What is the LBMA?
The London Bullion Market Association is the trade organization at the center of the global wholesale gold and silver markets. It sets the standards for bar quality, custody, and refining that the professional market runs on.
Its best-known output is the Good Delivery list: refiners whose bars meet strict requirements for fineness, weight, marking, and assay practice.
Why does Good Delivery accreditation matter to you?
Liquidity. A bar from a Good Delivery refiner is accepted at face value by dealers and depositories worldwide, no retesting, no discount, no questions. A bar from an unlisted refiner may need to be re-assayed before anyone buys it, at your cost.
IRA eligibility runs through the same door: custodians require products from recognized mints or accredited refiners, and the LBMA list is the standard reference.
How does the LBMA show up in practice?
When a quote names a refiner, check that the name is one the market recognizes. Your dealer or custodian can confirm accreditation; major depositories only accept bars from established, accredited sources.