Gold Investment - 2006 Is Another Year Of Big Rally
Spot Gold price has been keep rising for the past years (2001 - 2005). Will it continue to rise in 2006? Most of the analyst say a definite "yes" this question, now the question has turned to be "How much do you think Gold price can reach?"
Someone mentioned it can reach US00 per ounce. I am reservative on this number but I think 00 is really possible. Today the gold price close at 0. Still another 0 to go !!
1) The Gold market has been bear for about 20 years. The rally has just started and very seldom will finish within a short period of time.
2) China demand for Gold is getting more and more, and supplies are starting to get short. Gold storage is always limited in the world. It will only get harder and harder to mine gold. When supply is short while demand is strong, price will naturally goes up.
3) US dollar will top very soon once the interest rate stops increasing. Weak dollar will benefit Gold price.
4) Gold is always a shelter for capital. If in any case the country becomes unstable, risk of war, or ecomony becomes worse. Investors tends to buy more gold instead of stocks.
5) It is quite clear that Gold is in Bull market cycle. It normally has 3 phases, and it is probably running the 2nd phase. In the 3rd phase, gold price will boost up and everyone will be crazy about buying gold. When this starts to happen, it is a signal the gold bull market is ending very soon.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Wear Your Best Gold To Go Shoot
If you are looking for a gold necklace, there are so many different styles and fashions to choose from it can be confusing. A gold chain necklace is very versatile and goes with nearly any fashion you want to wear. If you prefer a smooth and delicate look or even a bolder look, you can achieve this by choosing the right texture chain. The 18-carat Venetian link gold necklace is elegant with its yellow box-chain necklace. It is about 18 inches long and 1/8 of an inch wide, and it fastens with a lobster clasp. You may also want to consider an 18-carat yellow gold two-tone twisted rope necklace. It is very attractive with the yellow gold sitting next to white. The rope enhances both colors, making the white strand virtually sparkle. These are as well 18 inches long and fastened with a lobster clasp.
If you like gold necklaces, you may want to look at the 17-inch long 14-carat gold graduated bead necklace with its 14-carat polished, yellow gold beads that are 4 mm at the back of your neck and 8 mm at the front. Or how about the 14-carat yellow gold hollow Palma chain with its elongated graduated loops and 14 carat yellow gold on an 18-inch long necklace. It is simply gorgeous! If you are doing a photo shoot, this is the one to wear!
Another wonderful gold necklace that combines texture and polished elegance is the 18-carat gold Byzantine necklace. Woven from 18-carat yellow gold links, the texture that is produced with this mix is simply stunning and worth a look! You may also want a look at a 10-carat gold reversible, two-tone necklace. It has a great sleek, neck-hugging appearance. Either way you look at it, gold necklaces are beautiful including the 14-carat gold meshed necklace with a 17-inch long chain. It offers you lots of texture. Combine this with a lot of design and you have a very fine looking piece of jewelry.
If you are looking for a gold necklace, there are so many different styles and fashions to choose from it can be confusing. A gold chain necklace is very versatile and goes with nearly any fashion you want to wear. If you prefer a smooth and delicate look or even a bolder look, you can achieve this by choosing the right texture chain. The 18-carat Venetian link gold necklace is elegant with its yellow box-chain necklace. It is about 18 inches long and 1/8 of an inch wide, and it fastens with a lobster clasp. You may also want to consider an 18-carat yellow gold two-tone twisted rope necklace. It is very attractive with the yellow gold sitting next to white. The rope enhances both colors, making the white strand virtually sparkle. These are as well 18 inches long and fastened with a lobster clasp.
If you like gold necklaces, you may want to look at the 17-inch long 14-carat gold graduated bead necklace with its 14-carat polished, yellow gold beads that are 4 mm at the back of your neck and 8 mm at the front. Or how about the 14-carat yellow gold hollow Palma chain with its elongated graduated loops and 14 carat yellow gold on an 18-inch long necklace. It is simply gorgeous! If you are doing a photo shoot, this is the one to wear!
Another wonderful gold necklace that combines texture and polished elegance is the 18-carat gold Byzantine necklace. Woven from 18-carat yellow gold links, the texture that is produced with this mix is simply stunning and worth a look! You may also want a look at a 10-carat gold reversible, two-tone necklace. It has a great sleek, neck-hugging appearance. Either way you look at it, gold necklaces are beautiful including the 14-carat gold meshed necklace with a 17-inch long chain. It offers you lots of texture. Combine this with a lot of design and you have a very fine looking piece of jewelry.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Why Asia Owns America
The Forgotten Benefits of the Gold Standard
One of the benefits of the gold standard, long forgotten, was that it acted to regulate imbalances in trade. Under the gold standard, trade imbalances between countries were unsustainable because they would self correct over time. Here is an example of how that worked: When a country would export more than it imported, it would accumulated more gold. That is because it could take the surplus foreign currency received in trade and convert it to gold.
As you have learned, when gold entered a country from outside its borders, it always caused inflation. That is because the surplus of gold (money) relative to the goods and services available for purchase always bids up those prices. When a country's goods become more expensive, they also become less attractive to its trading partners. As a result, the country cannot export as much as it once could.
Back in the days of the gold standard, more gold would then flow out of the country than would come in, because imports would exceed exports. Because of less gold in the country, prices would eventually decline to where they had been originally.
World War I began in 1914, although the United States did not enter the war until 1917. In the early years of the war, England and France depended heavily on the United States to provide them with arms. As a result, gold flowed into the Unites States, while arms flowed out. The incoming gold allowed the banks to loan more money, causing the money supply in the U.S. to increase by nearly 50 percent during the period 1914 -1917.
When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, England and France had all but exhausted their supplies of gold. As a favor to England and France, the U.S. suspended the gold standard and began providing armaments on credit. Additionally, the U.S. printed money to provide for its own troops. During the next three years, the money supply again increased by almost 50 percent. When the war was over, the Allies looted Germany. With the spoils, England and France paid back their loans to the United States. As a result, even more gold flowed into the United States.
The Forgotten Benefits of the Gold Standard
One of the benefits of the gold standard, long forgotten, was that it acted to regulate imbalances in trade. Under the gold standard, trade imbalances between countries were unsustainable because they would self correct over time. Here is an example of how that worked: When a country would export more than it imported, it would accumulated more gold. That is because it could take the surplus foreign currency received in trade and convert it to gold.
As you have learned, when gold entered a country from outside its borders, it always caused inflation. That is because the surplus of gold (money) relative to the goods and services available for purchase always bids up those prices. When a country's goods become more expensive, they also become less attractive to its trading partners. As a result, the country cannot export as much as it once could.
Back in the days of the gold standard, more gold would then flow out of the country than would come in, because imports would exceed exports. Because of less gold in the country, prices would eventually decline to where they had been originally.
World War I began in 1914, although the United States did not enter the war until 1917. In the early years of the war, England and France depended heavily on the United States to provide them with arms. As a result, gold flowed into the Unites States, while arms flowed out. The incoming gold allowed the banks to loan more money, causing the money supply in the U.S. to increase by nearly 50 percent during the period 1914 -1917.
When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, England and France had all but exhausted their supplies of gold. As a favor to England and France, the U.S. suspended the gold standard and began providing armaments on credit. Additionally, the U.S. printed money to provide for its own troops. During the next three years, the money supply again increased by almost 50 percent. When the war was over, the Allies looted Germany. With the spoils, England and France paid back their loans to the United States. As a result, even more gold flowed into the United States.
E-Currency: If Forest Gump Was Here, This Is What He Would Be Doing
So you want to learn currency exchange huh?
You heard about it and now you decided you want to become the Donald Trump of investing, somehow you know you can pull this off and become the next big thing.
Well it's quite possible to earn a very good living doing exchanges, but you have to know how the system works before you start seeing the money.
One system that is one of the internet's best kept gems is E-Currency Exchange. The money that is being moved through the internet in every single daily purchase needs to be backed up in gold. This is were you come in.
When you invest your money in e currency exchange your money acts as a backup or insurance that the money being exchanged has real physical money. This transactions are happening everyday, and when you provide that backup you earn a percentage proporcional to the amount you are investing.
E-currency exchange has been around for a few years but it hasn't been until recently people are starting to catch up to the beauty of this system. Is actually a very safe way to generate an income once you understand how to work the system to your advantage.
You can actually see how much money you're going to make even before start your transaction. These transactions are also called 24 hour periods. You generate around 1.5% to 4% of daily interests for your money. At first that may not sound that impressive but that is daily compounded interest, so if you were to leave your money working for you and check back in a month an a half, you would find that it has doubled. That is the beauty of currency exchange.
Another great thing about this system is that, like anyone who is generating a nice income doing this can tell you, it requires no more than an hour a day to manage once youre setup. This means more time for lifestyle and living the way it should be lived.
I highly recommend anyone who is serious about investing to learn how to work this system. There are two ways: The easy way and the "do it yourself" way. I recommend to take the first one. Learn how the system works from a e currency exchange professional and you could make some money within two days. There are even some really good programs were everything is through video and all you do is watch and do what you see.
So you want to learn currency exchange huh?
You heard about it and now you decided you want to become the Donald Trump of investing, somehow you know you can pull this off and become the next big thing.
Well it's quite possible to earn a very good living doing exchanges, but you have to know how the system works before you start seeing the money.
One system that is one of the internet's best kept gems is E-Currency Exchange. The money that is being moved through the internet in every single daily purchase needs to be backed up in gold. This is were you come in.
When you invest your money in e currency exchange your money acts as a backup or insurance that the money being exchanged has real physical money. This transactions are happening everyday, and when you provide that backup you earn a percentage proporcional to the amount you are investing.
E-currency exchange has been around for a few years but it hasn't been until recently people are starting to catch up to the beauty of this system. Is actually a very safe way to generate an income once you understand how to work the system to your advantage.
You can actually see how much money you're going to make even before start your transaction. These transactions are also called 24 hour periods. You generate around 1.5% to 4% of daily interests for your money. At first that may not sound that impressive but that is daily compounded interest, so if you were to leave your money working for you and check back in a month an a half, you would find that it has doubled. That is the beauty of currency exchange.
Another great thing about this system is that, like anyone who is generating a nice income doing this can tell you, it requires no more than an hour a day to manage once youre setup. This means more time for lifestyle and living the way it should be lived.
I highly recommend anyone who is serious about investing to learn how to work this system. There are two ways: The easy way and the "do it yourself" way. I recommend to take the first one. Learn how the system works from a e currency exchange professional and you could make some money within two days. There are even some really good programs were everything is through video and all you do is watch and do what you see.
Monday, February 12, 2007
World of Warcraft - How to Get the Maximum Gold?
World of Warcraft is one game that can be worked around if one has a lot of Gold. Gold possession is the most important aspect of playing. Gold is the basic foundation of your existence in the game. To buy items form other players and vendors, you need gold. To get training and acquire new skills from the trainer, you need gold. Gold enhances your character in World of Warcraft as in any other MMORPG game.
The most important factor that contributes to building your character in World of Warcraft is to become a professional early i.e. to take up or grab a profession like skinning or mining. Killing animals and selling their skin to others is a profitable profession that rakes in gold as well as moulds your character by leveling out, two birds with one arrow. Mining, similarly can give you unexpected mounds of valuable or demanded mineral ores that can be sold for a premium to make a killing profit and enhance your profession as well. That is the value of profession and its contribution to your character building.
