"It's a very interesting situation right now," said owner of Uncle Sam's Pawn Shop Gary Chasin.

Chasin has been in the pawn business his entire life and said the market for gold has never been this good.

"A lot of the gold that has been sitting in the showcases has actually doubled in value," said Chasin.

Pawnshops and jewelers aren't the only ones cashing in, gold parties have become big business. 

Sahar Aker has been a gold party representative in central Ohio for about a year, and said lately karats are really cashing in.

"I was writing the checks, and it seemed like the same amount of gold a couple months ago wouldn't have brought in nearly as much," said Aker. "It's just been setting records every day."

Those record prices mean big payouts, which couldn't come at a better time for many.

"You can tell people really need it right now, and it feels good to be able to write those checks out," said Aker.

The checks keep getting bigger and bigger.

"We pay based on the karat of the gold, how much it weighs and what the closing price of gold is that day in the market," said Aker.

Aker's procedure isn't standard practice. The trade of gold is negotiable, so experts say beware.

"You just have to be careful because there's commissions all up and down the line for whoever is selling and buying it. You have to be very, very careful," said Chasin.

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