Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange settled with a modest gain for a second-straight session Tuesday, as U.S dollar weakened and equities fell.

The most active gold contract for August delivery rose 1.5 U.S. dollars, or 0.12 percent, to settle at 1,214.70 dollars per ounce.

Prices for the yellow metal gave up earlier losses as the dollar weakened and U.S. equities fell in the immediate wake of Donald Trump Jr.'s release of emails linked to a meeting with a Russian lawyer last year.

The Dollar Index edged down by 0.3 percent as of GMT 1930 as gold prices settled, with the greenback trimming its gains against the yen. U.S. equities, meanwhile, pared losses after Donald Trump Jr. released the chain of emails.

Gold prices had earlier touched low under 1,208 dollars an ounce on COMEX as the market gears up for Yellen's testimony on monetary policy to Congress on Wednesday. The Fed's Beige Book report is also due Wednesday.

As for other precious metals, silver for September delivery added 11.6 cents, or 0.74 percent, to close at 15.745 dollars per ounce. Platinum for October delivery went down 3.20 dollars, or 0.35 percent, to close at 898.70 dollars per ounce.