World of Warcraft undoubtedly integrates the best questing compared to other MMORPG games. Quests can be used to give you a huge advantage over others. Always get hold of a quest whenever you can. Leveling a quest takes little time, but EXP gained from killings in the quest and the rewards of completing a quest have their distinct advantages like gaining some important items and of course money. Add on bonuses of quest completion can lend you greater speed and better character through becoming richer.
Usage of gears in World of Warcraft is certainly advantageous but will deplete your gold resources heavily. Investing in gears in the initial levels from 1 to 40 would not be worth the gold spent. These levels have lesser gear dependency and you can complete these levels from what you gain from the quests. Keep the gold and wisely invest in higher level gears.
Keep track and observe the drops of your kills. Humanoids in World of Warcraft drop more items and gold compared to other mobs, so, level yourself killing as many humanoids as you can.
The bottom-line is Gold, the more you have, the better off you would be, World of Warcraft or not. All the best
World of Warcraft is one game that can be worked around if one has a lot of Gold. Gold possession is the most important aspect of playing. Gold is the basic foundation of your existence in the game. To buy items form other players and vendors, you need gold. To get training and acquire new skills from the trainer, you need gold. Gold enhances your character in World of Warcraft as in any other MMORPG game.
The most important factor that contributes to building your character in World of Warcraft is to become a professional early i.e. to take up or grab a profession like skinning or mining. Killing animals and selling their skin to others is a profitable profession that rakes in gold as well as moulds your character by leveling out, two birds with one arrow. Mining, similarly can give you unexpected mounds of valuable or demanded mineral ores that can be sold for a premium to make a killing profit and enhance your profession as well. That is the value of profession and its contribution to your character building.
World of Warcraft undoubtedly integrates the best questing compared to other MMORPG games. Quests can be used to give you a huge advantage over others. Always get hold of a quest whenever you can. Leveling a quest takes little time, but EXP gained from killings in the quest and the rewards of completing a quest have their distinct advantages like gaining some important items and of course money. Add on bonuses of quest completion can lend you greater speed and better character through becoming richer.
Usage of gears in World of Warcraft is certainly advantageous but will deplete your gold resources heavily. Investing in gears in the initial levels from 1 to 40 would not be worth the gold spent. These levels have lesser gear dependency and you can complete these levels from what you gain from the quests. Keep the gold and wisely invest in higher level gears.
Keep track and observe the drops of your kills. Humanoids in World of Warcraft drop more items and gold compared to other mobs, so, level yourself killing as many humanoids as you can.
The bottom-line is Gold, the more you have, the better off you would be, World of Warcraft or not. All the best
How The Hobby of Collecting Coins Began
Very few things tell more about a country in fewer words than the coins it produces. Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin. With so much information and beauty contained in so small a package, it is no surprise that coin collecting has been a hobby nearly as long as the concept of coins themselves. An understanding of the long history of coin collecting, once known as the hobby of kings, will make this pastime even more enjoyable.
The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting
The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C. Before that time, gold and silver ingots were the most common form of legal tender. Because there was no standard, however, each trade necessitated a careful weighing and examination of the precious metals being offered, and it was easy for unscrupulous merchants to pass off a lesser quality of gold in trade. Coins, which were printed on standardized weights of precious metals and stamped with a government guarantee of value, was the answer to this unwieldy, easily sabotaged trading process. Within one hundred years, the concept of coins had been adopted by all of the major trading cities in the civilized world.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason there were no banks in which to store money. People hoarded coins as a way of safeguarding their wealth. Those coins that were especially beautiful were hoarded the longest, often being passed down within families.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times
Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. Although there is reason to believe that Roman emperors and citizens paid prices higher than face value for coins that were no longer in circulation, Petrarch was known to be an avid collector, and often spoke of his collection in his writing. During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name the hobby of kings was born. So popular was the pursuit and trade of ancient Greek and Roman coins in this time period, that a brisk business in high-quality counterfeits sprang into being. Today, these counterfeits even have a high value, due to their age, quality, and historical significance.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times
Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The development of two large coin organizations in the mid-to-late 1800s, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA), helped spark American interest in building and maintaining a coin collection. Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins. The U.S. Mint has successfully increased interest in starting a coin collection through the minting of specialty coins, such as the bicentennial half dollars released in 1976 and the current release of quarters commemorating each of the fifty states.
Very few things tell more about a country in fewer words than the coins it produces. Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin. With so much information and beauty contained in so small a package, it is no surprise that coin collecting has been a hobby nearly as long as the concept of coins themselves. An understanding of the long history of coin collecting, once known as the hobby of kings, will make this pastime even more enjoyable.
The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting
The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C. Before that time, gold and silver ingots were the most common form of legal tender. Because there was no standard, however, each trade necessitated a careful weighing and examination of the precious metals being offered, and it was easy for unscrupulous merchants to pass off a lesser quality of gold in trade. Coins, which were printed on standardized weights of precious metals and stamped with a government guarantee of value, was the answer to this unwieldy, easily sabotaged trading process. Within one hundred years, the concept of coins had been adopted by all of the major trading cities in the civilized world.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason there were no banks in which to store money. People hoarded coins as a way of safeguarding their wealth. Those coins that were especially beautiful were hoarded the longest, often being passed down within families.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times
Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. Although there is reason to believe that Roman emperors and citizens paid prices higher than face value for coins that were no longer in circulation, Petrarch was known to be an avid collector, and often spoke of his collection in his writing. During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name the hobby of kings was born. So popular was the pursuit and trade of ancient Greek and Roman coins in this time period, that a brisk business in high-quality counterfeits sprang into being. Today, these counterfeits even have a high value, due to their age, quality, and historical significance.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times
Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The development of two large coin organizations in the mid-to-late 1800s, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA), helped spark American interest in building and maintaining a coin collection. Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins. The U.S. Mint has successfully increased interest in starting a coin collection through the minting of specialty coins, such as the bicentennial half dollars released in 1976 and the current release of quarters commemorating each of the fifty states.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Slots And The Basics Of The Game
Whether your new to the slots or a seasoned player you'll find this information to be valuable. We'll even throw in a quick peek at slots in action at one of the best and most popular casinos on the net.
Slot machines are easy to play and what attracts most players is they're fast and the payback is generally pretty high. They'll take anywhere from 1 to 5 coins and all you need to do is plug in the coins and pull the handle or in some cases press the button. The principal for both types is the same. There's lots of sound animation and for many this is their game of choice. Many people have won huge jackpots playing their favorite slot game.
Different machines have different ways of determining whether you are a winner by the paylines and the number of coins the player has inserted. One coin may pay on the middle line, a second coin on the top line and a third on the bottom line. With this, any of the three horizontal lines will pay if a combination is hit. A fourth coin will pay on a diagonal line and a fifth on the other diagonal line.
Hit one of these combinations and you'll hear a beautiful sound. The sound of winning as cash hits your pocket. If you hit a really big jackpot, even more noise will be accompanied by a flashing light in many cases. Here of course we are referring to an actual casino environment. The machine may stop paying out at some point and the light stop flashing. After a slight wait you'll be visited by an attendant or casino employee who will give you your winnings.
How loose or tight the machine is set, is determined by the casino.
Lets take a look at a sample slots payoff, per coin:
Winning Combination -------------------- Payoff
7-7-7 ----------------------------------100 coins
Bar-Bar-Bar ---------------------------- 50 coins
Bell-Bell-Bell ------------------------- 20 coins
Bell-Bell-Bar -------------------------- 18 coins
Bar-Bell-Bell -------------------------- 18 coins
Plum-Plum-Plum ------------------------- 20 coins
Plum-Plum-Bar -------------------------- 14 coins
Bar-Plum-Plum -------------------------- 14 coins
Orange-Orange-Orange ------------------- 20 coins
Orange-Orange-Bar ---------------------- 10 coins
Bar-Orange-Orange ---------------------- 10 coins
Cherry-Cherry-Cherry ------------------- 20 coins
Any-Cherry-Cherry ---------------------- 5 coins
Cherry-Cherry-Any ---------------------- 5 coins
Cherry-Any-Cherry ---------------------- 5 coins
Any-Any-Cherry ------------------------- 2 coins
Cherry-Any-Any ------------------------- 2 coins
Whether your new to the slots or a seasoned player you'll find this information to be valuable. We'll even throw in a quick peek at slots in action at one of the best and most popular casinos on the net.
Slot machines are easy to play and what attracts most players is they're fast and the payback is generally pretty high. They'll take anywhere from 1 to 5 coins and all you need to do is plug in the coins and pull the handle or in some cases press the button. The principal for both types is the same. There's lots of sound animation and for many this is their game of choice. Many people have won huge jackpots playing their favorite slot game.
Different machines have different ways of determining whether you are a winner by the paylines and the number of coins the player has inserted. One coin may pay on the middle line, a second coin on the top line and a third on the bottom line. With this, any of the three horizontal lines will pay if a combination is hit. A fourth coin will pay on a diagonal line and a fifth on the other diagonal line.
Hit one of these combinations and you'll hear a beautiful sound. The sound of winning as cash hits your pocket. If you hit a really big jackpot, even more noise will be accompanied by a flashing light in many cases. Here of course we are referring to an actual casino environment. The machine may stop paying out at some point and the light stop flashing. After a slight wait you'll be visited by an attendant or casino employee who will give you your winnings.
How loose or tight the machine is set, is determined by the casino.
Lets take a look at a sample slots payoff, per coin:
Winning Combination -------------------- Payoff
7-7-7 ----------------------------------100 coins
Bar-Bar-Bar ---------------------------- 50 coins
Bell-Bell-Bell ------------------------- 20 coins
Bell-Bell-Bar -------------------------- 18 coins
Bar-Bell-Bell -------------------------- 18 coins
Plum-Plum-Plum ------------------------- 20 coins
Plum-Plum-Bar -------------------------- 14 coins
Bar-Plum-Plum -------------------------- 14 coins
Orange-Orange-Orange ------------------- 20 coins
Orange-Orange-Bar ---------------------- 10 coins
Bar-Orange-Orange ---------------------- 10 coins
Cherry-Cherry-Cherry ------------------- 20 coins
Any-Cherry-Cherry ---------------------- 5 coins
Cherry-Cherry-Any ---------------------- 5 coins
Cherry-Any-Cherry ---------------------- 5 coins
Any-Any-Cherry ------------------------- 2 coins
Cherry-Any-Any ------------------------- 2 coins
Moissanite Rings
Moissanite adherents swear that its sparkle outclasses diamonds by a mile and a half. The fact that it has no natural flaws also stands in its favor. Wearing a moissanite ring is a sure attention grabber and conversation launcher. The stones are more popular than the previous favorite, cubic zirconium, for engagement, wedding and anniversary rings.
Certain class of purists object that moissanite, no matter how admirable its properties, cant match the sentimental value of a diamond on occasions of the heart. This may have something to do with the fact that it costs less. Also, many people still see moissanite as "fake diamond" a very unjustifiable definition. Moissanite is a unique mineral and is not meant to replace any other stones.
