CHICAGO, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange closed lower for a third straight session on Monday, as U.S. dollar index climbed to its highest level in more than 17 months, dulling demand for the precious metal.

The most active gold contract for December delivery dropped 5.1 U.S. dollars, or 0.42 percent, to close at 1,203.5 dollars per ounce.

The U.S. dollar index, which measures the buck against six rivals, jumped 0.54 percent to 97.52 as of 1930 GMT.

Gold usually moves in opposite directions with the U.S. dollar, which means if the dollar goes strong, gold futures will fall as gold, priced in U.S. dollar, becomes expensive for investors using other currencies.

As for other precious metals, silver for December delivery fell 12.9 cents, or 0.91 percent, to settle at 14.011 dollars per ounce. Platinum for 2019 January dropped 10.7 dollars, or 1.25 percent, to close at 845.3 dollars per ounce.