Gold defied weaker oil prices and gained on Friday after a major earthquake struck north-east Japan and lingering worries about further unrest in the Middle East supported bullion. Gold added $3.66 to $1,416.25 by 0730 GMT, but a firming US dollar could also cap gains. Gold hit a record of $1,444.40 on Monday, when investors poured money into bullion as oil jumped on violence in Libya and after the downgrade of Greece's credit rating reignited worries about eurozone sovereign debt.