CHICAGO, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell on Tuesday as U.S. Treasury yields rose sharply.

       The most active gold contract for June delivery fell 6.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.34 percent, to close at 1,927.5 dollars per ounce.

       Gold was under additional pressure as the U.S. dollar strengthened.

       Federal Reserve Board Governor Lael Brainard said Tuesday at a conference sponsored by the central bank's regional bank in Minneapolis that U.S. inflation is running very hot and could move up even higher, necessitating steady interest rate increases and a shrinking of the balance sheet.

       "It is of paramount importance to get inflation down," Brainard added.

       Silver for May delivery fell 5.6 cents, or 0.23 percent, to close at 24.534 dollars per ounce. Platinum for July delivery fell 17.9 dollars, or 1.81 percent, to close at 973.1 dollars per ounce.