* Silver hits one-week high
* Spot gold may rise to $1,876/oz -Reuters technical analyst (Updates prices)
May 17 (Reuters) - Gold prices hit a 3-1/2 month high on Monday as a dip in U.S. Treasury yields and persistent inflation worries in the bullion market burnished its appeal.
Spot gold rose 0.4% to $1,848.66 per ounce by 1220 GMT, after hitting its highest since Feb. 2. U.S. gold futures gained 0.5% to $1,848.00.
“Higher than expected (U.S.) consumer price inflation and weaker retail sales was really the potent combination for gold,” said Ole Hansen, head of commodity strategy at Saxo Bank.
“Higher inflation has been the key source of inspiration for renewed demand that we have seen in gold, especially during the last couple of weeks.”