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From gold ETFs and mining stocks to even fractional physical gold ownership, brokerages like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Robinhood now offer a range of options for investors looking to hedge, diversify, or speculate using gold.
Let’s walk through exactly how you can buy gold via a brokerage account, what your options are, and how they compare.
Gold Investment Options Through a Brokerage Account?
Gold isn't just a shiny metal—it's a strategic asset. Within a brokerage account, you have access to three main gold investment types:
Gold ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds)
Gold mining stocks
Physical gold exposure via digital platforms
Let’s break them down—what they are, how they work, how to buy them, and what to watch for.
1. Gold ETFs (The Easiest Entry Point)
A gold ETF tracks the price of gold. When you buy shares of a gold ETF like SPDR Gold Shares (GLD) or iShares Gold Trust (IAU), you're essentially buying exposure to the price of gold without actually owning the metal.
These ETFs are backed by physical gold stored in secure vaults, and their prices move in line with spot gold prices.
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How To Buy & Pros & Cons
To buy gold ETFs, log in to your brokerage account (e.g., Schwab, Fidelity, E*TRADE), search for the ETF symbol (e.g., GLD), and place a trade like you would for any stock.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Easy to buy/sell on any brokerage | No ownership of actual gold
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Tracks gold price closely | Expense ratio slightly erodes returns
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Liquid and transparent | Cannot be used in barter or stored physically
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2. Gold Mining Stocks (Indirect Gold Exposure)
When you invest in gold mining companies like Barrick Gold (GOLD) or Newmont Corp (NEM), you're buying equity in firms that extract gold.
Their profitability is influenced not just by gold prices but also by production costs, management, and exploration success.
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How To Buy & Pros & Cons
Use your brokerage account to search the stock symbol and purchase shares just like you would with any company.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Potential for outsized gains | Stocks can drop even if gold rises |
May offer dividends | Exposed to company-specific risks
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Broad choice (majors, juniors, ETFs) | Can be volatile and unpredictable |
3. Gold Mutual Funds and Index Funds
Gold mutual funds and index funds offer another path to gold investing—often with broader diversification than ETFs or individual mining stocks.
These funds may invest in:
Physical gold
Gold futures contracts
A mix of gold mining companies (both large-cap and junior miners)
Related industries (e.g., energy, materials)
Unlike ETFs, mutual funds are typically actively managed, meaning a fund manager decides how to allocate capital. Index funds, on the other hand, passively track a specific gold-related index, such as the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index.
Considering various broker options? Our comparison of investing brokers can help you find the right platform.
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How To Buy & What To Consider
You can invest in gold mutual funds through most major brokerages like Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab.
Search for the fund symbol (e.g., FSAGX – Fidelity Select Gold Portfolio) and initiate your investment.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Professional management | May charge higher fees than ETFs |
Diversified exposure | Not tradable during the day |
May include silver, mining, and related industries | Fund minimums may apply |
4. Digital Ownership of Physical Gold (Fractional Gold Investing)
Few brokerages and fintech platforms now let you buy fractional ownership of real gold bars.
While it is unavailable on well-known brokerages, platforms like OneGold, Vaulted, or Public.com allow you to buy small amounts of physical gold stored in professional vaults.
Some apps integrate with brokerages or offer seamless funding from bank or brokerage accounts – but these are not a direct buy through your broker.
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How To Buy & What To Consider
You create an account on one of these platforms, fund it, and buy gold in small units (as low as $1). Your gold is allocated and stored in insured vaults.
Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Real physical gold backing | Requires separate platform/account
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Low minimum investment | May charge storage or delivery fees
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Secure, insured storage | Not always instantly tradable like ETFs
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How To Choose the Right Option for You?
The best gold investment option via your brokerage depends on your goals:
Want something quick, simple, and liquid? → Go with Gold ETFs
Looking for growth and can stomach risk? → Consider Gold mining stocks
Want real gold without storage headaches? → Try digital physical gold platforms
Before making a move, review your brokerage’s available assets, fees, and tools. Some platforms now even let you build gold into your retirement strategy or recurring investments, making gold easier than ever to include in your long-term plan.
Gold IRAs: Investing in Physical Gold via a Brokerage
If you're looking to hold physical gold as part of your retirement plan, a Self-Directed IRA (SDIRA) is your gateway.
Unlike traditional IRAs, which typically limit you to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, an SDIRA allows you to invest in alternative assets, including IRS-approved physical gold.
You won’t open this type of account directly through a traditional brokerage like Schwab or Fidelity.
Instead, you’ll need to work with a specialized SDIRA custodian, such as iTrustCapital, Equity Trust, or GoldStar Trust. These custodians handle IRS reporting, compliance, and the logistics of gold storage.
How to set it up:
Open a Self-Directed IRA with a specialized custodian (e.g., Equity Trust, iTrustCapital).
Fund the account via rollover or contribution.
Choose a dealer (approved by your custodian) to buy IRS-approved gold (e.g., American Gold Eagles). See our top gold IRA companies.
The gold is shipped to an IRS-approved depository (you can't store it yourself).
There are some important nuances: fees can add up, including setup charges, annual maintenance fees, and storage costs.
It’s also critical to follow IRS rules around gold purity and form—only specific bullion coins and bars are permitted.
FAQ
Yes, most gold ETFs like GLD and IAU are highly liquid and can be traded intraday just like regular stocks. However, short-term trading may trigger tax consequences.
No, you can buy gold mining stocks with a standard cash account. But margin accounts may be used if you plan to trade on leverage, which adds risk.
Yes, most popular gold ETFs like GLD are backed by physical bullion stored in secure vaults. However, always read the fund's prospectus for specific policies.
Gold ETFs are considered collectibles by the IRS. Even though traded like stocks, they may be taxed at the higher collectibles capital gains rate (up to 28%).
Mining ETFs offer diversification by investing in multiple companies, reducing company-specific risk. You can learn more in our guide to gold ETFs.
Yes, many brokers offer commission-free trades on ETFs. Also, platforms like Public.com let users buy gold without additional trading fees.
Not typically. Brokerages don’t offer coins directly. If you’re looking for physical options, see our guide to bullion coins for investment.
