American Alternative Assets Review: Trusted Gold IRA Provider?

American Alternative Assets is a precious metals company focused on helping Americans diversify their wealth through physical gold, silver, and other hard assets. The company works with both retirement savers looking to establish a Precious Metals IRA and individuals who want to purchase bullion for direct ownership and home delivery.

At a time when inflation, federal debt, and long-term confidence in the U.S. dollar remain top concerns, American Alternative Assets positions itself as an education-first alternative to large, high-volume Gold IRA companies. Rather than relying on call-center sales models, the firm emphasizes transparency, widely recognized bullion products, and direct, one-on-one guidance.

This review takes a close look at how American Alternative Assets operates, the products and services it offers, how pricing and storage work, and how the company compares to other precious metals dealers in the Gold IRA space.

Reputation Snapshot

American Alternative Assets – Independent Ratings Overview

• Better Business Bureau (BBB): A Rating - 4.73 / 5 stars (30 customer reviews)
• Business Consumer Alliance (BCA): AA Rating
• Trustpilot: 4.7 / 5 stars (33 reviews)
• TrustIndex: 4.4 / 5 stars (103 reviews)
• Google Reviews 4.2 / 5 stars (53 reviews)

Taken together, these third-party ratings suggest strong customer satisfaction, particularly around service quality and guidance. As with any precious metals purchase, buyers should still confirm pricing, fees, storage terms, and buyback details directly before committing.

Company Background & Leadership

American Alternative Assets was founded to offer a more transparent, relationship-driven alternative to the large, high-volume Gold IRA companies that dominate the industry. 

Instead of operating as a mass-market sales organization, the firm focuses on individualized guidance, education, and long-term support for buyers who want to understand why they own precious metals, not just what they’re buying.

The company is led by Shanon Davis, who has more than a decade of experience in the precious metals industry. Davis is known for taking a macroeconomic view of gold and silver, often framing precious metals as protection against inflation, excessive government debt, and long-term currency risk rather than short-term speculation.

In addition to his role as CEO, Davis has appeared in media outlets discussing economic trends and hard assets, including Just the News, Connecting America, Fox News, and CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou’s Deep Focus podcast. These appearances reinforce the firm’s focus on education and economic context rather than product-driven sales narratives. 

What's Unique About American Alternative Assets?

One of the clearest distinctions between American Alternative Assets and many large Gold IRA firms is its operating philosophy. While major national dealers often rely on call centers, scripted sales processes, and high-pressure tactics, American Alternative Assets emphasizes direct relationships and ongoing support.

The firm places a strong focus on transparency, liquidity, and buyer education. Customers are encouraged to understand storage options, custodian structures, and long-term exit considerations before making a commitment. This consultative approach is a core part of what sets American Alternative Assets apart.

What Does American Alternative Assets Offer?

American Alternative Assets offers two primary ways for buyers to gain exposure to physical precious metals: self-directed Precious Metals IRAs and direct purchases for personal ownership. Both options are designed to give Americans access to tangible assets without unnecessary complexity or pressure-driven sales tactics.

Precious Metals IRAs

American Alternative Assets helps retirement savers establish self-directed Precious Metals IRAs backed by physical bullion. These accounts allow individuals to hold gold, silver, platinum, and palladium inside a tax-advantaged retirement structure rather than relying solely on paper assets like stocks and bonds.

The company supports common IRA types, including Traditional, Roth, and SEP IRAs, and works with buyers rolling over funds from existing retirement accounts such as 401(k)s or IRAs held elsewhere. The minimum purchase for a Precious Metals IRA through American Alternative Assets is $50,000, placing the firm among providers focused on long-term retirement allocations rather than small starter accounts.

Throughout the setup process, buyers receive individualized assistance to coordinate rollovers, select a custodian, and choose appropriate storage arrangements. The emphasis is on suitability and understanding before funds are moved.

Related: Ray Dalio - Why 15% of Your Portfolio Should Be in Gold and Bitcoin

Direct Precious Metals Purchases (Home Delivery)

In addition to retirement accounts, American Alternative Assets works with buyers who want to purchase precious metals directly using cash or non-retirement funds. This option appeals to individuals seeking physical ownership outside the IRA system for diversification, long-term holding, or personal peace of mind.

The minimum purchase for home delivery is $10,000. Buyers may choose home delivery or secure third-party storage, depending on preference. As with IRAs, guidance is provided throughout the process while allowing buyers to remain in control of product and storage decisions.

This dual structure allows exposure to precious metals across multiple strategies.

Visit American Alternative Assets' Website to Learn More.

Precious Metals Products Offered

American Alternative Assets offers physical bullion products across four primary metals: gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. These metals are available for inclusion in a self-directed IRA or for direct ownership, depending on the buyer’s goals.

Rather than emphasizing niche or speculative products, the firm focuses on bullion that is widely recognized and actively traded, supporting liquidity and easier valuation.

