Question 1

How We Source and Authenticate Products

Accepted Answer

Authenticity is the foundation of trust in gold, so we built multiple layers of protection into how we source and verify every product. Every item comes directly from verified suppliers and established wholesalers, never secondhand from the general public. We only source uncirculated, brand new products. Our bullion comes straight from the supply chain in pristine, factory-fresh condition, not resold from unknown hands. We test every product ourselves using top-tier electromagnetic verification technology that reads a metal's resistivity and density, confirming the metal's purity through its full thickness, not just on the surface where simpler tests fall short. You receive proof of authentication for your specific item before it ships. The result: by the time your gold arrives, it has passed through verified sourcing, condition standards, and our own independent testing.

Question 2

How Payments Work

Accepted Answer

We accept most major credit and debit cards as well as ACH bank transfers, all processed securely through Stripe. Cards are subject to a 3% fee and clear immediately. ACH transfers are free but take 2–4 business days to clear.

Your payment details are never stored with Gilden. Every payment passes through fraud screening, so if something looks off we may reach out for clarification.

Question 3

Our Shipping Timelines

Accepted Answer

Orders typically ship within 2 business days of payment clearing via USPS, FedEx, UPS, or similar carrier. Delivery time is usually 3–4 days, and you'll get tracking as soon as your order is shipped. Signature is required on delivery.

Question 4

How Shipping Insurance Works

Accepted Answer

Every shipment is fully insured up to the purchase price or replacement cost. If something goes wrong in transit, email orders@gilden.io and we'll file the claim on your behalf. For insurance to apply, a signature on delivery is required, as is a correct shipping address. Coverage applies from the moment the package is accepted by the carrier until a signature is obtained at delivery.

Question 5

Our Return Policy

Accepted Answer

If you'd like to return an item, email orders@gilden.io within 4 calendar days of delivery and we'll send you a return label. Items need to come back in original condition — broken assay seals aren't eligible. From your refund, we deduct a $100 restocking fee, the cost of return insured shipping, and the 3% card processing fee if you paid by card (that fee goes to the payment processor, so we're unable to return it). Once we receive the item, allow up to 5 business days for inspection before the refund is issued.

Question 6

What Is the Spot Price?

Accepted Answer

Spot price is the live global market rate for one troy ounce of pure gold. It's set by institutions, banks, and governments trading in tons, and it doesn't reflect the price of gold for everyday consumers. Think of it like the price per barrel of crude oil: that price sets the underlying value of fuel, but it's not what you pay at the pump, and most of us never check it when filling up. Physical gold is priced at spot plus a premium that covers refining, minting, and secure transport. Gilden sources inventory from reputable suppliers at the lowest premiums and passes savings on to you.

Question 7

Bars vs. Coins vs. Rounds

Accepted Answer

Gold bars are struck by major private mints and carry the lowest premiums of the three while still maintaining universal recognition, making them the most efficient way to own gold by weight. Coins are government-minted, which gives them a standardized quality that makes them even easier to resell anywhere in the world; premiums run slightly higher than bars, but the added liquidity is worth it for many buyers. Rounds are a bit different. They hold their weight in gold like bars and coins do, but they're more of a novelty, without the universal recognition of coins or the pricing efficiency of bars. For most investors, bars and coins are the practical choice. Rounds are worth exploring if you're drawn to the collecting side of things. Gilden is a retailer, not a financial advisor — this is educational only.

Question 8

Physical Gold vs Gold ETF

Accepted Answer

Gold ETFs give you exposure to gold's price, but what you own are shares in a fund, not the gold itself. That means annual fees quietly compounding, counterparty risk, and no way to access your gold outside the financial system if you ever needed to. Physical gold is yours outright: no institution holds it, no ongoing management fees, and its value is grounded in the weight of the metal itself. Some would say it's also more enjoyable to own. That said, ETFs have their place — they're simple to hold in a brokerage account and easy to trade. Plenty of investors find holding both to be a reasonable approach. Gilden is a retailer, not a financial advisor — this is educational only.

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Everything you want to know before you buy.