Moreover, diamonds are considered appropriate for engagement, wedding and anniversary rings because they are "forever". The "eternal" factor stems from the virtually indestructible nature of diamonds. By that coin, moissanite holds its own with diamonds. It also matches if not surpasses the sparkle and "fire" of diamonds. In other words, such arguments fall flat in the light of unbiased logic. Platinum, for instance, does not surpass gold it is merely a precious and attractive metal in its own right.
Actually, much of the present bias against moissanite rings for sentimental/relationship occasions has more to do with successful marketing hype against them than anything else. Moissanite is a valid jewelry medium, measured in carats and worthy of being set in precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.
If anything, choosing moissanite over diamond shows a progressive thinker who resists bending to tradition. This planet has limited resources, and diamonds will become progressively rarer in years to come. It would be a sorry statement on modern civilization if engagements and weddings reduce proportionately.
Moissanite adherents swear that its sparkle outclasses diamonds by a mile and a half. The fact that it has no natural flaws also stands in its favor. Wearing a moissanite ring is a sure attention grabber and conversation launcher. The stones are more popular than the previous favorite, cubic zirconium, for engagement, wedding and anniversary rings.
Certain class of purists object that moissanite, no matter how admirable its properties, cant match the sentimental value of a diamond on occasions of the heart. This may have something to do with the fact that it costs less. Also, many people still see moissanite as "fake diamond" a very unjustifiable definition. Moissanite is a unique mineral and is not meant to replace any other stones.
Moreover, diamonds are considered appropriate for engagement, wedding and anniversary rings because they are "forever". The "eternal" factor stems from the virtually indestructible nature of diamonds. By that coin, moissanite holds its own with diamonds. It also matches if not surpasses the sparkle and "fire" of diamonds. In other words, such arguments fall flat in the light of unbiased logic. Platinum, for instance, does not surpass gold it is merely a precious and attractive metal in its own right.
Actually, much of the present bias against moissanite rings for sentimental/relationship occasions has more to do with successful marketing hype against them than anything else. Moissanite is a valid jewelry medium, measured in carats and worthy of being set in precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.
If anything, choosing moissanite over diamond shows a progressive thinker who resists bending to tradition. This planet has limited resources, and diamonds will become progressively rarer in years to come. It would be a sorry statement on modern civilization if engagements and weddings reduce proportionately.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
How to Mine the Dirt Out of Your Gold
So, you have a beautiful gold necklace that needs cleaning? Although gold is tarnish-resistant, it does get dirty and smudged and needs cleaning now and again. Try to stay away from harsh soaps, powders, lotions, and even natural skin oils as these will actually cut down on golds brilliance over time. When you clean your gold necklaces, the cleaning process actually removes this buildup of residue and restores the original sparkle and shine that makes your piece of coveted jewelry precious and brilliant for many years to come.
The next time you think about discarding your old toothbrush with soft bristles, think twice! Combine a mild detergent with a small amount of toothpaste and buff your jewelry in a circular motion, then wash off the mild dishwashing liquid and water along with the toothpaste and buff with a soft cloth. Your gold necklace will love you for it.
If you have an extensive jewelry collection or even just a few gold necklaces, remember to get a good jewelry-polishing cloth. They are made of cotton with one side that is treated with the chemical that helps remove tarnish and the other side is used to buff the jewelry. This is an inexpensive way to clean your jewelry that works well. After all, when you purchased your gold jewelry, no doubt the acquisition cost was high and this will extend the value of your gold necklace considerably. Your jewelry cloth will become darkened after extended use, but this is quite normal and doesn't mean that you need to replace it right away, but rather you can continue using it until the fabric itself wears out. No matter what type of jewelry you own, it is important to take care of each item individually. Remember to keep your most precious pieces, including gold necklaces, safely tucked away in a dark, airtight jewelry box in a safe, storage area.
So, you have a beautiful gold necklace that needs cleaning? Although gold is tarnish-resistant, it does get dirty and smudged and needs cleaning now and again. Try to stay away from harsh soaps, powders, lotions, and even natural skin oils as these will actually cut down on golds brilliance over time. When you clean your gold necklaces, the cleaning process actually removes this buildup of residue and restores the original sparkle and shine that makes your piece of coveted jewelry precious and brilliant for many years to come.
The next time you think about discarding your old toothbrush with soft bristles, think twice! Combine a mild detergent with a small amount of toothpaste and buff your jewelry in a circular motion, then wash off the mild dishwashing liquid and water along with the toothpaste and buff with a soft cloth. Your gold necklace will love you for it.
If you have an extensive jewelry collection or even just a few gold necklaces, remember to get a good jewelry-polishing cloth. They are made of cotton with one side that is treated with the chemical that helps remove tarnish and the other side is used to buff the jewelry. This is an inexpensive way to clean your jewelry that works well. After all, when you purchased your gold jewelry, no doubt the acquisition cost was high and this will extend the value of your gold necklace considerably. Your jewelry cloth will become darkened after extended use, but this is quite normal and doesn't mean that you need to replace it right away, but rather you can continue using it until the fabric itself wears out. No matter what type of jewelry you own, it is important to take care of each item individually. Remember to keep your most precious pieces, including gold necklaces, safely tucked away in a dark, airtight jewelry box in a safe, storage area.
Friday, February 9, 2007
How The Hobby of Collecting Coins Began
Very few things tell more about a country in fewer words than the coins it produces. Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin. With so much information and beauty contained in so small a package, it is no surprise that coin collecting has been a hobby nearly as long as the concept of coins themselves. An understanding of the long history of coin collecting, once known as the hobby of kings, will make this pastime even more enjoyable.
The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting
The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C. Before that time, gold and silver ingots were the most common form of legal tender. Because there was no standard, however, each trade necessitated a careful weighing and examination of the precious metals being offered, and it was easy for unscrupulous merchants to pass off a lesser quality of gold in trade. Coins, which were printed on standardized weights of precious metals and stamped with a government guarantee of value, was the answer to this unwieldy, easily sabotaged trading process. Within one hundred years, the concept of coins had been adopted by all of the major trading cities in the civilized world.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason there were no banks in which to store money. People hoarded coins as a way of safeguarding their wealth. Those coins that were especially beautiful were hoarded the longest, often being passed down within families.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times
Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. Although there is reason to believe that Roman emperors and citizens paid prices higher than face value for coins that were no longer in circulation, Petrarch was known to be an avid collector, and often spoke of his collection in his writing. During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name the hobby of kings was born. So popular was the pursuit and trade of ancient Greek and Roman coins in this time period, that a brisk business in high-quality counterfeits sprang into being. Today, these counterfeits even have a high value, due to their age, quality, and historical significance.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times
Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The development of two large coin organizations in the mid-to-late 1800s, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA), helped spark American interest in building and maintaining a coin collection. Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins. The U.S. Mint has successfully increased interest in starting a coin collection through the minting of specialty coins, such as the bicentennial half dollars released in 1976 and the current release of quarters commemorating each of the fifty states.
Very few things tell more about a country in fewer words than the coins it produces. Coins hold a wealth of information on their small faces, from the year of their birth to the language spoken at the time, from the metals a country holds valuable to the cultural influences and historical figures that its people hold valuable. Coins can also be strikingly beautiful in their own right, with the top designers of a nation striving to have their motif chosen for immortality on the face of a coin. With so much information and beauty contained in so small a package, it is no surprise that coin collecting has been a hobby nearly as long as the concept of coins themselves. An understanding of the long history of coin collecting, once known as the hobby of kings, will make this pastime even more enjoyable.
The Origin of Coins and Coin Collecting
The hobby of coin collecting began nearly as soon as the first coins were minted in Asia Minor, around 650 B.C. Before that time, gold and silver ingots were the most common form of legal tender. Because there was no standard, however, each trade necessitated a careful weighing and examination of the precious metals being offered, and it was easy for unscrupulous merchants to pass off a lesser quality of gold in trade. Coins, which were printed on standardized weights of precious metals and stamped with a government guarantee of value, was the answer to this unwieldy, easily sabotaged trading process. Within one hundred years, the concept of coins had been adopted by all of the major trading cities in the civilized world.
At the beginning, coin collecting had a very practical reason there were no banks in which to store money. People hoarded coins as a way of safeguarding their wealth. Those coins that were especially beautiful were hoarded the longest, often being passed down within families.
Coin Collection in Renaissance Times
Modern coin collecting, where the coins are viewed as a work of art as well as a collection of valuable legal tender, is widely thought to have begun with Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, who is often called the father of the Renaissance. Although there is reason to believe that Roman emperors and citizens paid prices higher than face value for coins that were no longer in circulation, Petrarch was known to be an avid collector, and often spoke of his collection in his writing. During the Renaissance, popes and nobility began collecting coins for their artistic and historical value, and the name the hobby of kings was born. So popular was the pursuit and trade of ancient Greek and Roman coins in this time period, that a brisk business in high-quality counterfeits sprang into being. Today, these counterfeits even have a high value, due to their age, quality, and historical significance.
Coin Collecting in Modern Times
Coin collecting has been a favorite pastime of many people with a reverence for history, including U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. The development of two large coin organizations in the mid-to-late 1800s, the American Numismatic Society (ANS) and the American Numismatic Association (ANA), helped spark American interest in building and maintaining a coin collection. Today, there has been an explosion in American interest in coin collecting, in large part due to the ease and availability of obtaining interesting coins. The U.S. Mint has successfully increased interest in starting a coin collection through the minting of specialty coins, such as the bicentennial half dollars released in 1976 and the current release of quarters commemorating each of the fifty states.
Slot Machine Odds
It probably more appropriate to call slot machines entertainment than gambling, as the
house always - and we mean always - has an edge with slot machines.
The average slot machine payout ranges from an average of 85% to 99% of all coins bet.
The lower the denomination of the machine, the lower the payout. This is because the
casino wants to make a certain amount per hour with its slots. With a one dollar slot
machine, the casino can payback perhaps 98% and make it's hourly goal. With a lower
denomination machine, such as quarters or nickels, the payout must be much lower to
achieve the same hourly pay for the casino
There are two types of slot machine payouts: flat rate and progressives. A flat rate
machine pays the same percentage based on only that machine's results. With
progressive machines, many machines are linked together electronically and the jackpot
gets progressively larger the more players that play and the greater the time in between
winning jackpots.
Our advice is to play the flat rate machines and avoid the progressives. The odds against
winning the jackpot are much higher on progressives. In many cases, your odds of
winning the state lottery are better! Play the non-progressive machines where you at least
have a chance at the jackpot.
SHOULD YOU PLAY MAXIMUM COINS ARE NOT?
The answer to this question depends on one thing: is the jackpot bigger proportionally for
maximum coins bet? If it is, play maximum coins. If it isn't, then simply play the
minimum and your money will last longer.
To illustrate, let's assume you want to play a machine that has a three coin maximum bet.
Should you play the maximum? Look at the payout information. If the jackpot amount
for one coin bet is 1,000, for two coins 2,000 and for three coins 5,000, then the jackpot
is bigger proportionally for three coins and you should bet the maximum coins. This is
because the maximum coins to bet is three times the minimum but the maximum coin
jackpot is five times the amount of the minimum coin jackpot. This means your jackpot
odds are better if you play the maximum coins.
In this same example, if the three coin jackpot was 3,000 instead of 5,000, then you
should only play one coin at a time because there is no odds advantage to playing
maximum coins.
