Capstone Metals — gold and silver IRA dealer
Speak with a specialist: (800) 200-9553Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm Pacific

Education

How a Gold IRA works, start to finish

A Gold IRA works exactly like the IRA you already have, with one difference: the custodian buys and stores physical bullion on the account's behalf instead of holding securities.

Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm Pacific

  • Licensed and insured since 2014
  • Fiduciary advisory — licensed since 1970
  • Preferred Trust & GoldStar custodians
  • No card payments, no pressure, no commissions-first pitch

Step 1

Open account

Step 2

Fund by transfer

Step 3

Select metals

Step 4

Depository storage

Opening and funding

You open a self-directed IRA with an approved custodian, then fund it by transfer, rollover, or annual contribution within IRS limits.

Physical gold coins in a wooden tray beside a retirement ledger, glasses and fountain pen on a desk
A self-directed Gold IRA holds the real thing — physical coins recorded in the account ledger and held by a qualified custodian, not a fund share that tracks a price.
Describe this illustration: Physical gold coins in a wooden tray beside a retirement ledger, glasses and fountain pen on a desk

A self-directed Gold IRA lets you hold physical gold — real coins in a custodian's vault — inside a tax-advantaged retirement account, not an ETF that merely tracks the price. The ledger, glasses and fountain pen in this scene are the paperwork that proves the metal is titled in your name and held by an IRS-approved custodian such as Preferred Trust Company or GoldStar Trust Company. Capstone Metals coordinates the custodian, the depository and the purchase end to end, so a 401(k) or IRA rollover into physical gold moves as a direct trustee-to-trustee transfer with no distribution and no tax event — the protected, step-by-step path this page walks you through.

Three-role diagram distinguishing the dealer who sells metal, the custodian who holds the account and the depository that stores the metal
Three separate parties. Capstone is the dealer — never the custodian, trustee or depository.
Describe this illustration: Three-role diagram distinguishing the dealer who sells metal, the custodian who holds the account and the depository that stores the metal

Three separate parties. Capstone is the dealer — never the custodian, trustee or depository. This original Capstone Metals diagram illustrates three-role diagram distinguishing the dealer who sells metal, the custodian who holds the account and the depository that stores the metal. It is educational artwork, not a price forecast, performance record or recommendation.

Buying the metal

You choose the products. The custodian pays the dealer from IRA funds — the money never passes through your hands, which is what keeps the tax treatment intact.

Storage and reporting

Metal ships insured to an IRS-approved depository, held in segregated or commingled storage. The custodian reports the account value annually and you can request an inventory at any time.

Taking it out

From 59½ you can take distributions in cash or in kind. Traditional accounts have required minimum distributions from 73; Roth accounts do not.

Rather just ask someone?

A specialist can answer this in two minutes. Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm Pacific.

Would a short, no-pressure conversation help?

Leave your name and number. A Capstone specialist will answer your questions during business hours.

Most gold and silver firms can only talk to you about gold and silver. We have licensed advisors on staff, so the same conversation can cover your retirement accounts, your market holdings, insurance and estate structure alongside a completely private metals purchase — one fiduciary review of everything you own, not a sales call about one product.

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Licensed and insuredFiduciary advisory since 1970Independent IRA custodiansPrices quoted, never card-charged

Want a number rather than a conversation first? Request current gold pricing — itemized spot reference and premium, with the research and its limits sent afterwards.

Common questions

Do I own the specific coins?
In segregated storage, yes — your exact items are held apart and identifiable. Commingled storage entitles you to like items.
Can I see my metal?
Depositories accommodate scheduled inspections with the custodian's authorisation.

Get the plain-English walkthrough

A short guide covering the whole process, no phone number required.

Licensed and insuredFiduciary advisory since 1970Independent IRA custodiansPrices quoted, never card-charged
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