Considering converting some silver to a Gold IRA - thoughts?

• •Alright, so I’ve been stacking silver for a while now, probably close to 10 years, and I’ve built up a decent pile.
• •I’m thinking about converting a portion of it into a Gold IRA.
• •My regular IRA is doing okay, but it’s all in paper, you know?

Alright, so I’ve been stacking silver for a while now, probably close to 10 years, and I’ve built up a decent pile. I’m thinking about converting a portion of it into a Gold IRA. My regular IRA is doing okay, but it’s all in paper, you know? And with everything I teach my high schoolers about financial literacy here in Little Rock, I feel like I need to walk the talk a bit more with tangible assets. I’ve probably got around $60k-$70k tied up in silver right now, mostly American Eagles and some older rounds. The main reason I initially focused on silver was the lower entry point, but now I'm starting to eye gold for that long-term stability and perhaps a slightly less volatile ride.

My current strategy for the silver has always been a "buy and hold" approach, averaging in over time and just letting it sit. I like the idea of owning physical wealth outside of the traditional banking system. But honestly, watching the price swings of silver can be a bit… exhilarating, to say the least. Gold feels like it has a more consistent track record as a safe haven, especially when the market gets squirrely. I’m wondering if anyone else here made a similar transition from primarily silver stacking to a Gold IRA, and what their experiences were like?

I’m also trying to figure out the logistics of converting physical silver into a Gold IRA. Is it better to sell the silver first and then contribute cash, or are there services that can help facilitate a direct transfer of physical assets? I’m still pretty new to the Gold IRA world, but from what I understand, there are specific types of gold bars and coins that are eligible. I’ve been looking into this Eligibility Checker online to see if my situation even qualifies for an IRA rollover, which seems like a good first step. Any advice on reputable custodians or dealers for Gold IRAs would be hugely appreciated too. I want to make sure I'm doing this right, especially with retirement funds.

I’m not looking to dump all my silver, mind you. I still like the diversification it offers. But I’m thinking maybe 25-30% of my silver stack might be better served in a Gold IRA, providing that extra layer of security for my retirement. What do you all think? Is this a solid move, or am I overthinking things? Are there any common pitfalls I should be aware of when moving from physical silver to a Gold IRA?