US gold futures rose 1.5 percent early on Tuesday to their highest in nearly three weeks, as a sharp decline in the euro amid worries over a European debt crisis prompted safe-haven buying. US December gold futures gained $17.50, or 1.3 percent, to $1,383.50 on the COMEX division of the NYMEX. Shortly after the start of the open-outcry session, December set a high of $1,386.30 which marked the loftiest level since November 12.