One disadvantage of playing maximum coins, even if the jackpot is proportionally larger,
is that smaller, less-than-jackpot payouts are usually not proportionally larger for
maximum coins played. It's only the jackpot that is proportionally larger. For this
reason, we recommend only playing minimum coins on machines that do no have a
proportionally larger jackpot for maximum coins. This way, you money will last longer
and you increase your odds of winning smaller jackpots and maybe coming away a slight
winner.
Good Luck!
It probably more appropriate to call slot machines entertainment than gambling, as the
house always - and we mean always - has an edge with slot machines.
The average slot machine payout ranges from an average of 85% to 99% of all coins bet.
The lower the denomination of the machine, the lower the payout. This is because the
casino wants to make a certain amount per hour with its slots. With a one dollar slot
machine, the casino can payback perhaps 98% and make it's hourly goal. With a lower
denomination machine, such as quarters or nickels, the payout must be much lower to
achieve the same hourly pay for the casino
There are two types of slot machine payouts: flat rate and progressives. A flat rate
machine pays the same percentage based on only that machine's results. With
progressive machines, many machines are linked together electronically and the jackpot
gets progressively larger the more players that play and the greater the time in between
winning jackpots.
Our advice is to play the flat rate machines and avoid the progressives. The odds against
winning the jackpot are much higher on progressives. In many cases, your odds of
winning the state lottery are better! Play the non-progressive machines where you at least
have a chance at the jackpot.
SHOULD YOU PLAY MAXIMUM COINS ARE NOT?
The answer to this question depends on one thing: is the jackpot bigger proportionally for
maximum coins bet? If it is, play maximum coins. If it isn't, then simply play the
minimum and your money will last longer.
To illustrate, let's assume you want to play a machine that has a three coin maximum bet.
Should you play the maximum? Look at the payout information. If the jackpot amount
for one coin bet is 1,000, for two coins 2,000 and for three coins 5,000, then the jackpot
is bigger proportionally for three coins and you should bet the maximum coins. This is
because the maximum coins to bet is three times the minimum but the maximum coin
jackpot is five times the amount of the minimum coin jackpot. This means your jackpot
odds are better if you play the maximum coins.
In this same example, if the three coin jackpot was 3,000 instead of 5,000, then you
should only play one coin at a time because there is no odds advantage to playing
maximum coins.
One disadvantage of playing maximum coins, even if the jackpot is proportionally larger,
is that smaller, less-than-jackpot payouts are usually not proportionally larger for
maximum coins played. It's only the jackpot that is proportionally larger. For this
reason, we recommend only playing minimum coins on machines that do no have a
proportionally larger jackpot for maximum coins. This way, you money will last longer
and you increase your odds of winning smaller jackpots and maybe coming away a slight
winner.
Good Luck!
Thursday, February 8, 2007
Can You Afford Not To Look After Your Personal Finances?
Investing is a subject a lot of people dont want to think about. And there is good reason for that. Investing seems scary. It either sounds like something only the rich do or something that only a skilled professional can do. But the truth is that investing is something that everyone can and should doas soon as possible.
Why should you start now?
Think about this. There are two ways to make money. You can exchange your time for money or you can make your money work for you. Most of us work 40 hours a week. In this case, you are trading your time for money. But wouldnt you rather earn more than you are making? If you are making $1,000, wouldnt you rather be earning $5,000? Most people think the only way to earn more is to work more. Work overtime is their motto! But there is more to life than working. Investing gives you the chance to let your money work for yousaving you time and earning you money.
But is the purpose of investing to get rich?
Some people dont invest because they think that investing is something you do to get rich. They figure theyll never earn enough to get rich, so why bother. But thats not what investing is for. Investing is a way for you to be able to maintain your current lifestyle.
Think about this: what if the company you worked for suddenly closed down? What are you going to do when you get to retirement? Sometimes working more is not a viable option. Investing gives you another source of savings and earning income. You dont invest to become a multi-millionaire (of course no one would stop you if that happens); you invest so that you can provide for yourself in the way you are accustomed to both before and after retirement.
Many people are convinced that investing is the right thing to do at this point, but, there are some misconceptions people have about investing that prevents them from actually doing it. These misconceptions are that:
Investing is too hard
Investing is too risky
You need a lot of money to invest
Lets look at each one of these misconceptions.
Investing is too hard.
You may think that investing is just too hard. But a lot of that has to do with the terminology of the investment industry. I mean who knows what Fed Fund rates, mutual funds, indexes, or blue chip stocks are? But you dont need to be scared off by a bunch of wordsin the end they are just words. Just like you probably didnt know what PMI was before you bought your first house or what APR was before you got your first credit card, you can learn what these things are. And you will find that they arent so hard to learn. And if you seek the advice of a professional, they can explain it to you.
Investing is too risky.
Some people have the idea that investing is risky. Movies such as Wall Street, no doubt, lead people to think that. But the fact is that investing is only as risky as you want it to be. Do you want to take huge risks? You can invest in international stocks. Want to play it safe? Go with bonds. The risk level is up to you and only you.
I cant afford to invest.
Many people think they cant afford to invest. But when you look at the alternatives (social security may not be there, job security is not 100%), you really have to ask yourself how can you afford not to invest. And the earlier you start, the more money you will earn. Even if its only a small amount, the money you invest today will earn you big in the future.
Investing is a subject a lot of people dont want to think about. And there is good reason for that. Investing seems scary. It either sounds like something only the rich do or something that only a skilled professional can do. But the truth is that investing is something that everyone can and should doas soon as possible.
Why should you start now?
Think about this. There are two ways to make money. You can exchange your time for money or you can make your money work for you. Most of us work 40 hours a week. In this case, you are trading your time for money. But wouldnt you rather earn more than you are making? If you are making $1,000, wouldnt you rather be earning $5,000? Most people think the only way to earn more is to work more. Work overtime is their motto! But there is more to life than working. Investing gives you the chance to let your money work for yousaving you time and earning you money.
But is the purpose of investing to get rich?
Some people dont invest because they think that investing is something you do to get rich. They figure theyll never earn enough to get rich, so why bother. But thats not what investing is for. Investing is a way for you to be able to maintain your current lifestyle.
Think about this: what if the company you worked for suddenly closed down? What are you going to do when you get to retirement? Sometimes working more is not a viable option. Investing gives you another source of savings and earning income. You dont invest to become a multi-millionaire (of course no one would stop you if that happens); you invest so that you can provide for yourself in the way you are accustomed to both before and after retirement.
Many people are convinced that investing is the right thing to do at this point, but, there are some misconceptions people have about investing that prevents them from actually doing it. These misconceptions are that:
Investing is too hard
Investing is too risky
You need a lot of money to invest
Lets look at each one of these misconceptions.
Investing is too hard.
You may think that investing is just too hard. But a lot of that has to do with the terminology of the investment industry. I mean who knows what Fed Fund rates, mutual funds, indexes, or blue chip stocks are? But you dont need to be scared off by a bunch of wordsin the end they are just words. Just like you probably didnt know what PMI was before you bought your first house or what APR was before you got your first credit card, you can learn what these things are. And you will find that they arent so hard to learn. And if you seek the advice of a professional, they can explain it to you.
Investing is too risky.
Some people have the idea that investing is risky. Movies such as Wall Street, no doubt, lead people to think that. But the fact is that investing is only as risky as you want it to be. Do you want to take huge risks? You can invest in international stocks. Want to play it safe? Go with bonds. The risk level is up to you and only you.
I cant afford to invest.
Many people think they cant afford to invest. But when you look at the alternatives (social security may not be there, job security is not 100%), you really have to ask yourself how can you afford not to invest. And the earlier you start, the more money you will earn. Even if its only a small amount, the money you invest today will earn you big in the future.
Where to Invest Your Money
If you are new to investing, or even if you've been playing the market for a while, investment options can be overwhelming. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds. How do you pick the best place to invest your money? That's quite a decision!
Here are some tips that can help you get started:
If you are planning for a long-term investment, it may be wisest to go with stocks. History shows that stocks outperform other investing options over the long term. For example, from 1926 to 2004, the stock market had an average annual gain of 10.4%, compared with only 5.4% for bonds and even less for other forms of investing.
That said, stocks may not be such a good option for short-term investing. They tend to be more risky and can undergo severe losses. Unless you're planning to keep your money there for a long time, you might not want to weather the stress of the stock market's ups and downs. Overall, a company's earnings are going to be the biggest player in a stock's fluctuation.
If you're willing to take a little bit of risk with your investing-or a lot-you probably will notice a bigger payoff. Stocks, for example, are a riskier investment than bonds. But again, stocks tend to bring in a much higher return. On the other hand, there is also the chance that your stock will dip and you may suffer a great loss. That's all part of the game.
If you're looking for a low-risk, surefire investment strategy, U.S. Treasury bonds may be the way to go. The government has a lot of power over these bonds. Because of this, investing in these bonds is generally considered risk-free. Keep in mind, however, that bonds don't do so well when interest rates rise. Conversely, when interest rates go down, bond prices rise. This is particularly true with long-term bonds.
To be safe, the best advice is to diversify your portfolio. If you practice investing in a number of different areas, you are least likely to lose it all. (Remember the Enron scandal? Don't make that mistake!) Some investments will go up, others will go down. But at least you can be pretty sure you won't lose it all. Chances are, with a little research, some self-education, and careful investing, you'll build your savings substantially. Happy investing!
If you are new to investing, or even if you've been playing the market for a while, investment options can be overwhelming. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds. How do you pick the best place to invest your money? That's quite a decision!
Here are some tips that can help you get started:
If you are planning for a long-term investment, it may be wisest to go with stocks. History shows that stocks outperform other investing options over the long term. For example, from 1926 to 2004, the stock market had an average annual gain of 10.4%, compared with only 5.4% for bonds and even less for other forms of investing.
That said, stocks may not be such a good option for short-term investing. They tend to be more risky and can undergo severe losses. Unless you're planning to keep your money there for a long time, you might not want to weather the stress of the stock market's ups and downs. Overall, a company's earnings are going to be the biggest player in a stock's fluctuation.
If you're willing to take a little bit of risk with your investing-or a lot-you probably will notice a bigger payoff. Stocks, for example, are a riskier investment than bonds. But again, stocks tend to bring in a much higher return. On the other hand, there is also the chance that your stock will dip and you may suffer a great loss. That's all part of the game.
If you're looking for a low-risk, surefire investment strategy, U.S. Treasury bonds may be the way to go. The government has a lot of power over these bonds. Because of this, investing in these bonds is generally considered risk-free. Keep in mind, however, that bonds don't do so well when interest rates rise. Conversely, when interest rates go down, bond prices rise. This is particularly true with long-term bonds.
To be safe, the best advice is to diversify your portfolio. If you practice investing in a number of different areas, you are least likely to lose it all. (Remember the Enron scandal? Don't make that mistake!) Some investments will go up, others will go down. But at least you can be pretty sure you won't lose it all. Chances are, with a little research, some self-education, and careful investing, you'll build your savings substantially. Happy investing!
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
All Coin Dealers Are Not Created Equal
How to Select a Coin Dealer for Your Coin Collection
Why do I Need a Coin Dealer?
