Gold prices traded steady around $1,700 on Wednesday, after buying related to options' expiration lifted prices by more than 1 percent in the previous session, as investors continue to watch the unfolding eurozone debt crisis. Spot gold gained nearly half a percent to $1,707.70 an ounce by 0607 GMT, extending a rise of more than 1 percent in the previous session. US gold inched up 0.4 percent to $1,708.90.
Spot silver lost 0.4 percent to $32.56, after jumping 3.4 percent in the previous session. US silver fell 1.2 percent to $32.57, giving up some of its 5.9-percent rise in the previous session.