"Silver currently shows a powerful 'cup-and-handle' formation; we've seen similar formations for gold over the past couple of years, and each time the metal subsequently rallied to new all-time highs," notes Brien Lundin.

The editor of The Gold Newsletter -- and the host of the annual New Orleans Gold Conference -- explains, "This pattern is a potent indication of a rally ahead.

In short, silver is shining right now, and seems ready to gleam even more brightly, especially in comparison to gold. Meanwhile, one of our favorite silver stocks is Silvercorp Metals (SVM).

"With many stocks so clearly undervalued, we set ourselves the goal of finding some with the potential to double or better over the next 18 to 24 months," says Stephen Leeb.

The editor of The Complete Investor adds, "Two such gems are metals plays -- Silver Wheaton (SLW), a more conservative play in our growth portfolio, and NovaGold Resources (NG), a more speculative holding in our small-cap value portfolio.

"These two metal picks are both leveraged to precious metals, one to silver and one to gold.

"Gold has most likely put in its lows for the current correction. We are now well-positioned to profit from the anticipated move and will look to be fully allocated on a move above $1,220," says metals sector specialist Jason Hamlin.

The editor of Gold Stock Bull explains, "Gold stocks are on sale at the moment and have explosive potential if this year ends as expected. As such, I've made a new addition to our portfolio, Goldcorp (GG), a company that I believe to be best-in-breed among major producers.

Shares of mining giant Freeport-McMoran (FCX) have been beaten down in 2010 after producing tremendous gains in 2009. Year-to-date, Freeport has fallen nearly 22% and the stock currently changes hands for around $62.50. It appears that sentiment in FCX may be changing, however, and if momentum swings the other way, big gains likely lie ahead for this stock.

Freeport-McMoran, through its wholly owned subsidiary Phelps Dodge, is a copper, gold, and molybdenum mining company. The stock is highly correlated to copper prices, which are in turn extremely dependent on Chinese demand. China is the world's fastest growing economy and, as such, is the engine that is driving global growth right now.

"While I don't see a lot more upside for gold in the coming months, I continue to recommend select mining stocks; for example, Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM) is a stable company with significant production growth potential. Even if the price of bullion remains stable, AEM's profits should increase," says Canadian investing specialist Gordon Pape.

The editor of Internet Wealth Builder explains, "AEM is a Canadian company that has operating mines in Quebec and Nunavut as well as in northern Finland and Mexico. Note the geography - all are stable countries with no known political threats to mining ventures.

"We see plenty of room in the markets to stage a rally back to its recent highs, and plenty of short-term profit potential as well; I see a great opportunity to scoop up some juicy resource stocks, courtesy of the market pullback," says Larry Edelson.

The editor of the Real Wealth newsletter explains, "At worst, I think we can get a short-term rally that can put some additional profits in your pocket. And if I'm wrong, the risk of entering these new trades at this time is on the low side.

"These stocks below are cheap! A composite, or synthesized forecast of all cycles for the S&P 500 Index shows that the rally since last March is only about half way over, and that it could extend all the way into August of this year.

"While gold prices have surged 90% since year-end 2006, shares of Newmont Mining (NEM) still trade below their 2006 high of nearly $63 per share," observes Richard Moroney.

The editor of Dow Theory Forecasts, a blue-chip focused newsletter that has been published since 1946, explains, "Newmont generates more than 80% of its revenue from the sale \of gold, and the metal's recent strength has pushed earnings and cash flow sharply higher. As a result, the stock has seldom looked better under our "growth-at-a-good-price" approach.

"Important market bottoms are often very sharp and quick; long term tops, on the other hand, are typically more muted," says Curtis Hesler. "They usually roll over. As prices weaken, the Street - not yet bearish - will buy into initial weakness. This can cause volatile choppy action not unlike what we have seen over the last few weeks."

The editor of the Professional Timing Service continues, "The averages are sporting oversold readings, which you can see from the McClellan Oscillator chart below. However, bear markets tend to get oversold and stay there.

"Upside rallies will be brief and muted. Bottom line, we may see more erratic trading, but all the evidence points toward the next sustained trend being lower for financial/paper assets.

"The fallout from plunging oil prices and Europe's sovereign debt crisis has given investors few places to hide; however, one asset class that can be seen as safe haven is gold-related investments -- and the current pullback could be a good buying opportunity," suggests Brandon Clay.

The editor of Invest with an Edge explains, "The Market Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) has outperformed its larger rivals since its debut last November.

"The ETF has proven popular with investors; since it came public it has accumulated almost $116 million in assets. That's an impressive haul in such short time.

"Gold is now preparing for its next major move ... to new record highs ... and ultimately, to at least $2,300 an ounce," forecasts resource specialist Larry Edelson.

The editor of Real Wealth suggests, "My view is that investors should listen to gold and what it's telling you. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind, whatsoever, that the next phase of Bernanke and Washington's plan to devalue the dollar is now in motion ... I consider it absolutely essential that your portfolio is invested in core gold positions."

"Western speculators are quick to dump gold on dollar strength, while long-term investors and savers continue to quietly accumulate in anticipation of oncoming inflation," says metals and mining specialist Brien Lundin.

In his The Gold Newsletter, he explains, "Over the long tern, the price of of gold will be set not by governments or speculators, but by those who look to gold as a bulwark against the ravages of inflation. Despite the vast tides of money flowing into and out of the "paper gold" markets as hedgers and speculators fight their daily games of tug-of-war, investors and savers across the globe continue to buy gold."

"We recommend Freeport-McMoRan (FCX), which bills itself as "the world's largest publicly-traded copper company". However, it also owns large deposits of gold and molybdenum," says Glenn Rogers.

The contributing analyst to The Internet Wealth Builder adds, "We also recommend BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), an Australian-based mining giant that has diversified into other areas such as crude oil, natural gas, and, most recently, potash in Saskatchewan. Its mineral assets include aluminum, silver, uranium, nickel, iron, diamonds, lead, and more.

Where should you invest in 2010?" asks resources sector expert Curtis Hesler, who suggests, "Preferably, you should stick to the heart of the matter and focus on crude oil and gold.".

In his top-ranked The Professional Timing Service, he explains, "Invest in assets that promise to increase in price as the dollar falls; this will insulate your portfolio from the damage that the ongoing deleveraging process will bring to the stock market and to other paper assets."

"Despite the expected correction, there is much further to go for gold and gold stocks." says Adrian Day. In The Global Analyst, he looks to the outlook for gold and some mining favorites.

"Gold saw its ninth annual advance, to new highs before a 10% correction at the end of the year. Gold certainly was helped by the weak dollar-and the year-end sell-off was provoke by a dollar recovery-but it's much more than an anti-dollar play.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

Curtis Hesler has accurately forecast both the longer-term uptrend in metals as well as the more recent pullback in gold. But he believes the setback will be temporary.

In his The Professional Timing Service, he suggests, "It is time to focus on upcoming buying opportunities in precious metals." Here, he looks at Goldcorp (GG) as his top pick for 2010.