Plain-language market explainers
Metals, commodities and market investing, explained
PGM Blog is a plainspoken explainer for self-directed investors: what actually moves bullion, ore and the rates behind them, written to be read once and understood.
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The most recent pieces on this site, newest first.
How Pawn Shops Price Gold: Spot Rates and Fees 2026
How pawn shops price gold in : spot price, karat, tested weight, condition and fees, plus a worked melt-value example and how…
Safe Deposit Box vs Home Safe for Bullion: Which Wins in 2026
Safe deposit box vs home safe for bullion in - theft risk, insurance, privacy, access, disaster exposure and cost compared, plus what…
How to Spot Fake Gold Bars in 2026: 8 Proven Checks That Work
Learn how to spot fake gold bars using weight, dimensions, a magnet, hallmark and serial checks, then professional XRF, ultrasonic and assay…
How to Weigh and Test Bullion at Home: Practical Guide (2026)
Learn how to weigh and test bullion at home using scales, calipers, magnets, and safe non-destructive checks before buying or storing precious…
How Vaulted Gold Storage Fees Work: A Simple Breakdown (2026)
Learn how vaulted gold storage fees work in , what moves the bill, and how allocation type, insurance, minimums and billing periods…
Why Gold Coin Premiums Rise and Fall: A Buyer’s Guide 2026
Learn why gold coin premiums rise and fall in , how supply, demand, coin size and scarcity set them, and how to…
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Reading the metals market
Where metals writing usually loses the reader
No price targets
Nobody knows where spot lands next quarter, so you will not find a forecast here dressed up as analysis.
The spread is part of the price
Premiums, storage and the gap between buying and selling decide what an ounce really costs you, so they belong in the explanation and not in a footnote.
Rates before narratives
Metals and commodities move with real yields, currencies and central bank policy, so the mechanism comes first and the story second.
About
Who this is written for
PGM Blog is written for self-directed investors who would rather understand a market than be hurried through it, in plain language and without the urgency.
It starts with precious metals and commodities, and widens into the rates, currencies and mining equities that move them. More about PGM Blog
Spotted something that reads wrong? Get in touch — corrections are welcome.