Both the precious metals, gold and silver, moved up today on buying by stockists and jewellers to meet the upcoming festival demand, amid a firming global trend.

While gold rose by Rs 35 to Rs 21,020 per 10 grams, silver spurted by Rs 400 to Rs 56,000 per kg.

Trading sentiment turned better after gold advanced in London as fighting in Libya and concerns about European debt spurred the demand for an alternative investment.

Gold in global markets, which normally sets the price trend at the domestic front, rose by $2.80 or 0.2 per cent to $1,421.30 an ounce.

Besides, stockists and jewellers enlarged their positions for the upcoming festival of “Navratras”, considered to be an auspicious fortnight for purchasing new things such as silver coins and jewellery.

At the domestic front, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity rose by Rs 35 each to Rs 21,020 and Rs 20,900 per 10 grams, respectively. Sovereign remained stable at Rs 17,500 per piece of eight grams.

Similarly, silver ready rose further by Rs 400 to Rs 56,000 per kg and weekly-based delivery by Rs 375 to Rs 55,565 per kg. Silver coins also surged by Rs 2,000 to a new peak of Rs 61,500 for buying and Rs 62,000 for selling of 100 pieces.