Irene Kletzel took her mother's advice when she sold her mom's gold jewelry at today's near-record-high prices and bought her own preferred bling.

"My mom [Elena Waisbord] gave me her jewelry -- a lot of heavy gold chains and necklaces, things that neither myself nor my daughter would wear," said Kletzel, a retired teacher and Highland Park resident who enjoys taking care of her grandchildren. "I travel, and I wanted elegant pieces that aren't flashy."

Kletzel took the jewelry, mostly 18-karat gold chains, to Shelle Jewelers in Northbrook, where she promptly spent the money for new jewels.

Though Kletzel declined to disclose the amount she made or spent, Shelle Jewelers Vice President Brian Millman described a recent transaction: A customer received $2,982.75 for yellow-gold necklaces, bracelets and earrings that she had never worn, and spent $810.95 of her proceeds to add diamonds to a necklace she wanted to dress up.

"She walked out of the store with a jazzed-up piece and a check for the difference," Millman said. "We are seeing a lot of people selling their gold."

Source: Chicago Sun-Times