Common Gold Products

• Gold American Eagle coins
• Gold American Buffalo coins
• Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
• Gold bars from accredited refiners

Common Silver Products

• Silver American Eagle coins
• Canadian Silver Maple Leafs
• Silver bars from recognized manufacturers

Platinum & Palladium

For buyers seeking broader diversification, American Alternative Assets also offers platinum and palladium bullion products that meet IRS eligibility requirements when held inside an IRA.

Why We Like Bullion Products

While availability varies with market conditions, consumers are generally best served by sticking with widely recognized, liquid bullion products rather than obscure or heavily promoted collectibles. Well-known coins and bars tend to be easier to price, store, insure, and resell, particularly for long-term holders and retirement savers.

Fees, Costs & Pricing Transparency

American Alternative Assets keeps pricing and IRA fees straightforward by clearly separating its role from third-party custodians and storage providers. There are no setup fees charged by the company, and buyers are shown where each cost originates.

Setup Fees

American Alternative Assets does not charge setup fees for IRAs or direct purchases.

Metal Pricing

Pricing for gold, silver, platinum, and palladium is based on spot price plus a product-specific premium. Premiums vary by product, availability, and market conditions. Buyers are encouraged to understand the difference between spot price and final cost and to compare quotes from multiple dealers.

Custodian Fees

Custodian fees are set by the custodian and vary by account structure and provider. Many buyers work with Equity Trust, a widely used self-directed IRA custodian. At the time of writing, Equity Trust charges a flat annual fee of approximately $125, though fees may change.

American Alternative Assets helps buyers understand these third-party fees during setup so there are no surprises.

Storage Fees

Storage fees are paid directly to the selected depository and depend on storage type and provider. As an example, Delaware Depository offers non-segregated storage with insurance for approximately $190 per year. Fees vary by depository and storage structure.

Custodian & Storage Flexibility

Buyers may work with any IRS-approved custodian or depository. Equity Trust and Delaware Depository are commonly used but not required.

Claim Your Free Wealth Protection Guide from American Alternative Assets

Buyback Program & Liquidity

American Alternative Assets offers what it describes as an industry-leading buyback assurance, providing buyers with a clear path to liquidity when they choose to sell.

Buyback pricing is based on market conditions and the specific products being sold. While profits are never guaranteed, the firm’s focus on recognized bullion helps support smoother resale compared to illiquid or proprietary products.

Account Setup & Customer Experience

American Alternative Assets emphasizes a relationship-driven experience rather than a transactional sales process. Buyers work with a dedicated representative from initial consultation through account funding and beyond.

The process typically includes:

• An initial discussion of goals and eligibility
• Assistance with rollovers or transfers
• Custodian and storage selection
• Review of bullion options and pricing before funds are committed

For direct purchases, the process is more streamlined but still consultative.

Education Over Pressure

Rather than pushing urgency-based offers, the firm focuses on helping buyers understand:

• How Precious Metals IRAs work
• The difference between spot price and premiums
• Storage choices and costs
• Liquidity and buyback considerations

Ongoing Support

Support continues after the initial purchase, including assistance with account questions, future purchases, storage changes, or partial liquidations. 

Education, Media Presence & Thought Leadership

Education is central to how American Alternative Assets positions itself. CEO Shanon Davis regularly discusses inflation, debt, monetary policy, and long-term purchasing power in independent media, reinforcing the firm’s macro-focused perspective on precious metals ownership.

These appearances help distinguish American Alternative Assets from firms that rely primarily on promotional messaging.

Promotions & Incentives

American Alternative Assets currently offers a promotion of up to $10,000 in free silver with a qualifying purchase. Incentives vary by purchase size and market conditions and should be evaluated alongside pricing, storage, and long-term suitability.

Visit American Alternative Assets' Website to Learn More.

Pros & Cons of American Alternative Assets

Pros

• Up to $10,000 in free silver
• Free home safe for qualified purchases
• Industry-leading buyback assurance
• No setup fees
• Flexible custodian and storage options
• Fully insured storage solutions
• Focus on widely recognized bullion
• One-on-one, education-first support

Cons

• $50,000 minimum for Precious Metals IRAs
• Third-party custodian and storage fees vary
• Smaller firm may not appeal to big brand-driven buyers

How American Alternative Assets Compares to Other Gold IRA Companies

Compared to large Gold IRA firms, American Alternative Assets emphasizes personalization, transparency, and buyer education over volume and proprietary offerings. It may appeal more to buyers who value control and long-term planning rather than brand recognition or low minimums.

Is American Alternative Assets Right for You?

American Alternative Assets may be a strong fit for Americans making meaningful precious metals allocations who value education, transparency, and personalized service. Buyers seeking small starter accounts or quick transactional purchases may want to compare alternatives.

Final Verdict

American Alternative Assets offers a thoughtful, education-focused alternative to large Gold IRA companies. Strengths include positive online reviews, transparent pricing, flexible custodians and storage, recognized bullion products, and a strong buyback program.

For Americans concerned about inflation, debt, and long-term purchasing power, the firm provides a deliberate approach to owning physical precious metals. As always, buyers should compare providers, review fees carefully, and choose the option that aligns with their goals.