regardless of what the economy does i cant see a return to the $500 level...gold (unlike oil) really is getting harder to find and any new sources (like undersea/space mining are a long way off yet)...higher demand from china/india and the numerous new industrial uses for gold will probably grow more...the continued various central bank scandels about thier gold being fake will only help keep the price elevated...

most newly found "deposits" are actually tailings from old mines now....companies are scrambling to scoop up 1gr/ton deposits...

IF the economy gets better, and IF interest rates dont skyrocket i still cant see gold crashing like before...the higher cash costs and supply/demand just wont let it...

we'll see.