Depending on your application requirements of precious metals, you can search for relevant information about precious metals, their production process and price trends.

If you want to pursue a career in the precious metal industry, you can learn about precious metal refineries and relevant processes. You can also read about the precious metal recovery process, as some precious metal suppliers use this process for the production of precious metals from scrap.

If you want to buy precious metals, you must have enough information about the trends in precious metal prices and reputable suppliers of precious metals.

You can educate yourself and your employees on precious metals by:

1. Reading basic information about the precious metals production processes
2. Joining associations for companies in the precious metal industry
3. Compiling and analyzing important statistical information about the precious metal industry

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Join associations of precious metals dealers and suppliers

You can join various associations to learn about new technologies and upcoming events in the precious metal industry.

I recommend: International Precious Metals Institute (IPMI) is an international association where precious metal refiners, fabricators, scientists and other related parties can exchange information and technology regarding the precious metal industry. Those who are associated with the silver industry can join The Silver Users Association, a non-profit organization that represents the interests of companies that make, sell and distribute products and services in which silver is an essential component. The Industry Council for Tangible Assets (ICTA) is a national trade association that is proactive in proposing laws that could benefit the precious metal industry.

Find magazines and technical articles that provide information on precious metals

You can keep yourself updated with the latest developments in the field of precious metals by reading technical articles and magazines related to the precious metal industry.

I recommend: Those who deal in precious metal materials can subscribe to the online edition of Commodities Now, a quarterly magazine by Isherwood Production. You can also subscribe to Metallurgist, a journal that provides information about the metallurgy of ferrous and nonferrous metals, including precious metals.

Compile statistical information related to the precious metals industry

If you are a precious metal company, you can compile information about geological surveys and precious metal production and consumption rates and prices. Information provided by the government authorities and associations of precious metal producing companies is preferable because of its authenticity.

I recommend: U.S. Geological Survey provides statistics and information on different minerals and metals including precious metals. To get online precious metals prices, subscribe to MetalPrices.com, a website that also provides historical precious metals prices.

The price of precious metals is rising as world demand increases. Gold, silver, platinum, and palladium are all readily available in many forms. Bullion is generally sold in bars or ingots. Gold and silver also are sold in coin form. Both coins and bars are minted as both generic bullion and as art bars and coins. Bars and coins can weigh a few grams to several pounds. The international standard measure used for precious metals is the troy ounce. One troy ounce is equal to 31.1 grams. One troy pound equals 12 troy ounces.

Buying and selling precious metals online has many advantages. For example, you can run your business from home and reach a larger number of potential buyers than operating a traditional coin shop. Whether you want to buy precious metals in bar form or as coins, the Internet offers a variety of services to help you get started.

The following recommendations and online resources will help you to get started with precious metals investing:

1. Track precious metal prices online.

2. Buy precious metals over the Internet.

3. Sell precious metals through web-based services.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Monitor precious metal prices on multiple websites

Precious metals investing involves a fair amount of risk. Be sure that you understand the market before investing a lot of money in precious metals. Watching the markets will help you to know when to buy and sell.

I recommend: The Bullion Desk provides real-time and historical precious metal prices. You can also purchase premium research services from this company. Kitco offers precious metal prices for a variety of metals. The company provides quotes from many international precious metals markets.

Purchase precious metals from online suppliers

The Internet is home to several precious metal suppliers. Buy direct from the mint or from an online dealer. You will receive a discount if you purchase larger quantities from precious metals dealers.

I recommend: Northwest Territorial Mint buys and sells a variety of precious metals. The company mints its own bullion, and also sells coins and bars from various national mints. Apmex sells a variety of precious metal coins and bullion. The company offers many wholesale lots.

Sell your precious metals online

Make the most money from your precious metals sales by selling bars and coins through online trading websites, and selling your scrap to precious metal refiners. You can set your own price when you use an online trading website, while precious metal refineries will generally pay close to the spot price. If you have scrap jewelry or other items made from precious metals lying around, consider selling them to make some money.

I recommend: Bullion Direct allows buyers and sellers to trade in an online precious metals market called the Nucleo Exchange. Place an order to buy or sell silver online. Midwest Refineries purchases and refines a variety of precious metal scrap. The company has no minimum requirements, nor is any amount too large.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you are interested in investing in precious metals but don't want to hold physical bullion, consider investing in a precious metal mutual fund or exchange traded fund.