Best Precious Metals Dealers Compared: APMEX vs JM Bullion vs SD Bullion 2026

Choosing the right precious metals dealer is one of the most important decisions you'll make as an investor. With hundreds of dealers operating online, each with different pricing structures, services, and policies, knowing which to trust can be overwhelming.

This comprehensive comparison analyzes the three leading precious metals dealers—APMEX, JM Bullion, and SD Bullion—to help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

The Precious Metals Market in 2026

Before comparing dealers, let's look at current market conditions:

• Gold: $4,598.80 per troy ounce
• Silver: $90.66 per troy ounce
• Platinum: $2,340.00 per troy ounce
• Palladium: $1,742.00 per troy ounce

All four precious metals are down for the day, reflecting broader market volatility. This makes dealer selection even more critical—small differences in premiums translate to significant savings on purchases.

APMEX: The Market Leader

Company Overview

APMEX (American Precious Metals Exchange) is one of the largest precious metals retailers in the United States, operating since 1999. With headquarters in Oklahoma City, APMEX processes over $100 million in precious metals annually.

Product Selection

Strength: Best-in-class selection

APMEX offers over 10,000 products, including:

• Gold and silver bars in all weights
• Rare and collectible coins
• Platinum and palladium products
• Pre-1933 U.S. coins
• World coins and bullion
• Numismatic certificates and authentication

Pricing and Premiums

• Gold coins: 5-8% above spot
• Gold bars: 3-5% above spot
• Silver coins: 6-10% above spot
• Silver bars: 2-4% above spot

APMEX's premiums are competitive but slightly higher than specialized retailers, reflecting their vast inventory and consumer brand recognition.

Shipping

• Free shipping on orders over $500
• Standard delivery: 3-7 business days
• Expedited options available
• Full insurance included

Customer Service

• Availability: 24/7 phone support
• Languages: English and Spanish
• Response time: 30 minutes average
• Rating: 4.7/5 stars (from 2,000+ reviews)

Buyback Program

APMEX offers live buyback quotes, allowing you to sell gold back at competitive market rates. The bidding process is transparent and immediate.

Unique Features

• Educational content library (100+ articles)
• Price alert notifications
• Mobile app for easy browsing
• Subscription service for regular purchases
• IRA-eligible products

Best For

• First-time buyers seeking vast selection
• Collectors interested in rare coins
• Investors wanting 24/7 support
• Those prioritizing convenience over the absolute lowest price

Visit APMEX: www.apmex.com

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JM Bullion: The Value Leader

Company Overview

JM Bullion entered the market in 2011 and has rapidly built a reputation for offering some of the lowest premiums in the industry while maintaining exceptional customer service. Based in Dallas, Texas, they've become the go-to choice for value-conscious investors.

Product Selection

Strength: Focused selection with low prices

JM Bullion carries 1,500+ products, concentrating on bestselling items:

• Premium gold and silver bars
• Popular coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands)
• Platinum and palladium bullion
• Limited rare coin selection
• IRA-approved products

While their selection is smaller than APMEX, they focus on high-volume items with the lowest possible premiums.

Pricing and Premiums

• Gold coins: 4-6% above spot
• Gold bars: 2-4% above spot
• Silver coins: 5-8% above spot
• Silver bars: 1.5-3% above spot

Competitive Advantage: JM Bullion consistently offers the lowest premiums in the industry. On a $5,000 purchase, their pricing could save you $150-300 compared to larger dealers.

Shipping

• Free shipping on orders over $500
• Standard delivery: 3-7 business days
• Insurance included
• No hidden fees

Customer Service

• Availability: 8 AM - 5 PM CST, Monday-Friday
• Response time: 15-30 minutes
• Rating: 4.8/5 stars (from 2,500+ reviews)
• No pressure: Consultants don't push upsells

Payment Options

JM Bullion offers more flexible payment than most dealers:

• Credit/debit cards
• Bank wire transfer (no fee)
• ACH transfers (no fee)
• Check payment (mail-in)

Buyback Program

Live spot prices for buybacks. You'll see exactly what you'll receive before selling.

Unique Features

• Price-matching guarantee
• Flexible payment options
• No-pressure consultation calls
• Educational webinars
• Reddit community (active in r/silverbugs)

Best For

• Value-conscious investors
• Those making large purchases
• Repeat customers with loyalty accounts
• Buyers seeking transparent pricing
• Those who need flexibility in payment methods

Visit JM Bullion: www.jmbullion.com

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SD Bullion: The Wholesale Leader

Company Overview

SD Bullion (San Diego Bullion) specializes in wholesale-level precious metals, targeting both individual investors and dealers. Operating since 2012, they've built trust through consistently competitive pricing and straightforward business practices.

Product Selection

Strength: Wholesale pricing on popular items

SD Bullion carries 2,000+ items with strong focus on:

• Gold bars (1 gram to 1 kilogram)
• Silver bars and coins
• Platinum and palladium bullion
• Bulk quantities and dealer packages
• IRA-eligible products

Pricing and Premiums

• Gold coins: 4-7% above spot
• Gold bars: 2.5-4% above spot
• Silver coins: 5-8% above spot
• Silver bars: 1.5-3% above spot

SD Bullion positions itself between APMEX and JM Bullion, offering near-wholesale pricing with exceptional customer service.

Shipping

• Free shipping on orders over $500
• Standard delivery: 2-5 business days (faster than competitors)
• Full insurance coverage
• Secure packaging (well-reviewed)

Customer Service

• Availability: 9 AM - 5 PM PST, Monday-Friday
• Response time: 30-60 minutes
• Rating: 4.6/5 stars (from 1,800+ reviews)
• Consultative approach: Team takes time to understand your goals

Buyback Program

SD Bullion offers live buyback quotes with fast payment processing. They're known for fair offers without haggling.

