Here is my current overview of Noble Gold Investments — who they are, how they work, what they do well, criticisms, and what to be aware of. As always, this is not investment advice; utilize it for your own research diligence.
What is Noble Gold Investments
Founded: in 2016 by Charles Thorngren and Collin Plume.
Location: Headquartered in Encino, California.
Core business: They are a precious metal dealer, with a focus on helping clients set up Gold/Silver/Precious Metals IRAs (self‑directed IRAs), and selling bullion, coins, and “survival packs” of metals for individuals.
What They Offer — Services & Products
The following are the main offerings and features that Noble Gold offers:
Precious Metals IRAs
They help people roll over or create IRAs where some or all of the retirement funds can be invested in physical precious metals (gold, silver, etc.).
They deal with custodians and IRS‑approved depositories and also offer storage facilities for the physical metals.
Direct Purchases of Bullion and Coins
To non‑IRA customers, they deal in gold, silver, palladium, etc., in bar or coin. You can have them shipped or stored as per your requirement.
Royal Survival Packs
They are pre‑chosen portfolios of precious metals (gold/silver etc.) for investors who desire a ready‑made “emergency” stockpile in the case of economic uncertainty.
Storage Options
They provide safe, insured storage in approved repositories. Some are segregated, meaning your metals are kept apart from others, providing clearer ownership rights. Storage locations are in Texas, Delaware, and a facility in Canada (Mississauga) for some of the storage facilities.
Educational Resources and Customer Service
Their website includes guides, explanations of how IRAs with physical metals function, etc. Customer reviews frequently mention good support, patient explanations, and fair education.
Fee Structure & Minimums
Fees are a significant factor in precious metals investing. Following is what I found out about Noble Gold’s fees, as of mid‑2025, with the qualification that exact rates are subject to change, and there may be variation depending on plan/product.
Typical Fee
Annual maintenance fee for precious metals IRAs: US$80/year
Secure storage fee: US$150/year for segregated storage; sometimes shared storage is cheaper.
Combined annual cost (custodial + storage): About US$230/year for most IRA accounts under current pricing.
Minimum investment / IRA minimum: some cite US$2,000 to open an IRA; for non‑IRA/direct buys, US$5,000 is widely cited.
There also appear to be commissions (or premiums) factored into purchases of the actual metals. Some purchasers report commission rates in the 8‑10% range or up to about 9% in certain cases.
What They Do Well — Strengths
Based on customer reviews, third-party reviews, and what’s publicly available, here are their strengths:
Strong Customer Service / Reputation
On sites like Trustpilot, Noble Gold rates extremely high (e.g. 4.9 out of 5) across many reviews. Customers repeatedly say that representatives were patient, knowledgeable, educational, and not overly pushy.
They have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating.
Transparent and Competitive Ongoing Fees
Their storage & custodial fees for IRAs annually are relatively straightforward in most of their disclosures, and less/more competitive than some of the other options, especially for larger accounts where percentage‑based fees pile up.
Segregated Storage Option
Segregated storage is a plus: it offers higher security of individual ownership, higher transparency, less risk of co‑mingling. Noble Gold does that.
Accessibility for Smaller Investors
Some reviewers state that their minimums are lower compared to other precious‑metals IRA suppliers. Opening at US$2,000 for IRA in some instances, or lower starting points for particular packages.
Diversification of Products
The availability of survival packs is somewhat innovative, targeting those who see precious metals not just in investment/financial terms but also as hedge/emergency assets.
Criticisms & Risks
There is no ideal company; there are ongoing criticisms, provisos, and risks to be aware of if you’re considering using Noble Gold.
High Premiums / Commissions on Metal Purchases
Several customers report that the markup (premium over spot price) and/or commissions is rather high. Some review websites estimate 8‑10% commission, or that commission was not made transparent up front.
This can significantly eat into returns if you’re buying smaller amounts or frequently.
Transparency Issues for Some Products
While fees for custody and storage are often disclosed, pricing for the metals themselves (which is a big part of total cost) is sometimes less transparent. Some customers say they only found out about certain costs after the fact.
Customer Complaints Relating to Communication
A few of the negative reviews mention that once the initial setting‑up/sales are complete, communication is more elusive, responses take longer, or that follow-up on issues or questions is difficult.