It is very difficult to build a collection of rare coins without a connection to a good coin dealer. If you are an investor hoping to make a profit with your collection of rare coins, building relationships with good coin dealers is vital to your success. If you are interested in making the highest profits possible with your coin collection, you will need to find a merchant partner who is experienced in the specific rare coins that interest you, and who will sell them to you at a good price. Most coin dealers will charge a lower premium on the sale of coins to their best customers. After all, it makes good business sense to get the most profit possible from a person who will do business with you only once. If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will. Finding the right vendor or wholesaler can be a long and difficult task for someone new to the coin collecting trade. Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.
Building a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable coin dealer is the best way to protect the money that you invest into rare coins. All too often, new coin collectors who try to go it on their own without professional help end up being scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What Do I Look For in a Coin Dealer?
All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
The first vital piece of information that you'll need when considering coin dealers is his or her professional qualifications. Some important questions to ask include, does the coin dealer belong to any professional groups? How long has he or she been in business? Can the coin merchant provide references from other satisfied customers? One of the best indications that a vendor has a high level of professionalism is a membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). This group includes the most reputable coin dealers in the business thanks to an emphasis on ethics.
The second most important question to put to a prospective coin dealer is the area in which he or she specializes. There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You'll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you. A trader might be able to recognize every rare American coin at a glance, but that won't do you a lot of good if you really want to collect legal tender from medieval times.
Finally, you should consider the motivation of the coin dealers you are considering. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels. A coin trader who is highly motivated will also be more likely to provide you with excellent service and the best rare coins.
Once you have selected a coin dealer, it is important to reward him or her with your loyalty. You are likely to get the best prices and service from coin dealers who know that you are working exclusively with them.
How to Select a Coin Dealer for Your Coin Collection
Why do I Need a Coin Dealer?
It is very difficult to build a collection of rare coins without a connection to a good coin dealer. If you are an investor hoping to make a profit with your collection of rare coins, building relationships with good coin dealers is vital to your success. If you are interested in making the highest profits possible with your coin collection, you will need to find a merchant partner who is experienced in the specific rare coins that interest you, and who will sell them to you at a good price. Most coin dealers will charge a lower premium on the sale of coins to their best customers. After all, it makes good business sense to get the most profit possible from a person who will do business with you only once. If you have a long-term relationship, however, the margin does not need to be as high for the coin dealer to make a good profit.
Because coin dealers are experts in their chosen fields, they will also have better connections than individuals who buy coins on their own will. Finding the right vendor or wholesaler can be a long and difficult task for someone new to the coin collecting trade. Coin dealers will also be more likely to recognize a counterfeit coin, have a higher chance of hearing about the sale of the specific rare coins that interest you, and will recognize an asking price that is over- or undervalued. As an investor, these are all critically important points for your success.
Building a long-term relationship with a knowledgeable coin dealer is the best way to protect the money that you invest into rare coins. All too often, new coin collectors who try to go it on their own without professional help end up being scammed out of hundreds or thousands of dollars.
What Do I Look For in a Coin Dealer?
All coin dealers are not created equal, and it is nearly impossible to specialize in every area when it comes to collecting rare coins. Therefore, it's important to know what to look for before you select a professional for your coin collecting needs.
The first vital piece of information that you'll need when considering coin dealers is his or her professional qualifications. Some important questions to ask include, does the coin dealer belong to any professional groups? How long has he or she been in business? Can the coin merchant provide references from other satisfied customers? One of the best indications that a vendor has a high level of professionalism is a membership in the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG). This group includes the most reputable coin dealers in the business thanks to an emphasis on ethics.
The second most important question to put to a prospective coin dealer is the area in which he or she specializes. There are so many different kinds of rare coins to collect, ranging from gold bullion coins to ancient Roman coins, that it is impossible to be a true expert in all of them. You'll want to find a merchant that specializes in the particular area that is of interest to you. A trader might be able to recognize every rare American coin at a glance, but that won't do you a lot of good if you really want to collect legal tender from medieval times.
Finally, you should consider the motivation of the coin dealers you are considering. A highly motivated coin merchant will go to shows and retailer auctions, keep abreast of current prices and trends, and will generally keep up-to-date with the current coin market. Any investor will recognize the impact of current information on profit levels. A coin trader who is highly motivated will also be more likely to provide you with excellent service and the best rare coins.
Once you have selected a coin dealer, it is important to reward him or her with your loyalty. You are likely to get the best prices and service from coin dealers who know that you are working exclusively with them.
A Brief History of the Exchange Rates
Where did these exchange rates come from? Have they always been used in relation to foreign currencies? How did they evolve along the years?
If you wonder about these things, the first thing you should know is that the exchange rates havent been used since the beginning of trade. Gold was the thing used to back the currencies for a very long time. What did this mean? It meant that a currency issued by a government represented a certain amount of gold that existed in that governments vaults. The fact that a person owned that currency meant that person really owned a certain amount of gold.
But this balance was about to be changed as the US government set the value of the dollar at a unique level: 35 dollars would buy you one ounce of gold. This thing happened in the 1930s. After the end of the Second World War, countries started to consider the US dollar a strong basis for their currencies. The reason for doing this was the fact that the US dollar value was well known, so a currency based on the dollar would actually be based on gold. For instance, if a certain currency was worth three times more gold than the US dollar, then it actually worth three US dollars.
But this system became outdated quite fast due to the amazing evolution of the world economy. The US dollar started to be affected by inflation, meaning that it could purchase less and less goods. This wouldnt have been very bad if other currencies hadnt become stronger and more stable than the US dollar. In the end, the US dollar had to accept its fate that it had stopped being the as strong as it thought, so its value was decreased from 35 dollars for one ounce of gold, to 70 dollars for one ounce of gold.
In the 70s the US dollar gave up on its gold standard. The US dollar value started to be determined by its market strength. Although the US dollar stopped being the standard for world currencies, it never stopped being the most important currency on financial markets, as many exchange rates are still expressed in US dollars. The Euro has also become a strong currency, even stronger than the US dollar. These two currencies together represent about 50 percent of the exchange rates.
In conclusion, the exchange rates have evolved from being expressed in gold, to being expressed in US dollars, and finally, they worth as much as they weight on the market.
Where did these exchange rates come from? Have they always been used in relation to foreign currencies? How did they evolve along the years?
If you wonder about these things, the first thing you should know is that the exchange rates havent been used since the beginning of trade. Gold was the thing used to back the currencies for a very long time. What did this mean? It meant that a currency issued by a government represented a certain amount of gold that existed in that governments vaults. The fact that a person owned that currency meant that person really owned a certain amount of gold.
But this balance was about to be changed as the US government set the value of the dollar at a unique level: 35 dollars would buy you one ounce of gold. This thing happened in the 1930s. After the end of the Second World War, countries started to consider the US dollar a strong basis for their currencies. The reason for doing this was the fact that the US dollar value was well known, so a currency based on the dollar would actually be based on gold. For instance, if a certain currency was worth three times more gold than the US dollar, then it actually worth three US dollars.
But this system became outdated quite fast due to the amazing evolution of the world economy. The US dollar started to be affected by inflation, meaning that it could purchase less and less goods. This wouldnt have been very bad if other currencies hadnt become stronger and more stable than the US dollar. In the end, the US dollar had to accept its fate that it had stopped being the as strong as it thought, so its value was decreased from 35 dollars for one ounce of gold, to 70 dollars for one ounce of gold.
In the 70s the US dollar gave up on its gold standard. The US dollar value started to be determined by its market strength. Although the US dollar stopped being the standard for world currencies, it never stopped being the most important currency on financial markets, as many exchange rates are still expressed in US dollars. The Euro has also become a strong currency, even stronger than the US dollar. These two currencies together represent about 50 percent of the exchange rates.
In conclusion, the exchange rates have evolved from being expressed in gold, to being expressed in US dollars, and finally, they worth as much as they weight on the market.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Coin Collecting - A Fun Hobby
Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just a hobby to becoming a full-blown enterprise with numerous Internet sites devoted to coins. Over the next several weeks, I will give you a little background about coin collecting to help those who want to pursue this as a hobby and maybe even make some money in the process.
People have been collecting coins for centuries, because of their beauty, their value, and their history. When you hold an old coin in your hand, it allows you to take a step back in history to the time of the coinage. For over 2,500 years, mans history has been reflected in coins. From the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the British Empire, the California Gold Rush, and US coins, mans achievements have been depicted in coins.
Coin collecting, called numismatics, has become one of the most rewarding and popular hobbies in the world today. Over a period of time as you begin to add more coins to your collection, you will be pleasantly surprised at the hours of enjoyment your collection will bring. If you have taken time and care with your collection, not only will it be of value to you and those you pass it on to, but could also be an investment for the future.
Please check back for future articles where we will be discussing early coins, 19th and 20th century coins, commemorative coins, gold coins, determining the value of coins, and buying coins.
Over the years, collecting coins has grown from being just a hobby to becoming a full-blown enterprise with numerous Internet sites devoted to coins. Over the next several weeks, I will give you a little background about coin collecting to help those who want to pursue this as a hobby and maybe even make some money in the process.
People have been collecting coins for centuries, because of their beauty, their value, and their history. When you hold an old coin in your hand, it allows you to take a step back in history to the time of the coinage. For over 2,500 years, mans history has been reflected in coins. From the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the British Empire, the California Gold Rush, and US coins, mans achievements have been depicted in coins.
Coin collecting, called numismatics, has become one of the most rewarding and popular hobbies in the world today. Over a period of time as you begin to add more coins to your collection, you will be pleasantly surprised at the hours of enjoyment your collection will bring. If you have taken time and care with your collection, not only will it be of value to you and those you pass it on to, but could also be an investment for the future.
Please check back for future articles where we will be discussing early coins, 19th and 20th century coins, commemorative coins, gold coins, determining the value of coins, and buying coins.
Setting a diamond - What to know.
When it comes to placing your new diamond in a setting there are a couple of things to take into consideration.
Number of Prongs How many prongs you get is up to you. The more prongs, the more secure the diamond will be. At the same time I dont feel that having only four prongs makes your diamond more likely to fall out. It is a matter of taste.
Material of Prongs What the prongs are made of does make a big difference. Your choices are usually gold or platinum. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold. Gold prongs can get bent and over time wear down. Platinum prongs will stay as new as the day you bought it and are less likely to bend.
Ring material This is a matter of taste and budget. Where most people are concerned is white gold verses platinum. Lets take a look at both:
White gold
White gold is made by mixing gold and other white metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum. This mixing causes the gold to change colors into a white or silver look. The color is not exactly as white as jewelers and customers would like it so they electroplate the white gold with rhodium making it look much whiter. The only problem with this method is that the electroplating only attaches a thin layer of rhodium that wears off in about a year and needs to be redone in order to get the original shine back. This will cost about $35 dollars if it is an all white gold item that can be plated all at once.
Since white gold is not an element but an alloy of a number of different metals the mixture can be change to suit the application. If a hard metal is needed it can be mixed with nickel or if a softer metal is needed for setting stones it can be mixed with palladium. So remember not all white gold is the same.
Interesting note: Since gold is a yellow color the more gold in white gold the more yellow it will look. A 14k white gold ring will look more yellow than a 10k white gold ring.
