This article warns new investors to avoid overpriced TV gold dealers and instead learn how to compare prices to melt value. It stresses the importance of owning physical metal rather than relying on ETFs, while also building positions gradually instead of going all‑in at once. Finally, it highlights the usefulness of fractional gold and the strong long‑term potential of silver, which surged sharply in 2025 and may continue to outperform.

Bullet‑Point Sheet

• Avoid TV dealers with celebrity spokesmen — they often overcharge 50–200% over melt

• Learn to calculate melt value and compare it to the asking price

• ETFs are convenient but don’t give you direct ownership; physical metal is safer long‑term

• Don’t go all‑in — diversify and build your metals position gradually

• Fractional gold has higher premiums but allows steady, manageable accumulation

• Silver is affordable, liquid, volatile, and historically explosive in bull markets

• Silver rose 149% in 2025 and may surpass $100 in coming years, according to some analysts

Top 5 Precious Metals Tips for 2026 – Joshua D. Glawson