This article is part of a special 20 article report on "Metals, miners and money".

"It wasn't that long ago -- in late 2003, to be exact -- when we were bumping up against the $400 ceiling in gold; and now we've barreled through $800," says Brien Lundin, editor of The Gold Newsletter, and host and opening speaker at the recent New Orleans Investment Conference.

Although he remains cautious on the near-term outlook -- and indeed, forecasts a correction from current levels -- he suggests, "Perhaps the reasons behind gold's rally don't matter -- and we need only consider the fact that it is rallying."

From a long-term perspective, he suggests, "The very fact that gold is rallying so strongly is telling us something about the geopolitical, economic, and/or investing scene. Does gold know something we don't?"

The gold and resource investing expert suggests, "Perhaps it's telling us that global liquidity is far deeper than we can yet understand. Maybe it's telling us that the worldwide move away from the dollar as a reserve currency is accelerating behind the scenes.

"Perhaps it's indicating that economic growth in Asia will continue, and is capable of thriving without the support of Western consumer demand.... Maybe gold is foreshadowing a geopolitical blow-up.

"Perhaps the metal is whispering that the housing crunch, with peaks in adjustable rate mortgage resets coming at the end of the year, will become worse than anyone yet fears. Or perhaps that there is some still unseen derivative or other economic crisis about to erupt.

What are the best speculations and investments among metals, miners, and other resource plays? To find out, I turned to 20 of the nation's leading newsletter editors, as well as speakers from the recent New Orleans Conference, a leading forum for resource advisors.

Their current top ideas cover a wide diversity of ideas, from gold and silver, from alumina and copper, to platinum and palladium. These picks cover markets from Chile to China and from Canada to Russia. These ideas also range from large cap, well-established, and diversified companies to small cap, development-stage junior speculations.

Readers should only consider these ideas as a starting place for their own research and should keep in mind the caveat that any stock you buy should only be considered within the framework of your own time horizon and risk parameters. Meanwhile, here are 20 different advisors assessing various aspects of the metals, mining, and resources sectors:

Each year Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, surveys the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is part of his 24th annual Top Picks Report.

Pele Mountain Resources (CDNX: GEM) is the top speculative idea for 2007 from Yola Edwards -- for those speculators who are fully aware of the very high risks inherent in a low priced junior mining stock.

The editor of Yola's Charts says, "Diamonds are a girl's best friend, so the saying goes, but add to that, a mix of gold, uranium and base metals and you have a gem of a company. Pele Mountain Resources, which explores and develops in northern Ontario, is virtually unknown.

"Pele owns 100% of its Elliott Lake uranium project, which was abandoned years ago when falling uranium prices undermined the property's economic viability. However, global demand and limited supply is expected to support the resurgence of uranium prices.

"Technically, the stock has traced out a solid three-year saucer base from 2003-2006 and has recently broken out to the upside with several significant upside breakout points. The fifth primary wave advance, of the first wave of intermediate degree, should complete at about $1.70.

"But in my view, that's just the beginning. Future reports may confirmed the continuation of the mineralized zone within the Elliott Lake boundaries; if so, this stock would be grossly undervalued. Pele Mountain has 63.2 million shares outstanding and is debt free."

To see Yola's favorite conservative stock for 2007, click here.