Platinum
Well the first thing that you will notice about platinum is that it is way more expensive than white gold. There are a couple of reasons for this. White gold as we mentioned is not all gold so you are not paying for solid gold and platinum is just a more expensive metal. Platinum has many advantages over white gold. First, it is more scratch resistant and will not wear down over time. Second it is much heavier than white gold so when you put it on you feel like you are putting on a major piece of jewelry. Third as it gets older it will hold its color and shape much better than gold. Since platinum is naturally a nice white color if it gets a scratch or dinged it will still look white.
Both materials will need to be cleaned and polished to keep them looking good as new.
* If you plan on getting a ring made of either material it is a good idea to get a higher color grade diamond with these materials. Since they are so white they will make a slightly yellow diamond look even more yellow. If the diamond you are getting has a low color grade you might want to go for yellow gold which tends to hide a yellow diamond better since the metal is yellow.
Yellow Gold -
Yellow gold is the standard ring but seems to be quickly losing ground.
When it comes to placing your new diamond in a setting there are a couple of things to take into consideration.
Number of Prongs How many prongs you get is up to you. The more prongs, the more secure the diamond will be. At the same time I dont feel that having only four prongs makes your diamond more likely to fall out. It is a matter of taste.
Material of Prongs What the prongs are made of does make a big difference. Your choices are usually gold or platinum. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold. Gold prongs can get bent and over time wear down. Platinum prongs will stay as new as the day you bought it and are less likely to bend.
Ring material This is a matter of taste and budget. Where most people are concerned is white gold verses platinum. Lets take a look at both:
White gold
White gold is made by mixing gold and other white metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum. This mixing causes the gold to change colors into a white or silver look. The color is not exactly as white as jewelers and customers would like it so they electroplate the white gold with rhodium making it look much whiter. The only problem with this method is that the electroplating only attaches a thin layer of rhodium that wears off in about a year and needs to be redone in order to get the original shine back. This will cost about $35 dollars if it is an all white gold item that can be plated all at once.
Since white gold is not an element but an alloy of a number of different metals the mixture can be change to suit the application. If a hard metal is needed it can be mixed with nickel or if a softer metal is needed for setting stones it can be mixed with palladium. So remember not all white gold is the same.
Interesting note: Since gold is a yellow color the more gold in white gold the more yellow it will look. A 14k white gold ring will look more yellow than a 10k white gold ring.
Platinum
Well the first thing that you will notice about platinum is that it is way more expensive than white gold. There are a couple of reasons for this. White gold as we mentioned is not all gold so you are not paying for solid gold and platinum is just a more expensive metal. Platinum has many advantages over white gold. First, it is more scratch resistant and will not wear down over time. Second it is much heavier than white gold so when you put it on you feel like you are putting on a major piece of jewelry. Third as it gets older it will hold its color and shape much better than gold. Since platinum is naturally a nice white color if it gets a scratch or dinged it will still look white.
Both materials will need to be cleaned and polished to keep them looking good as new.
* If you plan on getting a ring made of either material it is a good idea to get a higher color grade diamond with these materials. Since they are so white they will make a slightly yellow diamond look even more yellow. If the diamond you are getting has a low color grade you might want to go for yellow gold which tends to hide a yellow diamond better since the metal is yellow.
Yellow Gold -
Yellow gold is the standard ring but seems to be quickly losing ground.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Why You Need To Buy and Sell Gold Coins (Part 6)
Pre-1933 Gold Outperforms Today's Gold Bullion...
Since 1970, an investment strategy that included Pre-1933 gold has been proven to outperform modern gold bullion, gold bars, Krugerrands, Canadian Maple Leafs, or American Eagles.
In fact, $1,000 invested in common date, Pre-1933 Gold coins has a market value of $19,595. But, gold bullion would be worth only $7,429.* Clearly, investing in common date gold coins has paid off handsomely.
Truly Rare Coins Bigger Winners- But, Collectors Universe reports that you would have done even better by acquiring investment quality, U.S. Rare Coins back in 1970. The CU3000 would be worth $54,158 and Mint State, Rare Gold would be worth $74,299 today, far outperforming gold or the Dow over the last 30 years.
Pre-1933 Gold Offers the Best Leverage - As you might expect, classic Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are directly affected by the rising price of gold. When gold goes up, the generic gold coins follow. However, many people don't realize that Pre-1933 gold coins offer substantial leverage to the gold market and advantages over modern gold bullion coins like American Eagles.
Pre-1933 Gold Soared When Gold Was Flat - However, sectors of the U.S. Rare Coin Market and the gold markets dont move in tandem. Generic gold coins soared in value in the early 1970s, in the 1976-1980 Bull Market for coins, and again in the mid-1980s despite the fact that gold prices were relatively flat.
In today's marketplace, gold trades near 20-year lows and generic Pre-1933 gold is also highly undervalued. Both offer investors a good soure of value during a time when high-tech stocks are crashing, the economy is headed for a recession and inflation is rising quickly.
All of these factors have historically put investors in a position of a flight to safety from paper assets into hard assets. When investors suddenly enter the U.S. Rare Coin Market, the demand can quickly overwhelm the limited supply.
Pre-1933 Gold Outperforms Today's Gold Bullion...
Since 1970, an investment strategy that included Pre-1933 gold has been proven to outperform modern gold bullion, gold bars, Krugerrands, Canadian Maple Leafs, or American Eagles.
In fact, $1,000 invested in common date, Pre-1933 Gold coins has a market value of $19,595. But, gold bullion would be worth only $7,429.* Clearly, investing in common date gold coins has paid off handsomely.
Truly Rare Coins Bigger Winners- But, Collectors Universe reports that you would have done even better by acquiring investment quality, U.S. Rare Coins back in 1970. The CU3000 would be worth $54,158 and Mint State, Rare Gold would be worth $74,299 today, far outperforming gold or the Dow over the last 30 years.
Pre-1933 Gold Offers the Best Leverage - As you might expect, classic Pre-1933 U.S. gold coins are directly affected by the rising price of gold. When gold goes up, the generic gold coins follow. However, many people don't realize that Pre-1933 gold coins offer substantial leverage to the gold market and advantages over modern gold bullion coins like American Eagles.
Pre-1933 Gold Soared When Gold Was Flat - However, sectors of the U.S. Rare Coin Market and the gold markets dont move in tandem. Generic gold coins soared in value in the early 1970s, in the 1976-1980 Bull Market for coins, and again in the mid-1980s despite the fact that gold prices were relatively flat.
In today's marketplace, gold trades near 20-year lows and generic Pre-1933 gold is also highly undervalued. Both offer investors a good soure of value during a time when high-tech stocks are crashing, the economy is headed for a recession and inflation is rising quickly.
All of these factors have historically put investors in a position of a flight to safety from paper assets into hard assets. When investors suddenly enter the U.S. Rare Coin Market, the demand can quickly overwhelm the limited supply.
World of Warcraft - How to Get the Maximum Gold?
World of Warcraft is one game that can be worked around if one has a lot of Gold. Gold possession is the most important aspect of playing. Gold is the basic foundation of your existence in the game. To buy items form other players and vendors, you need gold. To get training and acquire new skills from the trainer, you need gold. Gold enhances your character in World of Warcraft as in any other MMORPG game.
The most important factor that contributes to building your character in World of Warcraft is to become a professional early i.e. to take up or grab a profession like skinning or mining. Killing animals and selling their skin to others is a profitable profession that rakes in gold as well as moulds your character by leveling out, two birds with one arrow. Mining, similarly can give you unexpected mounds of valuable or demanded mineral ores that can be sold for a premium to make a killing profit and enhance your profession as well. That is the value of profession and its contribution to your character building.
World of Warcraft undoubtedly integrates the best questing compared to other MMORPG games. Quests can be used to give you a huge advantage over others. Always get hold of a quest whenever you can. Leveling a quest takes little time, but EXP gained from killings in the quest and the rewards of completing a quest have their distinct advantages like gaining some important items and of course money. Add on bonuses of quest completion can lend you greater speed and better character through becoming richer.
Usage of gears in World of Warcraft is certainly advantageous but will deplete your gold resources heavily. Investing in gears in the initial levels from 1 to 40 would not be worth the gold spent. These levels have lesser gear dependency and you can complete these levels from what you gain from the quests. Keep the gold and wisely invest in higher level gears.
Keep track and observe the drops of your kills. Humanoids in World of Warcraft drop more items and gold compared to other mobs, so, level yourself killing as many humanoids as you can.
The bottom-line is Gold, the more you have, the better off you would be, World of Warcraft or not. All the best
World of Warcraft is one game that can be worked around if one has a lot of Gold. Gold possession is the most important aspect of playing. Gold is the basic foundation of your existence in the game. To buy items form other players and vendors, you need gold. To get training and acquire new skills from the trainer, you need gold. Gold enhances your character in World of Warcraft as in any other MMORPG game.
The most important factor that contributes to building your character in World of Warcraft is to become a professional early i.e. to take up or grab a profession like skinning or mining. Killing animals and selling their skin to others is a profitable profession that rakes in gold as well as moulds your character by leveling out, two birds with one arrow. Mining, similarly can give you unexpected mounds of valuable or demanded mineral ores that can be sold for a premium to make a killing profit and enhance your profession as well. That is the value of profession and its contribution to your character building.
World of Warcraft undoubtedly integrates the best questing compared to other MMORPG games. Quests can be used to give you a huge advantage over others. Always get hold of a quest whenever you can. Leveling a quest takes little time, but EXP gained from killings in the quest and the rewards of completing a quest have their distinct advantages like gaining some important items and of course money. Add on bonuses of quest completion can lend you greater speed and better character through becoming richer.
Usage of gears in World of Warcraft is certainly advantageous but will deplete your gold resources heavily. Investing in gears in the initial levels from 1 to 40 would not be worth the gold spent. These levels have lesser gear dependency and you can complete these levels from what you gain from the quests. Keep the gold and wisely invest in higher level gears.
Keep track and observe the drops of your kills. Humanoids in World of Warcraft drop more items and gold compared to other mobs, so, level yourself killing as many humanoids as you can.
The bottom-line is Gold, the more you have, the better off you would be, World of Warcraft or not. All the best
Sunday, February 4, 2007
What Is An Un-circulated Coin?
You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?"
Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. This wear, even if very minor, will cause a coin to no longer grade un-circulated.
When coins are minted they often bump into each other and receive small nicks and abrasion marks during the production process. These marks also occur as coins are transported in large canvas bags. These marks, sometimes called "bag marks", are more noticeable on larger coins, such as half dollars and dollars. Typical "bag marks" do not keep a coin from grading un-circulated. However, they can be an indicator of how high of a grade the un-circulated coin might receive.
Current accepted grading standards provide for a range of un-circulated grades, from the grade of MS-60 to MS-70. MS60 would be a lower grade (yet still) un-circulated coin with normal bag marks for that type of coin. Anything below MS-60 would not be considered un-circulated. MS70 would be the perfect "ideal" coin. Some coins are rare in grades MS65 to MS70, and even unheard of in MS70 grade. (The attribute "MS" stands for "mint state".)
A newly minted proof coin is also un-circulated, however it is the way it is made that causes a difference in appearance and qualifies it as a "proof". To understand this, let's look at how coins are made. Coins are produced when two dies strike a blank piece of metal with tremendous force. One die is engraved with the front (obverse) design for the coin. The other die has the back (reverse) coin design on it.
