Last Updated: April 29, 2026

money for precious metals in storage under a mattress

Whatever form that they take — jewelry, coins, or bullion — your precious metals are, quite literally, treasures. You want to keep your investment safe, secure, and in top condition.

There are many security solutions out there. The storage option you choose depends upon the size and value of your precious metals collection. You must also consider how quickly and easily you may need to access your precious metals. Many experts suggest diversifying your storage methods and locations for optimum security in the case of unexpected events.

Here are a few storage options for your precious metals:

Secret hiding places

An old-fashioned method, but many still rely on carefully hidden stashes of precious metals around the home. It may be the least secure option, but it gives you quick access to your assets in an emergency. If you choose your hiding places carefully, your precious metals may be less of a target to thieves than a more obvious safe. A wide range of diversion safes exists on the market today, made to resemble common household objects such as power sockets. When appropriately placed, a robber might likely overlook them in a robbery. Other methods include hiding valuables under floorboards or even burying them. The ultimate security of these methods is debatable, and they are probably best limited to small amounts of precious metals intended for emergency access.

Safes

The traditional guardian and storage space for precious metals throughout the years, safes remain a solid option. You can purchase a wall safe or free-standing safe for a few hundred dollars or pay thousands for premium models. All safes are not created equal, so please do your research. Make sure that the safe is waterproof and that it can survive a house fire. Remember that a small, portable safe may actually put your precious metals at risk in a burglary, allowing thieves to just walk away with the whole thing to crack at their leisure. The most secure safes are built-in or bolted to a wall or floor.

Safety deposit boxes and third-party storage

Entrusting your precious metals to a bank or a certified bullion vaulting service is an extremely secure way to store your precious metals. You gain a huge amount of added security and convenience: you can drop your valuables off and go. There are certain considerations to keep in mind, however. Your access limits to the facilities’ open hours, which means if you need your precious metals in a hurry, you could end up frustrated. In rare cases, the contents of a safety deposit box can be seized by the IRS or creditors. If you are looking at a private vaulting service, be aware they generally deal with larger volumes of precious metals. The vaulting service will charge you a certain percentage of your deposit annually — which could cut into the appreciation of your investment.

Preserving and protecting your silver, gold, or platinum requires forethought and planning, but it’s worth taking the time to consider your options carefully. No matter how you decide to store your precious metals, you’ll sleep more soundly knowing you’ve put in the effort to protect your investment for the future.

Written by

Allie Bowman

Allie Bowman is the Content Lead at Garfield Refining, where she translates more than 130 years of precious metals expertise into clear, accurate, and practical content for individual sellers, dental professionals, jewelers, and collectors. A Dean's List graduate of the University of Delaware's Media Communication program, Allie has built her career around making complex subjects accessible to a broad audience. Her experience spans nutrition science, lifestyle magazine publishing, and precious metals refining, giving her a unique ability to transform technical information into engaging, trustworthy content. At Garfield, Allie brings editorial rigor and subject-matter expertise to every piece she produces. She works closely with Garfield's refining specialists and senior leadership to ensure that technical topics - from karat markings and assay methods to precious metals markets and spot price mechanics - are explained with both accuracy and clarity. Since joining Garfield's marketing team, Allie has written extensively on precious metals refining, dental scrap recovery, gold and silver bullion, estate and inherited jewelry, and industry-specific topics for dental and jewelry professionals. All content is reviewed by Garfield's leadership team prior to publication, ensuring it reflects the company's standards for accuracy, transparency, and industry expertise.

Reviewed by

Morgan Kerrissey

Morgan Kerrissey is the President of Garfield Refining, one of North America's most longstanding and trusted precious metals refineries. For over two decades, Morgan has built his career at the intersection of commodities markets, metallurgy, and precious metals — earning a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable voices in the refining industry. Morgan joined Garfield in 2008, bringing rigorous operational discipline to a company built on exacting standards since 1892. Named President in 2014, he has guided Garfield through volatile gold, silver, and palladium markets, while modernizing its workforce and technologies and diversifying its metal supply chains. Under his leadership, Garfield has expanded its refining capabilities across the full lifecycle of precious metals recovery, entered new markets, and expanded services while maintaining the same customer forward approach that has made Garfield a mainstay for more than a century. From hedging strategy to daily refinery operations, Morgan commands high levels of technical depth and market fluency. Morgan grew up outside Boston, graduated from Harvard University, and has lived with his family in Philadelphia, PA for almost 20 years.