Gold nuggets are a completely different item from gold coins or gold bars for many reasons. First, they are very rare. They are either found on the ground, or in streams and rivers. They are not discovered in mines. Most gold nuggets that are new to the market come from Australia.
It is one of the only locations known in the world that still regularly produces gold nuggets. Second, gold nuggets sell for more than the gold that is contained within them. Depending on the size of one, that amount could reach up to 50%.
The purchasing of gold nuggets is a very tricky business indeed, and if this will be your first time doing it, you really need to be extremely careful. Each day, you can check the spot price of gold, and know what a gold bar should be selling for. In addition, you can get quotes on the exact same bar from numerous dealers by only making a few phone calls.
That cannot be said about gold nuggets since each one is a unique item. There are highly experienced experts that operate in this market, and a novice looking to enter it for the first time will be at a distinct disadvantage.
There are a few dealers that specialize in gold nuggets, and if you want to purchase some of them, this is who you should be dealing with. Almost every gold dealer will tell you that they have a supply of them, but they are only getting them from the experts that concentrate on the item, and you will pay much more for them if you utilize this approach.
Gold nuggets can also be bought on online auction sites like eBay from other individuals. Needless to say, this is very risky, and the beginner should not try this under any circumstance.