Methodology
MetalBrief is built for market context, not trade execution. The dashboard combines third-party market data, local browser calculations, and disclosed partner links. Treat every displayed value as a prompt for verification before you transact.
Price and ratio calculations
Spot cards use the configured market-data provider when available. Ratios such as gold/silver are calculated from the displayed reference prices. If an upstream source is unavailable, stale, or using a fallback, the interface should show source context rather than pretending the data is live.
| Surface | What it means | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Spot price | A reference market quote for the metal. | Dealer checkout price, bid price, timing, payment fee, and tax. |
| Ratio | A derived comparison between two displayed metals. | Whether the same quote basis and timestamp apply to both legs. |
| Portfolio worksheet | Local math from values you enter. | Actual holdings, cost basis, jurisdiction, and professional advice. |
| Dealer or sponsor link | A disclosed outbound reference or affiliate link. | Availability, premium, buyback spread, shipping, insurance, and settlement terms. |
Alerts and portfolio tools
Alerts are workflow aids. A crossed level is not a recommendation to buy, sell, hedge, rebalance, or choose a dealer. Portfolio data is stored locally in your browser unless you choose a feature that uploads or syncs it.
AI and generated context
AI-assisted summaries can be incomplete or wrong. They should preserve citations and uncertainty, but they are not substitutes for primary-source review.
Best practice
Before a transaction, compare at least three costs: live spot reference, delivered ask, and dealer buyback bid. The difference between those numbers often matters more than the spot move itself.