Despite this week's unexpected increase beyond $1,700 an ounce, the gold market is still unstable.
As the deciding factor between negative and bullish emotions heading into the year's end, analysts point to next week's inflation statistics.
Between April and September, gold had six straight months of losses, but the fourth quarter has started strong for gold.
Gold futures on the December Comex were last trading at $1,711.60, up 2.4% on the week.
The price of the precious metal increased as a result of escalating market worries and prospective economic slowdowns.
The bad news encouraged wagers that the Federal Reserve would change course from its ferocious tightening cycle.