Copper prices inched higher, tin hit a record for a second straight session and lead scaled a three-year high on the London Metal Exchange, while Brent crude prices fell as prospects of a peace deal in Libya eased supply worries.
Shares of resources companies firmed along with metals, thought profit taking left Asia's major stock markets weaker. European shares were also expected to open slightly lower, with investors cautious ahead of the start of earnings season.
Gold jumped to a life-time high for a fifth session, topping $1,476 as prospects of more declines in the US dollar drove investors into the precious metal, with record exchange traded fund holdings helping silver to its highest in more than three decades.
"I think there is a good chance that gold could hit $1,500 an ounce within this quarter. And perhaps even higher if we see the weakness in the dollar persist and the Federal Reserve continues their relatively easy monetary policy," said Ong Yi Ling, investment analyst at Phillip Futures in Singapore.
Japanese stocks eased 0.5 percent after hitting a one-month high on Friday and after Citigroup slashed ratings on the country's major automakers to "sell", saying the impact of last month's massive earthquake had yet to be fully priced in.
Hong Kong fell 0.4 percent and South Korea ended 0.3 percent lower. Australia was the lone big bourse in the region to show gains, advancing 0.6 percent on strength in mining and oil shares.
Chinese shares traded at 2011 highs due to heavy inflows from foreign investors.
LME copper gained 0.3 percent to $9,905 a tonne, extending gains from last week, after data showed Chinese copper imports rose 30 percent on the month.
In currency markets, the euro rose to 15-month highs around $1.4488 , paving the way for a test of $1.4582, the Jan 2010 high, as expectations grew that the ECB would follow up April's quarter point rate increase with another one in July.
Brent crude futures fell 50 cents to near $126 a barrel, while US light crude futures were little changed at $112.69 after briefly topping $113 in early trade.
