Pocono News Section

Gold Costs Are Growing

Gold Costs Are Growing - Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 4:18PM EST

Reported by: Jill Konopka
Wednesday, Mar 19, 2008 @04:18pm EST
(WILKES-BARRE/Luzerne County)
The cost of gold is growing all across the gamut. Now everyone's trying to make the best of the rising situation.

WBRE News found Nancy Ek and Carol Pomeren of Jim Thorpe trading their unwanted gold for cash at Bartikowsky Jeweler's in Wilkes-Barre. Ron Antolick stated, "Both are here because the gold increase and other prices are high and certain things they can't afford, so they're actually selling."

Both women are hearing impaired, so we spoke to them through Interpreter Ron Antolick. He's also the gemologist.

Antolick added, "Mostly its stuff they don't wear, gold costs are high right now." The cost of gold is growing worldwide. Last week, it topped off at a thousand dollars an ounce. This week it's down to $950.00 an ounce.

Mac Ahmad told WBRE News, "And that makes the price of our products steeper to the consumer." Ahmad is the Vice President at Bartikowsky's. He says the climb in the price of gold isn't really affecting business in a bad way.

Ahmad stated, "In order to get products people can afford to buy, we're introducing a lot of silver lines, silver with gold mixed pieces."

Not only that, more and more people like Nancy and Carol are expanding their growth with gold.

Ron Antolick said, "Mainly to pay bill, mainly for bills." A process both sides are trying to make the best of. Ahmad said, "A real spike in the number of people bringing jewelry in.

A lot of them are surprised at how much their gold is worth.” Just a note of caution, sellers should get their gold appraised because a lot of gold jewelry is not pure or solid gold.