Before you move a single dollar, it's worth slowing down and getting the full picture of what a gold IRA really is. Nora Carol Photography/Getty Images Gold has spent the better part of the past couple of years rewriting what investors thought they knew about precious metals. With gold prices now hovering above $5,100 per ounce — roughly double where they were just 12 months ago — the metal is no longer considered a niche asset, and investors across the spectrum are now loading up on gold bullion. Everyday retirement savers are paying close attention, too, as many are wondering whether gold has earned a place in their long-term financial plans.That question has pushed one particular vehicle into the spotlight: the gold individual retirement account (IRA). The idea of a gold IRA sounds straightforward enough on the surface — it's a retirement account that holds gold — but the mechanics, rules and costs are meaningfully different from anything you'll find in a standard 401(k) or traditional IRA.…