Chinese cash in jewellery at automated gold recyclers as prices soar

China is the world's largest consumer of gold, which is traditionally purchased by families to mark special occasions like births and weddings. But as prices soared to a fresh high near $5,600 on Thursday, customers surrounding the bright yellow machine installed by gold trading firm Kinghood Group were looking to sell. "I never thought prices would rise so dramatically," said 54-year-old Wu, who told AFP she wanted to sell panda-themed gold coins she had purchased after the birth of her daughter in 2002.