Gold prices tumbled to six-week lows on Thursday, under pressure from a strengthening dollar on expectations of further U.S. rate rises this year and receding political uncertainty in Europe.
Spot gold was down 0.76 percent to $1,228.55. U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell $19.90 to settle at $1,228.60 an ounce.
Traders said the sell-off accelerated after New York opened.
The dollar strengthened after the U.S. Federal Reserve played down any threats to this year's planned rises in interest rates, supporting forecasts of another move in June.
A rising U.S. currency makes dollar-denominated commodities more expensive for holders of other currencies, potentially subduing demand for gold.
Expectations that centrist Emmanuel Macron would win the French presidential election on Sunday were reinforced after a TV debate with the far-right's Marine Le Pen.
"Since the first round (April 23) of the French election we have seen gold come under pressure," said ING commodities strategist Warren Patterson.
Investors breathed a sigh of relief after Macron won the first round of the election on April 23, seeing his victory as the best of all possible outcomes.
Gold fell 1.5 percent on Wednesday — its worst single-day drop since Nov. 23 — breaching both its 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Next support comes in around $1,221, the 100-day moving average.
Sachs analysts said in a note.
Higher U.S. interest rates are a negative for gold, which earns nothing and costs money to insure and store. The focus is now shifting to Friday's U.S. non-farm payrolls report for April, which could reinforce perceptions of higher U.S. interest rates in June.
Spot silver lost 0.55 percent to $16.30. It has fallen more than 10 percent since touching a 5-month high of $18.65 in mid-April.
Platinum was up 1.06 percent at $902 from an earlier $890.50, its lowest since December.
Palladium rose 0.08 percent to $799.95. It touched $831.50 on Wednesday, its highest since March 2015 on expectations of robust demand from carmakers.