Unique Features

• Fastest delivery times (2-5 business days average)
• Secure packaging (customers consistently praise)
• No minimum order amount
• Dealer packages available
• Loyalty discount program

Best For

• Investors seeking balance of price and service
• Those needing fast delivery
• Bulk purchasers and dealers
• Value investors with smaller budgets (no minimum order)
• Customers prioritizing secure packaging

Visit SD Bullion: www.sdbullion.com

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Head-to-Head Comparison

| Feature | APMEX | JM Bullion | SD Bullion | |---------|-------|-----------|-----------| | Product Selection | Excellent | Good | Good | | Premiums | Competitive | Best | Better | | Customer Service | 24/7 | Business Hours | Business Hours | | Shipping Cost | Free over $500 | Free over $500 | Free over $500 | | Delivery Speed | 3-7 days | 3-7 days | 2-5 days | | Buyback Program | Yes | Yes | Yes | | IRA Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | | Best For | Selection | Price | Value+Speed |

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Detailed Pricing Comparison Example

Let's say you want to purchase 1 ounce of American Gold Eagle coins. Gold is at $4,598.80 spot.

APMEX

• Spot Price: $4,598.80
• Typical Premium: 6%
• Dealer Price: $4,873.73
• Premium Amount: $274.93

JM Bullion

• Spot Price: $4,598.80
• Typical Premium: 4.5%
• Dealer Price: $4,808.74
• Premium Amount: $209.94

SD Bullion

• Spot Price: $4,598.80
• Typical Premium: 5%
• Dealer Price: $4,828.74
• Premium Amount: $229.94

Savings with JM Bullion: $64.79 per ounce compared to APMEX, or $1,295.80 on a 20-ounce purchase.

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Security and Legitimacy

All three dealers are:

• BBB Accredited (APMEX and JM Bullion are A+, SD Bullion is A)
• Registered with FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement Network)
• Insured (all shipments include transit insurance)
• Verified retailers (buy with confidence)

Red Flags to Avoid at OTHER Dealers

• No customer reviews or only fake reviews
• No BBB listing or rating below B
• Pressure to purchase immediately
• Unclear return policies
• No live phone support
• Prices significantly below market rates

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Customer Experiences and Testimonials

APMEX Customers Say

• "Huge selection, love the rare coins"
• "24/7 support is game-changing"
• "Prices are fair, not the lowest, but fair"
• "Mobile app makes ordering so easy"

JM Bullion Customers Say

• "Best prices I've found, period"
• "The price-match guarantee gives me confidence"
• "Transparent about everything"
• "Support team doesn't pressure sell"

SD Bullion Customers Say

• "Fast shipping, arrived in 3 days"
• "Packaging was absolutely secure"
• "Good balance of price and service"
• "No-minimum orders saved me on small purchases"

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Payment Security

All three dealers use:

• SSL encryption for website security
• PCI compliance for payment processing
• Fraud detection systems
• Secure checkout processes

Wire transfers are the safest payment method, offering maximum buyer protection.

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Special Considerations

IRA-Eligible Gold

All three dealers offer IRA-approved precious metals. Gold IRAs are an excellent way to hold precious metals with tax advantages. Consult a financial advisor about whether an IRA is right for you.

Bulk Purchases

For purchases over $10,000:

• APMEX: Request wholesale quotes directly
• JM Bullion: Loyalty discounts apply
• SD Bullion: Dealer packages available

International Shipping

None of the three dealers ship internationally, but all serve U.S. customers nationwide.

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FAQ: Comparing Precious Metals Dealers

Q: Which dealer should I choose if I'm buying for the first time? A: If selection matters to you, choose APMEX. If price is priority, choose JM Bullion. For balanced value, choose SD Bullion.

Q: Can I buy from multiple dealers? A: Absolutely! Many investors split purchases to compare, then concentrate with their best performer.

Q: Do these dealers charge hidden fees? A: No, all three are transparent. What you see is what you pay. Only shipping may be added.

Q: Is my gold insured during shipping? A: Yes, all three include transit insurance automatically.

Q: Can I set up recurring monthly purchases? A: APMEX has a subscription service. JM Bullion and SD Bullion require separate monthly orders.

Q: What if gold arrives damaged? A: All three guarantee product condition. Contact them immediately with photos for replacement or refund.

Q: Do these dealers sell numismatic (rare) coins? A: APMEX has the strongest rare coin selection. JM Bullion and SD Bullion focus on bullion.

Q: How do I know the weight is accurate? A: All three use certified scales and provide weight guarantees.

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Making Your Decision

Choose APMEX If You Value:

• Unmatched product selection
• 24/7 customer support
• Collectible and rare coins
• Brand recognition and trust

Choose JM Bullion If You Value:

• Lowest premiums and best prices
• Transparent pricing and guarantees
• Flexible payment options
• No-pressure consultations

Choose SD Bullion If You Value:

• Fast shipping (2-5 days)
• Wholesale pricing with great service
• Secure packaging
• No minimum order requirements

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Next Steps

1. Visit all three dealers - See their current prices on gold and silver
2. Compare current premiums - Prices change daily; compare live rates
3. Read recent reviews - Check independent review sites for latest feedback
4. Make your first purchase - Start small to test the dealer's service
5. Evaluate your experience - Then scale up purchases with your preferred dealer

Conclusion

APMEX, JM Bullion, and SD Bullion represent the best the precious metals industry has to offer. Each excels in different areas, so the "best" dealer depends on your priorities.

For most investors, the differences between these three are minimal. What matters most is that you choose a reputable dealer you trust, understand their pricing, and begin building your precious metals portfolio.

Ready to start? Visit your chosen dealer today and take the first step toward precious metals ownership.