A proof coin is made with a specially polished and treated die! By treating the die in a special way, the coins it produces have a different appearance. Modern technology allows the high points on the coin design to be acid treated (on the die). The background (field) design of the coin die is polished, resulting in a mirror-like look on the coin it strikes. This gives the finished coin a frosted look (frosting) on the raise parts of the design, with a mirror like finish on the background. This contrasting finish is often called "cameo". On some older coins a cameo appearance is quite rare. The attribute "CAM", when added to a coin's description, means cameo appearance. "DCAM" means deep cameo, and indicates the cameo appearance is strong and easy to observe.
You may have heard the terms proof coin and un-circulated coin, but what's the difference between these two? To understand the difference between a proof and un-circulated coin, let's first answer the question, "What is an un-circulated coin?"
Un-circulated means a coin has not had any wear, such as the wear a coin might experience when it is used in commerce. Handling a coin, as well as improperly storing a coin, can result in wear on the surface of the coin. This wear, even if very minor, will cause a coin to no longer grade un-circulated.
When coins are minted they often bump into each other and receive small nicks and abrasion marks during the production process. These marks also occur as coins are transported in large canvas bags. These marks, sometimes called "bag marks", are more noticeable on larger coins, such as half dollars and dollars. Typical "bag marks" do not keep a coin from grading un-circulated. However, they can be an indicator of how high of a grade the un-circulated coin might receive.
Current accepted grading standards provide for a range of un-circulated grades, from the grade of MS-60 to MS-70. MS60 would be a lower grade (yet still) un-circulated coin with normal bag marks for that type of coin. Anything below MS-60 would not be considered un-circulated. MS70 would be the perfect "ideal" coin. Some coins are rare in grades MS65 to MS70, and even unheard of in MS70 grade. (The attribute "MS" stands for "mint state".)
A newly minted proof coin is also un-circulated, however it is the way it is made that causes a difference in appearance and qualifies it as a "proof". To understand this, let's look at how coins are made. Coins are produced when two dies strike a blank piece of metal with tremendous force. One die is engraved with the front (obverse) design for the coin. The other die has the back (reverse) coin design on it.
A proof coin is made with a specially polished and treated die! By treating the die in a special way, the coins it produces have a different appearance. Modern technology allows the high points on the coin design to be acid treated (on the die). The background (field) design of the coin die is polished, resulting in a mirror-like look on the coin it strikes. This gives the finished coin a frosted look (frosting) on the raise parts of the design, with a mirror like finish on the background. This contrasting finish is often called "cameo". On some older coins a cameo appearance is quite rare. The attribute "CAM", when added to a coin's description, means cameo appearance. "DCAM" means deep cameo, and indicates the cameo appearance is strong and easy to observe.
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Why Asia Owns America
The Forgotten Benefits of the Gold Standard
One of the benefits of the gold standard, long forgotten, was that it acted to regulate imbalances in trade. Under the gold standard, trade imbalances between countries were unsustainable because they would self correct over time. Here is an example of how that worked: When a country would export more than it imported, it would accumulated more gold. That is because it could take the surplus foreign currency received in trade and convert it to gold.
As you have learned, when gold entered a country from outside its borders, it always caused inflation. That is because the surplus of gold (money) relative to the goods and services available for purchase always bids up those prices. When a country's goods become more expensive, they also become less attractive to its trading partners. As a result, the country cannot export as much as it once could.
Back in the days of the gold standard, more gold would then flow out of the country than would come in, because imports would exceed exports. Because of less gold in the country, prices would eventually decline to where they had been originally.
World War I began in 1914, although the United States did not enter the war until 1917. In the early years of the war, England and France depended heavily on the United States to provide them with arms. As a result, gold flowed into the Unites States, while arms flowed out. The incoming gold allowed the banks to loan more money, causing the money supply in the U.S. to increase by nearly 50 percent during the period 1914 -1917.
When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, England and France had all but exhausted their supplies of gold. As a favor to England and France, the U.S. suspended the gold standard and began providing armaments on credit. Additionally, the U.S. printed money to provide for its own troops. During the next three years, the money supply again increased by almost 50 percent. When the war was over, the Allies looted Germany. With the spoils, England and France paid back their loans to the United States. As a result, even more gold flowed into the United States.
The Forgotten Benefits of the Gold Standard
One of the benefits of the gold standard, long forgotten, was that it acted to regulate imbalances in trade. Under the gold standard, trade imbalances between countries were unsustainable because they would self correct over time. Here is an example of how that worked: When a country would export more than it imported, it would accumulated more gold. That is because it could take the surplus foreign currency received in trade and convert it to gold.
As you have learned, when gold entered a country from outside its borders, it always caused inflation. That is because the surplus of gold (money) relative to the goods and services available for purchase always bids up those prices. When a country's goods become more expensive, they also become less attractive to its trading partners. As a result, the country cannot export as much as it once could.
Back in the days of the gold standard, more gold would then flow out of the country than would come in, because imports would exceed exports. Because of less gold in the country, prices would eventually decline to where they had been originally.
World War I began in 1914, although the United States did not enter the war until 1917. In the early years of the war, England and France depended heavily on the United States to provide them with arms. As a result, gold flowed into the Unites States, while arms flowed out. The incoming gold allowed the banks to loan more money, causing the money supply in the U.S. to increase by nearly 50 percent during the period 1914 -1917.
When the U.S. entered the war in 1917, England and France had all but exhausted their supplies of gold. As a favor to England and France, the U.S. suspended the gold standard and began providing armaments on credit. Additionally, the U.S. printed money to provide for its own troops. During the next three years, the money supply again increased by almost 50 percent. When the war was over, the Allies looted Germany. With the spoils, England and France paid back their loans to the United States. As a result, even more gold flowed into the United States.
Setting a diamond - What to know.
When it comes to placing your new diamond in a setting there are a couple of things to take into consideration.
Number of Prongs How many prongs you get is up to you. The more prongs, the more secure the diamond will be. At the same time I dont feel that having only four prongs makes your diamond more likely to fall out. It is a matter of taste.
Material of Prongs What the prongs are made of does make a big difference. Your choices are usually gold or platinum. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold. Gold prongs can get bent and over time wear down. Platinum prongs will stay as new as the day you bought it and are less likely to bend.
Ring material This is a matter of taste and budget. Where most people are concerned is white gold verses platinum. Lets take a look at both:
White gold
White gold is made by mixing gold and other white metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum. This mixing causes the gold to change colors into a white or silver look. The color is not exactly as white as jewelers and customers would like it so they electroplate the white gold with rhodium making it look much whiter. The only problem with this method is that the electroplating only attaches a thin layer of rhodium that wears off in about a year and needs to be redone in order to get the original shine back. This will cost about $35 dollars if it is an all white gold item that can be plated all at once.
Since white gold is not an element but an alloy of a number of different metals the mixture can be change to suit the application. If a hard metal is needed it can be mixed with nickel or if a softer metal is needed for setting stones it can be mixed with palladium. So remember not all white gold is the same.
Interesting note: Since gold is a yellow color the more gold in white gold the more yellow it will look. A 14k white gold ring will look more yellow than a 10k white gold ring.
Platinum
Well the first thing that you will notice about platinum is that it is way more expensive than white gold. There are a couple of reasons for this. White gold as we mentioned is not all gold so you are not paying for solid gold and platinum is just a more expensive metal. Platinum has many advantages over white gold. First, it is more scratch resistant and will not wear down over time. Second it is much heavier than white gold so when you put it on you feel like you are putting on a major piece of jewelry. Third as it gets older it will hold its color and shape much better than gold. Since platinum is naturally a nice white color if it gets a scratch or dinged it will still look white.
Both materials will need to be cleaned and polished to keep them looking good as new.
* If you plan on getting a ring made of either material it is a good idea to get a higher color grade diamond with these materials. Since they are so white they will make a slightly yellow diamond look even more yellow. If the diamond you are getting has a low color grade you might want to go for yellow gold which tends to hide a yellow diamond better since the metal is yellow.
Yellow Gold -
Yellow gold is the standard ring but seems to be quickly losing ground.
When it comes to placing your new diamond in a setting there are a couple of things to take into consideration.
Number of Prongs How many prongs you get is up to you. The more prongs, the more secure the diamond will be. At the same time I dont feel that having only four prongs makes your diamond more likely to fall out. It is a matter of taste.
Material of Prongs What the prongs are made of does make a big difference. Your choices are usually gold or platinum. Platinum is much stronger and heavier than gold. Gold prongs can get bent and over time wear down. Platinum prongs will stay as new as the day you bought it and are less likely to bend.
Ring material This is a matter of taste and budget. Where most people are concerned is white gold verses platinum. Lets take a look at both:
White gold
White gold is made by mixing gold and other white metals such as silver, nickel, palladium and platinum. This mixing causes the gold to change colors into a white or silver look. The color is not exactly as white as jewelers and customers would like it so they electroplate the white gold with rhodium making it look much whiter. The only problem with this method is that the electroplating only attaches a thin layer of rhodium that wears off in about a year and needs to be redone in order to get the original shine back. This will cost about $35 dollars if it is an all white gold item that can be plated all at once.
Since white gold is not an element but an alloy of a number of different metals the mixture can be change to suit the application. If a hard metal is needed it can be mixed with nickel or if a softer metal is needed for setting stones it can be mixed with palladium. So remember not all white gold is the same.
Interesting note: Since gold is a yellow color the more gold in white gold the more yellow it will look. A 14k white gold ring will look more yellow than a 10k white gold ring.
Platinum
Well the first thing that you will notice about platinum is that it is way more expensive than white gold. There are a couple of reasons for this. White gold as we mentioned is not all gold so you are not paying for solid gold and platinum is just a more expensive metal. Platinum has many advantages over white gold. First, it is more scratch resistant and will not wear down over time. Second it is much heavier than white gold so when you put it on you feel like you are putting on a major piece of jewelry. Third as it gets older it will hold its color and shape much better than gold. Since platinum is naturally a nice white color if it gets a scratch or dinged it will still look white.
Both materials will need to be cleaned and polished to keep them looking good as new.
* If you plan on getting a ring made of either material it is a good idea to get a higher color grade diamond with these materials. Since they are so white they will make a slightly yellow diamond look even more yellow. If the diamond you are getting has a low color grade you might want to go for yellow gold which tends to hide a yellow diamond better since the metal is yellow.
Yellow Gold -
Yellow gold is the standard ring but seems to be quickly losing ground.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Gold Jewelry: The Ultimate Adornment For Style, Beauty And Class
Gold jewelry can never go out of style. It can look good on almost everyone. It is the ultimate amalgamation of classic beauty, wealth and style.
The value of gold jewelry depends not only upon the style or the designer who has designed it, but most importantly it is dependent upon the quality of gold used to make the gold jewelry. The quality of gold in the gold jewelry is determined by its percentage or by the karat. The higher the karat number, the higher the percentage of gold in your gold jewelry. The various karat numbers are 24K, 18K, 14K, 12K and 10K - 24K is pure gold.
Gold jewelry is also available in various forms. In some cases it is plated with gold, in some it is filled with gold and in some others the gold jewelry is made of pure gold. Gold by itself is very soft and isn't practical for daily wear which is why it has to be mixed with other additional metals to give it tensile strength such that it can be molded into various designs. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost).
