The price of gold hitting about $3,500 in April has bolstered profits at pawnbroker Ramsdens as people clear out their jewellery boxes.
The chain, which has 169 UK stores, reported a surge in income from its precious metals service and jewellery shop.
Pre-tax profits rose 54 per cent year-on-year to a record £6.1million in the half-year to the end of March.
Total revenue rose 18 per cent to £51.6million with proceeds from precious metals up by nearly a third.
Ramsdens buys unwanted jewellery and then either sells it in stores or to a bullion dealer.

Gold rush: Pawnbroker Ramsdens, which has 169 UK stores, reported a surge in income from its precious metals service and jewellery shop
DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS

AJ Bell

AJ Bell
Easy investing and ready-made portfolios

Hargreaves Lansdown

Hargreaves Lansdown
Free fund dealing and investment ideas

interactive investor

interactive investor
Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month

InvestEngine

InvestEngine
Account and trading fee-free ETF investing

Trading 212

Trading 212
Free share dealing and no account fee
Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence.