Visitors from mainland China tour a jewellery store displaying a hawk-shaped golden figurine, which costs $6,920, in Hong Kong on October 7, 2009. Gold hit a record high on the spot and futures markets on Wednesday, with dollar weakness continuing to support sentiment by attracting fresh investment in the precious metal, traders said. (REUTERS)

Gold artifact

Tsubasa Kanda, an employee of Japan's top bullion house Tanaka Kikinzoku Kogyo, looks at a gold artifact using 15kg of pure gold in total during a photo opportunity at an event to promote gold in Tokyo on October 7, 2009. Gold eased from record highs on Wednesday as investors took profits, but sentiment remained bullish and a fresh record was within sight as the dollar's weakness and inflation concerns reinforced bullion's appeal as a hedge. (REUTERS)

Gold ingots from various countries

Gold ingots from various countries are displayed at the Ginza Tanaka gold jewelery shop in preparation for the Tokyo Gold Week exhibition in Tokyo on October 7, 2009. The price of gold struck an all-time high on October 6 as the US dollar fell on a news report of a plan by Gulf states to stop using the greenback for oil trading. (AFP)

Gold shop in Hong Kong

A woman walks past a gold shop in Hong Kong on October 07, 2009. Hong Kong gold prices opened higher at 1,038.00-1,039.00 USD an ounce the morning after the price of gold struck an all-time high as the US dollar fell on a news report of a plan by Gulf states to stop using the greenback for oil trading. (AFP)

Tray of gold at jewellery shop

A salesman displays a tray of gold bangles for the camera at a jewellery shop in Singapore on October 7, 2009. Gold hit a record high on the spot and futures markets on Wednesday, with dollar weakness continuing to support sentiment by attracting fresh investment in the precious metal, traders said. (REUTERS)

Bow tie made of pure gold fibers

Japanese actor Seishiro Kato, wearing a bow tie made of pure gold fibers, from Japanese bullion house Tanaka Kikinzoku, smiles during an event to promote gold in Tokyo on October 7, 2009. Gold eased from record highs on Wednesday as investors took profits, but sentiment remained bullish and a fresh record was within sight as the dollar's weakness and inflation concerns reinforced bullion's appeal as a hedge. (REUTERS)

Gold jewellery

A vendor arranges gold jewellery in a shop in Hefei, Anhui province on October 7, 2009. Gold might be a luxury most can live without when times are hard, but for cautious investors in China, the world's top producer and consumer of bullion, it has become a matter of necessity. (REUTERS)

Gold bangles

A vendor arranges gold bangles in a glass case at a gold jewellery shop in Hefei, Anhui province on October 7, 2009. Gold might be a luxury most can live without when times are hard, but for cautious investors in China, the world's top producer and consumer of bullion, it has become a matter of necessity. (REUTERS)

Gold bars, ingots at Taipei bank

A Bank of Taiwan staff displays gold bars and ingots at the bank in Taipei in October 7, 2009. Gold eased from record highs on Wednesday as investors took profits, but sentiment remained bullish and a fresh record was within sight as the dollar's weakness and inflation concerns reinforced bullion's appeal as a hedge. (REUTERS)