supply fears

Gold settled, remaining largely unchanged for the week after Iranian tensions appeared to ease and financial markets stabilized.

Weaker crude oil prices also weighed in to help keep gold in check. Platinum experienced five pounding days of losses as lowering supply fears slammed prices down.

"Theoretically, this would decrease the amount of money invested in oil as a hedge for the falling dollar."

Oil prices rose Monday, supported by weekend news of an attack on a Nigerian oil installation, but with gains limited by a stronger U.S. dollar.

Royal Dutch Shell PLC spokesman Precious Okolobo said Saturday that attackers hit a flow station belonging to Shell's joint venture in southern Nigeria and that some oil production had been shut down.