LOS ANGELES (AP) — With gold prices reaching record highs amidst global economic uncertainty, significant amounts of gold worth hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars are flowing through the St. Vincent Jewelry Center in downtown Los Angeles daily. The largest jewelry center in the United States is experiencing a surge in customers, with many of its 500 independent merchants reporting unprecedented levels of business. Customers are rushing in to sell or melt down their old jewelry, while others are opting to invest in gold blocks as a stable asset. This increase in gold activity coincides with President Donald Trump’s fluctuating tariff announcements, which have stirred financial markets and the threat of inflation.____This collection of photos has been curated by AP photo editors.
