Alaska Mint — Local services in Alaska

My Brother and I were recently in Anchorage for my Aunts Funeral. While we were visiting, the hotel TV had an Ad featuring the Alaska Mint and the medallions they make. It looked pretty cool, so we decided to visit, the place was clean, neatly organized, and they had a excellent selection of the medallions they make, and gold jewelry. We met one of the employees that makes the medallions, and the pride and process he takes to make them. After that, we were greeted by Chris, we asked him several questions about both the medallions and gold they have sourced. Chris was very polite, not pushy, answered our questions, and even showed us, and let us hold the largest gold nugget we have ever seen. We were running short on time, and said we had to leave, but would be the next day to look look longer. We purchased a few medallions before we left. I am sure he heard that line before, but it was true, and he was genuinely nice from beginning to end. My Brother and I came back the next day, we were again cheerfully greeted by Chris and he remembered us from the previous day. We looked at several gold quartz rings, and many other gold rings, including the estate rings they had on display. Chris was very patient with us, as he answered all our questions and let us take our time. We chatted and learned all about how he started working here, his passion for riding bicycles and motorcycles. I never felt any pressure to buy anything, in the end both my brother and I purchased 2 Gold Quartz Rings. I contacted Chris afterwards for some paperwork to keep for my records. He was quick to answer and generate what I needed. We would definitely recommend and purchase from the Alaska Mint again. It was nice doing business with you as we were treated more like friends than customers. Thank you Chris for taking care of us, listening, not rushing us, and being a true...

If you're looking for something that's got character, something that tells a story, something that reflects Alaska, something natural but also beautifully crafted art, then you have to go by the Alaska Mint. There is so much more than just jewelry. They have tons of precious metals, estate jewelry, medallions, custom coins, knives, Alaskan art, fossils, native works. They have real mammoth tusks! Its an experience just visiting the place.

But, what made me decide to write a review is my experience with the owners when I started to talk to them about how I was looking for an engagement ring. They did so much above and beyond to help and guide, and to make sure that I was comfortable in that they really understood what I was after for my future fiancé. And what did they deliver? So much more than I had even hoped for!

A platinum engagement band with cutouts and rises for the diamonds all meticulously set. A center diamond, a real show stopper, flanked by elegant baguettes, and then the rest, a constellation of brilliance smaller diamonds across the band. It's a statement piece, no doubt. But it's also just stunning. It's her favorite piece of jewelry ever, hands down. She says it feels like it reflects her. And seeing her wear it, we've never seen another ring like it.

What I appreciated most about the Alaska Mint and the people there was they helped me create something meaningful. And the whole place really kind of reflects that. I highly recommend if you're in Anchorage that you stop by. Like I said, it's an experience. And the people are the best.

Thank you Michele, thank you Mike, and thank you everyone. Couldn't have done it...

If you want to visit this place thinking of making investments, don't. This isn't that kind of place. When I saw a 5 oz poor quality pour silver bar for $250, my heart sank. Keep in mind, silver is $34.20 per Oz at the time of writing this. I just knew they were taking advantage of tourism. Fine. So be it. Just don't recommend this place if you want to buy close to spot price. There are other places that do spot + 6% or around that mark. They do have some pretty darn cool stuff, but the customer service was almost non-existent once the sales rep started realizing I wasn't going to fall for an $80 markup on a 2 Oz bar of silver for $150. Just disrespectful at that point.

EDIT: Due to the very professional response, I'm changing my rating from 1 to 4. Would be a 5 if they had something along the lines of catering to the investment side of precious metals, but I do understand that this isn't the intended nature of this business. I would have been a permanent customer if this was it because I do love some of the other inventory here as well. Just still in disbelief that the amount of the premium was more than the cost of the metal itself. I will take you up on the offer though for a connection to a dealer who deals...