Gold and silver prices settle lower as traders take stock of situation in Ukraine

Gold prices are settling lower to end the week, a day after concerns about a conflict between Russia and Ukraine shot prices up.

Gold for August delivery fell $7.50, or 0.6 percent, to $1,309.40 an ounce. Silver for September sank 25 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $20.89.

Markets were rattled on Thursday following news that a passenger plane was shot down over eastern Ukraine, a battleground where government troops have been fighting Russian-backed separatists. Speculation that tensions between Russia and Ukraine could boil over sent traders into precious metals.

Dan Walsh, market strategist at RJ O'Brien & Associates in Chicago, says that with no escalation on Friday, traders were more willing to buy riskier assets, like stocks.

Industrial metals also settled lower Friday. Crude oil slipped to $103.13 a barrel.