Delays / Processing Issues
There are a few reports of delays in rolling over or transferring IRAs, or physically receiving metals. Paperwork or shipping is occasionally slower than anticipated.
Limited Storage Options & Location Limitations
Storage is sound, but some reviewers point out their non-U.S. storage is not widespread; U.S. depositories mostly, with a single facility in Canada. This could be a drawback for non-U.S. investors.
Also, while segregated storage is an option, shared storage is occasionally cheaper but has less control on an individual level.
Newer Company / Shorter Track Record
Since founded only in mid‑2010s, some customers may favor companies with longer track records. That said, that is somewhat compensated for by generally positive reviews to date.
How It Compares to Alternatives
Comparing to typical competitors in gold/precious metals IRA business, here’s how Noble Gold generally compares:
Feature Often Better with Noble Gold Where Others May Outperform
Lower fixed annual fees (custody/storage) for larger IRAs than percentage‑based models ✔ Some competitors have lower up‑front premiums on the bullion itself; may also have better coin/bar choice.
Good customer satisfaction & reviews ✔ Longer pedigree firms may score higher on some metrics (e.g. decades in business).
Segregated storage options ✔ Some offer more overseas storage or more varied options.
Accessibility for small accounts✔
For very large/wholesale investors, or those who want ultra‑rare numismatic coins, competitors may have more niche products.
Who May Noble Gold Be A Good Fit For, and Who May It Be A Less Good Fit For
Good candidates
Investors who want exposure to physical precious metals within an IRA, especially those who are fee‑conscious of ongoing costs.
Those who value good customer service and education, especially if they are new to precious metals IRAs.
People who are considering emergency preparedness / storing some metals as a hedge (e.g. via survival packages), rather than pure speculative coin collecting.
Not such good candidates
Investors who need ultra‑low premiums on coins or bars, and are extremely price‑sensitive in the purchase premium.
Those who need a very wide or specialized selection of numismatic or rare coins; Noble Gold seems more specialized in common gold/silver bullion and standard products.
Non‑U.S. investors or those who wish for storage outside U.S./Canada can have limited availability.
Investors who want maximum transparency before purchase, particularly with regard to all premiums and commission, can find some lack of clarity in product pricing.
Overall Assessment
To sum up the pros and cons, here is an overall evaluation of Noble Gold Investments:
Legitimacy: There is sufficient evidence the company is legitimate. It is well rated by customers; it has proper licensing and BBB‑rating; it utilizes IRS‑approved depositories; it is open in many respects.
Value: To the majority of investors, especially those with medium-sized to larger accounts, Noble Gold offers good value: the storage + custodian fees are competitive, the customer service generally is good, and they make the setup of precious metals IRAs quite accessible.
Caveats: The main costs that can reduce value are the premiums/markups/commissions on the metal purchases, potential delays, and reduced product price transparency at times. If you don’t read all of the fine print, you’ll be less well‑informed than would be ideal.
Overall, Noble Gold isn’t perfect, but it appears to be one of the better options in the precious metals IRA / bullion dealer universe, at least for U.S. investors who want a balance of transparency, service, and relatively modest ongoing cost. It’s probably not the absolute cheapest option available, but it offers a compelling tradeoff.
Key Questions to Ask / Things to Do if You’re Considering Using Noble Gold
If you are considering investing with Noble Gold, the following are some questions & checks to prevent surprises:
Ask upfront about all premiums/commissions: What is the mark-up over spot price, and do they charge a sales commission? Is it included or on top? What are typical ranges?
Get written explanation of all fees: Custodial fees, storage, insurance, shipping, possible hidden fees. Check if storage is segregated (more expensive but safer) or shared.
Confirm timeline & processing: How long will transfers or rollovers take? What about delivery or storage setup? Are there waiting periods?
Review storage options: Where is storage physically located? What depository(s)? What security and insurance arrangements?
Investigate buyback policies: If you have to sell, what is their buy‑back program? At what price/discount? How easy is the process?
Compare with alternatives: Get quotes from a number of similar companies; compare coin/bar premiums; compare overall cost (fees + premiums + shipping).
Read customer reviews, especially negative reviews: Search for patterns (communications issues, hidden fees, delivery delays) to identify what risk areas tend to surface.