The Raman spectra of several molecules adsorbed on gold nanospheres (NSs) (12 nm in diameter) and nanorods (NRs) (25 nm x 10 nm) are studied using an off-plasmon resonance excitation condition. The studies are carried out in colloidal solution and on solid substrates. Enhancement factors on the order of 10(4)-10(5) are observed for the adsorbed molecules on the NRs, however, no such enhancement was observed on NSs under similar condition. These factors are two orders of magnitude larger than the calculated value using the Wang and Kerker electromagnetic model. This suggests a contribution from the chemical mechanism in the observed enhancement. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.