Retirement Living takes an unbiased approach to our reviews. We may earn money when you click a partner link. Learn More
APMEX Review
4.5 Overall Rating
Customer Care
Pricing
Reliability
Ease of Purchase
Bottom Line
APMEX offers a wide selection of precious metals to get you started with a Gold IRA. APMEX is the largest online precious metals dealer in the world and provides a variety of over 10,000 items. Owning an individual retirement account holding gold or silver is often useful for diversifying retirement savings with a stable long-term investment.
Updated:
About APMEX Gold
APMEX offers a wide selection of precious metals to support your gold IRA goals. APMEX is one of the largest online dealers. They offer over 10,000 APMEX products. Holding gold or silver within an individual retirement account can help diversify retirement savings with a more stable, long-term investment.
APMEX is a precious metals dealer specializing in supplying metals for gold IRA accounts. Based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, APMEX has built a reputation as a leader in the precious metals industry.
Since 1999, APMEX has supplied investors with precious metals and bullion, including gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, and rare coins for both personal storage and investment in gold IRAs. APMEX also buys precious metals from clients wishing to liquidate their holdings.
The APMEX website features a broad selection of metals and coins, making it easy for clients to browse investment options. The company regularly updates its inventory to reflect new offers and market changes. APMEX also offers rare and foreign coins, numismatic items, and other collectibles for coin enthusiasts.
Pros
- Large selection of gold and other precious metals
- A recognized leader in gold IRAs
- Orders over $199 ship free (U.S. domestic)
- Customer satisfaction guarantee
- Fully-insured shipments
Cons
- Shipping times may vary (average of 1-3 business days)
Gold and other precious metal IRAs are an investment and carry risk. Consumers should be alert to claims that customers can make a lot of money in these or any investment with little risk. As with any investment, you can lose money and past performance is not a guarantee of future performance results. Consumers should also obtain a clear understanding of the fees associated with any investment before agreeing to invest.
Opening an APMEX Gold IRA
A gold IRA is a self-directed retirement account that holds IRS-approved precious metals. Funds are directed through an IRA custodian, and the IRS-approved metals are stored in a secure depository. Gold and silver IRAs can enhance a retirement portfolio by offering asset stability amid a changing financial market.
While APMEX sells precious metals for general purposes, it specializes in helping APMEX customers establish and fund gold IRAs. To begin, contact a specialist and specify that your purchase is intended for an IRA. The specialist will guide you through the process, including:
- Opening a dedicated custodian account: Per IRS rules, an IRA must use a qualified custodian to hold assets.
- Funding the account: Via new contributions or by rolling over funds from an existing IRA.
- Selecting and purchasing IRA-approved metals: IRS rules dictate which precious metals qualify for IRA use.
Eligible gold bars, coins, and rounds generally must be 0.995 fine (with the Gold American Eagle allowed at 0.9167). Silver must typically be 0.999 fine. Platinum and palladium must meet 0.9995 purity or higher.
APMEX simplifies access to IRA-approved products by grouping them together in a dedicated section on its website. You can browse the full catalog or filter by metal type like gold, silver, platinum, or palladium.
APMEX Gold IRA Costs
Unlike many precious metals dealers, APMEX publishes live pricing on its website. The site displays real-time spot prices for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. Precious metal pricing can change quickly. Price fluctuations are based on market volatility, metal availability, and other factors.
AMPEX carries a variety of PAMP Suisse gold and silver products, known for their exceptional quality, purity, and globally recognized hallmark.
You can often benefit from discounted premiums when buying in bulk. The following chart shows sample prices for popular precious metals at APMEX.
| Form | Starting Cost* |
|---|---|
| 1 oz American Eagle Gold Coin | $4,330.59 |
| 1 oz American Eagle Silver Coin | $62.38 |
| 1 oz American Eagle Platinum Coin | $2,012.99 |
| 1 oz Gold Bar | $4,307.29 |
| 1 oz Silver Bar | $58.31 |
| 10 oz Gold Bar | $42,374.90 |
| 10 oz Silver Bar | $544.10 |
*As of October 2025
How to Buy Precious Metals from APMEX
To purchase IRA-eligible metals from APMEX, contact a specialist (often by phone call) as your first step. The specialist will help you choose metals that comply with IRS rules.
Buying metals from APMEX is as straightforward as any online transaction, with a clear cancellation policy. Select the metals you want and add them to your online cart. Because prices can fluctuate, you typically have about 10 minutes to complete your order after placing items in the cart.
After selecting your precious metals, create an account or check out as a guest. You can use credit/debit cards, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, electronic checks, or a bank wire to complete your order. Over time, you may also gain the option to pay with a personal check or ACH transfer. Precious metals orders may incur state sales tax depending on your state of residence. Shipping is typically $9.95 for orders under $199 (U.S. domestic); orders above $199 qualify for free and fast shipping.
Gold Shipping and Storage with APMEX
Because of IRS rules, you cannot personally take possession of precious metals held in an IRA. While home storage is available for non-IRA holdings, it is generally not recommended for large amounts of metals due to security risks. IRA clients who elect storage pay a monthly custodial fee for depository holding.
The storage facility is Citadel Global Depository Services (operating within Brink’s secure vault infrastructure), a partner of APMEX. Storage fees vary based on the value of your holdings and the service chosen. For example, portfolios valued at $25,000 or less may incur around $15 per month in storage fees. You may also incur a handling or withdrawal fee (often $50–$75) plus shipping fees when you take metals out of storage.
APMEX Complaints
APMEX is a leader in the precious metals industry and generally receives positive online customer reviews. On ConsumerAffairs, APMEX has a rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars.
On Trustpilot, APMEX holds a rating of 1.6 out of 5, with reviewers having a good experience and praising its product quality, variety, and customer service. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) gives the precious metals company an A+ rating. Some clients report variable shipping times under certain conditions.
APMEX FAQs
For domestic orders, there is often no minimum; however, international orders or those using credit cards/cryptocurrency may require a $250 minimum. Some payment methods, like bank wire or eCheck, may allow lower or no minimums—but check APMEX’s current terms.
APMEX suggests allocating around 4% to 12% of your portfolio to precious metals for diversification.
Yes, under certain conditions, APMEX accepts trade-ins of gold, silver, and platinum. Consult a specialist for details.
The company often provides exclusive promotions to mailing list subscribers. To sign up, create an account on the website.
Yes, APMEX provides guarantees for most products and supports returns, refunds, or exchanges (subject to product eligibility). Contact customer service for specifics.
Gold or precious metals mutual funds invest in gold-related industries, primarily mining companies. These mutual funds are often appropriate for an IRA or 401(k), but invest in no actual gold. The value of a gold IRA is determined by the physical metal held in the account.
Conclusion
Whether you are starting a gold IRA or acquiring precious metals or collectible coins, APMEX offers competitive prices, robust features, and supportive customer support. An APMEX specialist can assist you with questions or guide you through every step of opening a gold IRA.