Gold ended the week down about 1% as investors digested discouraging remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on credit challenges facing a recoverying the U.S. housing market.

Gold futures for December delivery edged up to $1,714.7 on Friday, according to CME Group. Gold traded as high as $1,717.20 and as low as $1,705.60. Gold bullion closed in London at $1,716, according to BullionVault.

Silver futures for December delivery slipped to $32.37 per ounce. Friday’s high for silver was $32.68, while the low was $32.02.

Gold and silver funds moved lower in Friday trading.

• The SPDR Gold Trust (NYSE:GLD) dipped 0.1%.
• The iShares Gold Trust (NYSE:IAU) also slipped 0.1%.
• The iShares Silver Trust (NYSE:SLV) dropped 1%.

Gold and silver mining ETFs improved during the day.

• The Market Vectors Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDX) gained 1.1%.
• The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (NYSE:GDXJ) climbed 1.6%.
• The Global X Silver Miners ETF (NYSE:SIL) rose 1.2%.

Gold mining shares gained on Friday, with NovaGold Resources (NYSE:NG) rising highest.

• Agnico-Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEhM) increased 1%.
• Barrick Gold (NYSE:ABX) climbed 1.4%.
• Eldorado Gold (NYSE:EGO) edged up 0.1%.
• Goldcorp (NYSE:GG) fell 0.5%.
• Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC) gained 2%.
• Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) moved up 1.3%.
• NovaGold Resources surged 3%.
• Yamana Gold (NYSE:AUY) jumped 2%.

Silver mining shares also rose on Friday.

• Coeur d’Alene Mines (NYSE:CDE) inched higher 0.1%.
• Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) climbed 2.2%.
• Pan American Silver (NASDAQ:PAAS) increased 0.6%.
• Silver Wheaton (NYSE:SLW) gained 2%.
• Silver Standard Resources (NASDAQ:SSRI) soared 3.7%.

As of this writing, Christopher Freeburn did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. Adrian Ash of BullionVault contributed to this report.