this gold price per ounce More than $2,700 last October —This historical record has turned the attention of many investors to physical gold bullion. If you are considering adding bullion to your portfolio but aren't sure where or how to start, you're not alone.

Buying gold bullion is not the same as buying stocks or bonds through a brokerage account. What You Must Know About Purity Verification, Safety storage and other critical steps before making your first purchase. Below, we'll break down what you should know about buying and owning gold bullion in 2025.

Start exploring your top physical gold investment options now.

How to buy gold bars

According to Steven Feldman, co-founder and CEO of GBI, a leading institutional precious metals provider, and Michael Petch, co-founder and president of Argo Digital Gold, buying gold bars involves four distinct steps:

Choose where to buy gold bars

You'll find multiple places selling gold bullion, each with its own advantages depending on your preferences:

• Online resellers offering drop shipping or vault storage
• major retailers Such as Costco or Walmart (usually 1 oz gold bars)
• Your broker-dealer (if they offer physical gold products)
• Digital marketplace specializing in precious metals

Invest in gold online now.

Research the dealer and verify its legitimacy

"Find a reputable dealer that owns the gold bars you (want to) purchase and has regulatory approval to ship them to your address," Page advises. one Trustworthy Gold Dealer There are these "green flags":

• Established reputation and transparent business practices
• Clear pricing and reasonable premium over spot prices
• Investment grade gold bars (99.5% purity)
• Proper licensing and regulatory compliance

Compare products and prices

Check stock availability and Pricing Buy online before buying gold bars. When comparing, consider the following:

• Rod size and weight
• Price premium relative to spot gold
• Delivery or storage options
• Accepted payment methods

Complete your purchase and decide on storage

After you've shopped around and done your research, take the following steps:

• If purchasing online, please register for an account
• Choose your payment method (usually bank transfer or credit card)
• Deciding whether to take physical delivery or use a dealer’s storage service
• If picking up goods, please arrange secure storage

What you need to know before investing in gold bullion

Feldman reminds us that buying gold bullion is more than just choosing a dealer and making a purchase. You also have to think about where you're going store your goldwhat will you do protect itwhat quality to buy and How much to invest:

Storage fee

If you choose not to store your gold bullion at home, you will need to pay for professional storage services. Not all bullion dealers offer storage services. But when they do, they usually charge a fixed annual fee or a percentage of the gold's value.

insurance coverage

Most homeowners policies place strict limits on precious metal coverage. This makes it particularly difficult to insure gold bullion domestically. Many buyers believe that bank safes provide protection, but these safes do not have automatic insurance.

Professional warehousing facilities offer better insurance options, such as all-risks. This prevents gold bullion from being stolen, lost and damaged. Before choosing a facility, ask about its coverage, exclusions, and claims procedures.

Purity requirements

Not all gold bars are the same when it comes to purity standards. “It’s critical to focus on investment-grade gold bars,” Feldman said. A purity level of at least 99.5% ensures that your gold bars retain their value and are easier to sell when the need arises.

strategic configuration

Industry professionals and major financial institutions recommend limiting gold to 5% to 10% of the overall investment portfolio. However, this approach is best suited for long-term wealth preservation and portfolio diversification. “Gold tends to appreciate slowly over time and may experience periods of volatility,” warned CGS Coins CEO David Damico. “If (you) are focused on short-term profits or growth, gold may not be the best fit. ”

Learn more about gold bullion investing here.

bottom line

Buying Gold Bullion in 2025 May Be a Smart Move Diversify your investment portfolio. But success depends on careful planning and working with the right partners. “If possible, buy through your wealth manager, who offers the best products, pricing, liquidity, storage options and reliability,” encourages Feldman.

If you are purchasing through an online reseller, verify their reputation and business practices. Look for competitive pricing, clear premiums, secure storage facilities and dedicated customer service for future purchases. Finally, talk to a financial advisor who understands precious metals to develop a plan that works for you long term investment horizon.