Gold rates have jumped more than 24% so far in January, heading for a sixth straight month of gains and the largest monthly advance since January 1980. Silver prices have surged 62% so far this month,

Silver prices sank below $100 a troy ounce, just a week after they hit that milestone for the first time. Most actively traded silver futures recently stood about 21% lower, at $90.88. Gold and copper futures dropped more than 7% and nearly 5%,

Gold and silver prices fell sharply on Friday, snapping a powerful rally that had carried both metals to record highs in recent weeks.

After an exhilarating rally in the recent sessions, gold and silver futures took a nosedive on Friday as traders took the opportunity to cash in on their gains. The drop, spurred by a robust US dollar and shifting global market sentiments,