It's been a banner year for gold. In March, the precious metal's price crossed the $3,000 per ounce mark for the first time in history — and the upward price trajectory didn't stop there. The price of gold has continued to climb in the time since, surging past the $3,300 per ounce mark this week.

Gold recently crossed the $3,000 mark for the first time. One reason that’s notable — it’s a sign of economic anxiety . Investors are unnerved over a renewed trade war and the prospects of a recession, and so they are seeking shelter from the storm. For some, gold is that shelter.

Gold prices pulled back from a record high on Thursday as investors booked profits following a rally driven by concerns around U.S. President Donald Trump's latest wave of tariff policies. Spot gold was down 0.