Adding other metals to the mix also allows metallurgists to change the color of gold. Palladium or nickel can be added to create white gold. Adding copper produces a rose or pink tint, while silver gives gold a greenish cast. If you want jewelry which can be worn regularly then it is wise to get it made out of solid gold (Solid gold is a term that can be used to describe an item that's at least 10K (in the US) gold all the way through. Even though it's a gold alloy--18K, 14K, or anything down to 10K--it can be called solid gold.).
Gold has in a way always stood as a symbol for wealth, prestige and power. Through times immemorial gold jewelry has been the ultimate ornamentation for kings, queens and noblemen. At one point of time, gold jewelry was also seen as a status symbol and was not meant for the common man. It still is looked upon as a status symbol since not every one can afford gold jewelry. However because of the numerous forms in which gold jewelry is available to day (such as plated gold, gold filled, gold coated jewelry or gold jewelry of a lower karat), it can now be easily bought by anyone.
Gold jewelry does not entail very big or intricate designs, it can even be quite small simple and delicate. How so ever a piece of jewelry maybe, it immediately stands out. There is a timeless classic appeal surrounding it which can never go out of fashion. Gold jewelry is not only something which you can buy for yourself or as a gift to someone you love; you can also buy gold jewelry to keep as an asset. The value of gold jewelry does not depreciate, it only appreciates with time. It can prove to be a very valuable investment.
Gold jewelry is the timeless classic statement of personal style, beauty and sophisticated elegance.
Gold jewelry can never go out of style. It can look good on almost everyone. It is the ultimate amalgamation of classic beauty, wealth and style.
The value of gold jewelry depends not only upon the style or the designer who has designed it, but most importantly it is dependent upon the quality of gold used to make the gold jewelry. The quality of gold in the gold jewelry is determined by its percentage or by the karat. The higher the karat number, the higher the percentage of gold in your gold jewelry. The various karat numbers are 24K, 18K, 14K, 12K and 10K - 24K is pure gold.
Gold jewelry is also available in various forms. In some cases it is plated with gold, in some it is filled with gold and in some others the gold jewelry is made of pure gold. Gold by itself is very soft and isn't practical for daily wear which is why it has to be mixed with other additional metals to give it tensile strength such that it can be molded into various designs. Other metals are mixed with it to make it more durable (and to lower its cost).
Adding other metals to the mix also allows metallurgists to change the color of gold. Palladium or nickel can be added to create white gold. Adding copper produces a rose or pink tint, while silver gives gold a greenish cast. If you want jewelry which can be worn regularly then it is wise to get it made out of solid gold (Solid gold is a term that can be used to describe an item that's at least 10K (in the US) gold all the way through. Even though it's a gold alloy--18K, 14K, or anything down to 10K--it can be called solid gold.).
Gold has in a way always stood as a symbol for wealth, prestige and power. Through times immemorial gold jewelry has been the ultimate ornamentation for kings, queens and noblemen. At one point of time, gold jewelry was also seen as a status symbol and was not meant for the common man. It still is looked upon as a status symbol since not every one can afford gold jewelry. However because of the numerous forms in which gold jewelry is available to day (such as plated gold, gold filled, gold coated jewelry or gold jewelry of a lower karat), it can now be easily bought by anyone.
Gold jewelry does not entail very big or intricate designs, it can even be quite small simple and delicate. How so ever a piece of jewelry maybe, it immediately stands out. There is a timeless classic appeal surrounding it which can never go out of fashion. Gold jewelry is not only something which you can buy for yourself or as a gift to someone you love; you can also buy gold jewelry to keep as an asset. The value of gold jewelry does not depreciate, it only appreciates with time. It can prove to be a very valuable investment.
Gold jewelry is the timeless classic statement of personal style, beauty and sophisticated elegance.
Rare and Beautiful World Coins
Ideas for Collecting Coins from Around the World
Collecting world coins is a fun hobby that gives you the feeling of travelling the globe vicariously through your coins. A collection of world coins offers a unique insight into the culture and history of other countries, and encourages you to learn at least a few words of a variety of different languages. World coins can also be an interesting step into the world of coin collecting, because it is a relatively inexpensive pastime. Many of the coins are still in circulation, making them easy to find and light on the pocketbook to buy. Oftentimes, children start their coin collections with world coins for this reason.
Ideas for Collections of World Coins
While some people may enjoy collecting world coins haphazardly, simply enjoying whatever coins they happen to come across, others prefer more of a challenge. While it may be impossible to collect every coin from around the world, you can create a lovely coin collection that is challenging and fun to complete by selecting a particular theme to pursue.
The most obvious theme for a collection of world coins is a concentration on a specific country. If that idea seems a little bit stale, you can also broaden your collection by concentrating on a region or aspect of a country. For example, you could start a world coins collection from South American countries, nations where English is a national language, or from island nations.
Another interesting possibility is to combine two interests by concentrating on a favorite thing or hobby outside of coin collecting. For example, a coffee lover might collect world coins from countries that produce coffee beans, or an auto enthusiast might collect coins from countries that produce his or her favorite automobiles.
You dont have to use countries as a central point of your world coins collection, however; you can also build a collection around a specific motif on the coins themselves. Some people have collections of coins featuring a particular animal, such as an eagle or a panda bear. Others concentrate on flowers, trees, or birds. Someone interested in military history might enjoy a world coins collection featuring famous fighters, for example.
Another idea for starting a collection of world coins is to concentrate your efforts on coins from a particular year. Some people really enjoy collecting world coins that were minted in their birth year, or which commemorate another date that is important to them.
If none of those ideas appeal to you, perhaps youd like to concentrate on a specific metal used to make the world coins. While precious metals like gold and platinum are obvious choices, some people enjoy putting together collections of world coins minted from common nickel or copper.
If any of these ideas have inspired you to start a collection of world coins, you might want to pause a moment before you start building a collection, and check out the prices and availability of coins matching your desired theme. It wont be much fun to start a collection of gold bullion coins, only to realize that you cant afford more than one or two pieces. A few minutes with a world coins catalog will help you decide if your ideal theme for a collection is also feasible with your budget.
Ideas for Collecting Coins from Around the World
Collecting world coins is a fun hobby that gives you the feeling of travelling the globe vicariously through your coins. A collection of world coins offers a unique insight into the culture and history of other countries, and encourages you to learn at least a few words of a variety of different languages. World coins can also be an interesting step into the world of coin collecting, because it is a relatively inexpensive pastime. Many of the coins are still in circulation, making them easy to find and light on the pocketbook to buy. Oftentimes, children start their coin collections with world coins for this reason.
Ideas for Collections of World Coins
While some people may enjoy collecting world coins haphazardly, simply enjoying whatever coins they happen to come across, others prefer more of a challenge. While it may be impossible to collect every coin from around the world, you can create a lovely coin collection that is challenging and fun to complete by selecting a particular theme to pursue.
The most obvious theme for a collection of world coins is a concentration on a specific country. If that idea seems a little bit stale, you can also broaden your collection by concentrating on a region or aspect of a country. For example, you could start a world coins collection from South American countries, nations where English is a national language, or from island nations.
Another interesting possibility is to combine two interests by concentrating on a favorite thing or hobby outside of coin collecting. For example, a coffee lover might collect world coins from countries that produce coffee beans, or an auto enthusiast might collect coins from countries that produce his or her favorite automobiles.
You dont have to use countries as a central point of your world coins collection, however; you can also build a collection around a specific motif on the coins themselves. Some people have collections of coins featuring a particular animal, such as an eagle or a panda bear. Others concentrate on flowers, trees, or birds. Someone interested in military history might enjoy a world coins collection featuring famous fighters, for example.
Another idea for starting a collection of world coins is to concentrate your efforts on coins from a particular year. Some people really enjoy collecting world coins that were minted in their birth year, or which commemorate another date that is important to them.
If none of those ideas appeal to you, perhaps youd like to concentrate on a specific metal used to make the world coins. While precious metals like gold and platinum are obvious choices, some people enjoy putting together collections of world coins minted from common nickel or copper.
If any of these ideas have inspired you to start a collection of world coins, you might want to pause a moment before you start building a collection, and check out the prices and availability of coins matching your desired theme. It wont be much fun to start a collection of gold bullion coins, only to realize that you cant afford more than one or two pieces. A few minutes with a world coins catalog will help you decide if your ideal theme for a collection is also feasible with your budget.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
We Never Seem to Have Enough Time
Quite frankly, I don't think "time" is the problem. The real problem is the number of activities or tasks that we take on. A sign of our time is that we forget how to say "no", and take on far too many things. Oprah Winfrey said it well, I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time."
Our time is like jam, the more you try to spread it, the thinner it gets. We need to be realistic about the amount of time we have available and use our time wisely. Josh Billings once said, Time is like money, the less we have of it to spare the further we make it go."
We need to maintain a proper balance in our life by allocating the time we have. There are occasions where saying no is the best time management practice there is. To quote Carl Sandburg, Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."
We need to determine what activities best utilize our time in order to achieve the results we desire in all areas of our life!
Quite frankly, I don't think "time" is the problem. The real problem is the number of activities or tasks that we take on. A sign of our time is that we forget how to say "no", and take on far too many things. Oprah Winfrey said it well, I've learned that you can't have everything and do everything at the same time."
Our time is like jam, the more you try to spread it, the thinner it gets. We need to be realistic about the amount of time we have available and use our time wisely. Josh Billings once said, Time is like money, the less we have of it to spare the further we make it go."
We need to maintain a proper balance in our life by allocating the time we have. There are occasions where saying no is the best time management practice there is. To quote Carl Sandburg, Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."
We need to determine what activities best utilize our time in order to achieve the results we desire in all areas of our life!
Is There Risk in Real Estate Investing?
I have learned that investing is all about research. So many people express how risky real estate investing can be, however there can be no risk when you know what you are doing. Risk comes from being unsure.
Thorough research provides knowledge about your market or area of investment. In real estate investing knowing your market is the key. Know the population, employment, good locations, supply and demand for housing and other characteristics about your market. This is better than just assuming that property will go up in value or that you will get someone to rent your investment property.
There are a few ways that you can go about getting this type of information:
1) Speak to your city officials to find out the population projection for your desired investment market.
2) Use the Internet to do as much research as possible.
3) Put together a team of professionals. Realtors, lawyers, mortgage brokers, appraisers, property managers etc.
4) Read your local paper.
5) Tour the area and pretend as though you were a resident there.
There are other ways to find information. This may seem like too much work but would you rather put in less work and create more risk?
Anyway these are just some basics on eliminating the so called risk that may be involved in real estate investing.
I have learned that investing is all about research. So many people express how risky real estate investing can be, however there can be no risk when you know what you are doing. Risk comes from being unsure.
Thorough research provides knowledge about your market or area of investment. In real estate investing knowing your market is the key. Know the population, employment, good locations, supply and demand for housing and other characteristics about your market. This is better than just assuming that property will go up in value or that you will get someone to rent your investment property.
There are a few ways that you can go about getting this type of information:
1) Speak to your city officials to find out the population projection for your desired investment market.
2) Use the Internet to do as much research as possible.
3) Put together a team of professionals. Realtors, lawyers, mortgage brokers, appraisers, property managers etc.
4) Read your local paper.
5) Tour the area and pretend as though you were a resident there.
There are other ways to find information. This may seem like too much work but would you rather put in less work and create more risk?
Anyway these are just some basics on eliminating the so called risk that may be involved in real estate investing.
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