New Delhi, Jan. 30 -- Precious metals - gold and silver - came under heavy selling pressure in Friday's trading session, impacted by a firm US dollar and profit-taking by investors after a sustained rally that had pushed both metals to multiple record highs.

Silver, which had outpaced gold in the recent rally, plunged Rs.72,000 per kilogram, or 20%, in its biggest intraday crash in recent times, pushing the March delivery contract on MCX to Rs.3,27,913. In the international market, spot silver prices fell 18% to the day's low of $94.85 per ounce.

If the sell-off sustains, as appears likely, it will end the five-day rally on MCX. To be precise, silver prices had already seen a sharp correction during the late trading hours of Thursday, w...