Orion Metal Exchange Review

Thinking about protecting your savings by investing in precious metals? While gold, silver and other metals have long been a reliable hedge, choosing the right provider can be daunting. With so many firms in the market, only a select few consistently meet investor expectations.

After more than two decades in the precious metals sector, I aim to steer you through the leading companies with balanced, detailed reviews.

In this review, we’ll unpack what Orion Metal Exchange brings to the table — its product range, IRA services, storage, buyback program, customer ratings and more — so you can decide if Orion is the right fit for your portfolio.

Orion Metal Exchange: A Brief Overview

Orion Metal Exchange is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and was founded by Jacob Blalock. Drawing on 40 years of experience in precious metals, Jacob has shaped the business around transparency, education and hands-on support for investors.

Orion offers a wide suite of services, including real-time price tools, a convenient buyback program, an extensive catalogue of bullion and coins, and a dedicated in-house IRA team. A quick phone call connects you with knowledgeable staff who can help safeguard your wealth with precious metals.

What stood out in my interactions was their willingness to offer thoughtful guidance even if you haven’t yet become a client.

This service-first approach is reflected in the company’s strong ratings across the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Consumer Affairs, Google Reviews and other platforms.

The Best Gold IRA Companies in 2025

Before diving into this Orion review, note that I’ve assessed dozens of precious metal IRA providers over the years and compiled my top five gold IRA companies for 2025. I recommend reading that guide before proceeding with any IRA transfer.

The #1 pick is Augusta Precious Metals, celebrated for its A+ BBB rating, hundreds of 5-star reviews and lifetime account support. See my full Augusta Precious Metals review, or visit the official Augusta website to learn more.

What Makes Orion Metal Exchange Stand Out?

So, what sets Orion Metal Exchange apart from other providers? From my research and industry experience, Orion offers investor-friendly features, a deep product line-up and a strong focus on client education — particularly around Gold IRAs.

Their primary strength lies in precious metals IRAs, though their services extend well beyond that. Below is a closer look at the key offerings.

Precious Metals

Orion carries a broad mix of gold, silver, platinum and palladium products, with numerous coins and bars listed in each category. A sample of available options includes:

• Gold American Eagle
• Gold Canadian Maple Leaf
• Proof Gold American Eagle
• IRA Approved Gold Bars
• Silver American Eagle
• Proof Silver American Eagle
• IRA Approved Silver Bars
• Platinum American Eagle
• Platinum Canadian Maple Leaf
• IRA Approved Platinum Bars
• Palladium American Eagle
• Palladium Maple Leaf
• IRA Approved Palladium Bars

Stock levels can shift with market conditions, so if you’re targeting a particular product, you may need to wait for availability. Otherwise, consider selecting from the latest listings shown on their site.

Precious Metals IRA

Orion’s most acclaimed service is its precious metals IRA offering. Their in-house, full-service IRA team focuses on helping investors set up, fund and manage self-directed IRAs backed by physical metals.

Specialists guide you through account establishment over the phone, explain how self-directed IRAs work, and support you through the rollover process.

Orion works with a wide network of IRA custodians and insured depositories across the United States, helping you find a custodian–depository combination that matches your needs. You’re supported every step of the way.

This level of hands-on assistance impressed me. Unlike some providers I’ve used, Orion’s team proactively matched me with a custodian and storage solution suited to my requirements and budget.

Storage Options

Beyond IRAs, Orion also assists with third-party storage. They help you understand your IRA setup, choose suitable custodians and make informed purchases — and they can additionally support the establishment of an insured, third-party commercial depository arrangement.

Specifically, the team can help you locate and open an insured U.S.-based commercial depository. Storage for IRA assets is insured by Lloyd’s of London according to asset value, which further boosted my confidence in the safety of metals held under Orion’s guidance.

Insured Home Delivery

For direct purchases, Orion provides a streamlined buying experience. You can confirm price and product over the phone and complete your transaction on a recorded trade line in under a minute for gold, silver, platinum or palladium.

After purchase, shipments are insured and include tracking so you can monitor delivery to your nominated address. Most orders arrive within 5–7 business days after payment clears; cheque payments typically take 10–12 days from the date funds are received.

Buyback Program

When it’s time to sell, Orion supports a smooth exit with its buyback program. You can choose between:

• Taking physical possession of your metals when withdrawing from your Orion-held IRA.
• Liquidating your holdings and receiving cash, typically within 3–5 business days.

This is particularly useful for those holding both IRA metals and physical assets, aiming to achieve competitive pricing without the hassle of finding a buyer.

Charts

Orion’s commitment to investor education also shows in its live charts. Their website provides metal-specific charts for gold, silver, platinum and palladium to help you track trends and performance.

Prices are shown over a 10-year horizon, allowing you to compare historical movements and make more informed decisions.

News

There’s also a news section that aggregates market updates, commentary and insights. In my experience, staying across current developments is key to timing and strategy in precious metals.

Reviewing the latest articles helps you gauge momentum, sentiment and common pitfalls before committing capital.

How to Invest with Orion Metal Exchange

Orion’s process for setting up a precious metals IRA is straightforward and highly supported. Their specialists guide you from initial questions to funding and storage.

Having worked with many providers over the years, I’ve seen few processes this simple. Here’s how it generally works:

Step #1: Get Insights

Call Orion’s IRA team to discuss your goals. A representative will outline how self-directed IRAs operate and the benefits of holding physical metals.

Step #2: Fund Rollover

Orion coordinates with your current retirement custodian to roll over existing funds or establish a new self-directed IRA funded for tangible metals. Consider consulting a CPA or tax adviser to confirm the best approach for your circumstances.

Step #3: Connect with an IRA Custodian

Orion’s in-house team helps you select an appropriate IRA custodian and insured depository. With these in place, you can purchase approved metals and hold them within your IRA.

Support doesn’t end there: they can assist with opening a rare metals account, funding it, and exploring further options to make the most of your retirement strategy.

Orion Metal Exchange Fees

Transparent pricing is essential for a smooth investment experience. I always look for clear, upfront fee schedules.

In Orion’s case, I couldn’t find a published fee table on their website, which was a disappointment.

The IRA department focuses on finding low-cost options tailored to your budget via suitable custodians and storage partners. However, without specific figures available online, you’ll need to contact them to confirm total costs before proceeding.

Orion Metal Exchange Rating on Consumer Review Sites

The Verdict

Orion Metal Exchange is a credible and service-oriented precious metals IRA provider. From up-to-date pricing information and a broad product selection to a supportive buyback program and secure storage options, they cover the essentials well.

The main drawback is the lack of published fees online. I recommend contacting Orion to verify all charges before moving ahead. If they’re not the right match, you can explore more choices in my guide to the best precious metals companies.