BEIJING -- In the first half of the year, gold consumption in China reached 505.21 metric tons, down 3.54 percent year-on-year, data from the China Gold Association revealed.

In breakdown, the consumption of gold jewelry in China stood at 199.83 tons, down 26 percent from a year earlier.

The consumption of gold coins and bars surged by 23.69 percent year-on-year to 264.24 tons in the first six months, the CGA said.

During the same period, gold consumption for industrial and other uses increased by 2.59 percent from a year earlier to 41.14 tons, according to the CGA.