all-time highs, gold is still in very high demand and its value will likely continue to rise. Currently there are two machines in the US, one in Las Vegas and one in Florida, which experts are watching closely in order to gauge whether there is a market for even more machines across the US. A spokeswoman for the Ex Oriente Luxe stated that there isn’t an exact commission that the company receives from the machines, but that the gold prices are slightly higher than market value.

If you have been considering investing your money in gold but were unsure where to begin, these machines might be the quickest and easiest way for you to do it. With gold currently selling for over $1,800 an ounce, your new gold won’t come cheap, but with gold prices continuing to rise, it may be a good investment. To sell gold in Oklahoma, contact us today to receive top dollar for your gold.

October 29, 2011 | Post by vgmokc

Gold Jewelry Through the Ages

Gold began being worn as jewelry all the way back in ancient Egyptian times, as early as 2,600 BC. Egyptians struck gold and became the world’s first gold miners, placing them among the world’s wealthiest and establishing gold as the standard for international trade. Back then, everyone wore jewelry weather they were rich or poor, but only the wealthy could afford to wear gold jewelry. Wealthy men and women alike wore gold necklaces, bracelets, amulets, headdresses, anklets, and rings. Also, because of religious customs, their gold jewelry was often buried with them.

Like the Egyptians, Americans have always worn gold jewelry as a symbol of wealth, though not to the same extent. In 1971 President Nixon closed the “gold window” by ending the US dollar’s convertibility to gold, but people have still continued to wear gold jewelry. Even people who are unable to afford gold jewelry have adorned themselves in fake gold, to achieve the same look as the wealthy who wear real gold. This is especially true now that the value of gold has reached record-breaking highs.

From the 1930s to the 1950s, retro gold styles were very unique and did not appeal to everyone. Designs were often one of a kind and made completely by hand. Many pieces were large and bulky in design, such as three dimensional charms, and included matching accessories such as earrings, rings, and broaches.

Since the 1950s, gold jewelry has remained very popular in the fashion industry, but has also been outshined by silver and platinum pieces. It had a brief boom during the 1980s as people adorned themselves in gold bangles and large gold necklaces, and then in about 2005 it began making it latest comeback, probably due to the ever-rising value of gold. The benefits of wearing yellow gold are unbeatable; it never tarnishes and never loses its original look, while white gold and silver sometimes do.

When it comes to this year’s jewelry, yellow gold is all the rage. Timeless and elegant, stylish chunky yellow gold bracelets and necklaces are sure to add a touch of trendiness to any outfit. Last quarter, jewelry retailers reported an increase in demand for stylish, high-end yellow gold luxury jewelry pieces. Diamond encrusted yellow gold cuff bracelets are also in style, along with yellow gold stud earrings and heart shaped yellow gold pendants. Indeed, it seems this year’s jewelry trends are all about the bling.

If you are looking to sell gold in Oklahoma, contact us today to receive top dollar for your gold.

October 28, 2011 | Post by vgmokc

When to Buy and Sell Your Silver

Opportunities to sell scrap gold have been popping up all over the place recently, and it seems like this has made people forget that selling silver is also a great way to make money.

Silver Outperforming Gold?

Since 2001, the value of gold has been appreciating quickly, more than quintupling in price, but what many people don’t realize is that the value of silver has actually recently outperformed the value of gold. In fact, from January 2010 to June 2011, the value of gold increased 34% while the value of silver increased more than 100%.

One of the great things about precious metals is that their value continues to climb. In the last 50 years, the value of silver has barely fallen more than a few points on three occasions. This means that silver will continue to hold its value as the value of the US dollar falls.

Thoughts of Investing?

What is interesting about silver is that its value does not depend on the economy the way gold does. That is, while gold prices go up during tough economic times, the value of gold is more dependent on industrial usage. Today, market demand for silver is growing while supplies are disappearing. It is likely that new high-tech uses for silver will exacerbate this problem and the value of silver will rise even higher.

You are probably familiar with the “buy low, sell high” idiom, and because you already own your silver, buying low is not going to be a problem. If you are looking to sell your silver, the markets are high right now and you can probably make some good money. However, because the value of silver is expected to continue to rise in the coming years, it is also probably a great time to invest in silver. Of course, no one can say for sure what the market will look like over the next few years, but silver’s prospects are certainly looking good.

For more information on how to sell gold in Oklahoma City contact Valley Goldmine OKC today for a FREE appraisal. (405-796-4993)

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/schumachers-scuderia-ferrari-f1-motorhome-sells-for-134400-39946.html

October 24, 2011 | Post by vgmokc

How to Find the Best Gold Nuggets for Sale

When buying gold, especially with the current value of gold being so high, it is very easy to get ripped off. The best way to arm yourself against cash for gold scams is to do your research and know what you are looking for ahead of time. When it comes to gold nuggets, it is very important to know your different screen and mesh sizes.

Mesh refers to the openings between the threads of a screen and it is measured by the number of openings per inch. So if you are using a mesh screen like this one to look for gold, and there are 10 holes or openings per square inch, that would be 10 mesh. The larger your gold’s mesh number is, the more fine-grained it is. Large nuggets will not pass through the holes of a screen so they are obviously more valuable.

Gold nuggets are valued differently than other forms of gold such as raw gold, scrap gold, and gold in coin form. If you are trying to sell your gold nuggets, the purchaser would determine their value based on not only their weight and purity, but also their shine, luster, purity, and origin. For this reason, if you are thinking about purchasing a gold nugget, you should look at its shine, luster, purity, and find out where it came from before you decide to buy.

People who collect gold might be looking for a nugget that is a particular shape or size, and they will hunt until they find the right one and also be willing to pay more money for it. For example, if you found a nugget that was shaped like a letter of the alphabet that had some significance to you, you would probably be willing to buy it for more than it was worth. As long as you are happy with your purchase and don’t feel like you have spent too much money, you have probably made a good investment.