Gold color: types, classification, shade palette, what determines the color of jewelry, the influence of fineness and carat on them

Gold is an expensive metal that is used to make fine jewelry in combination with precious stones. Such products have always been valued much more than those in which the main metal is silver. Gold will always be in trend and will never go out of style. Any girl or guy will gladly accept such a gift.

Each of the jewelry differs not only in its design, but in the type of gold that was used. White, yellow or red gold can be used to create a masterpiece. What are their differences?

Story

Gold was used by man many years ago. When wood and stone were taken as a basis, gold was already used for decoration. This is explained by the fact that this precious metal can be easily found in its pure form.

If earlier this metal served only as currency and was used to make various jewelry, then over time it began to be used in various fields. These include electrical engineering, weapons production and medicine.

Many countries store gold bullion in their reserves.

Reviews

Svetlana: I’ve been wearing a black gold ring for several years now. It looks unusual and attracts attention. Over the course of three years, almost imperceptible scratches appeared on it. I bought it in Moscow at the Diamonds are Forever store.

Yana: I used to see white and green gold, but I didn’t know whether it came in black. One day I saw earrings on the official website of American, couldn’t resist and ordered them. The jewelry is simply magnificent, it looks just like in the photo: voluminous, with a scattering of multi-colored stones. They didn't cheat with the size either. There is no hallmark on them, only a factory imprint, but this doesn’t bother me much, because I took them for myself. And they look simply amazing.

Black gold jewelry is unusual and spectacular. Contrasting combinations of black precious metal with yellow and white gold and multi-colored stones are attracting more and more fans.

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Chemical and physical properties

Gold is not susceptible to the influence of aggressive environments and substances and does not react. Since the noble metal does not oxidize, it is widely used in many fields.

In its pure form, this material has a rich yellow color and has a soft but dense consistency.

When creating a ball from 1 kg of gold, you will get a sphere with a diameter of 46.2 mm.

Pure gold works well and is easy to forge. But due to softness, impurities from different materials are added.

Blue, blue and purple gold

To obtain a delicate blue tint, a cobalt ligature is added to the metal or rhodium plating is applied. Some manufacturers add indium to obtain “heavenly” gold.

Mixing gold with steel produces an unusual blue metal. When potassium or aluminum is added, the alloy acquires a purple tint.

Remember: decorative types of gold do not have a pronounced color, but only cast in one shade or another. If the seller offers you gold of a rich color - red, blue, light blue or green, it is most likely just a coating.

Types of gold

An alloy of precious metal with a chemical element is used to make jewelry.

The ratio of gold and impurities is the ligature. The reference value is taken as 1000. If 585 is indicated, this means that pure gold contains 585 parts, and 1000-585 = 415 other elements.

Main types

Depending on the composition, different shades of gold are obtained:

1. Yellow gold includes gold, silver and copper. This metal has been popular since ancient times to this day. Yellow gold is a symbol of wealth and luxury. This is what most people choose when choosing jewelry. It will always be valuable. The hue and saturation of the yellow color depends on the amount of silver that is in the composition. Color can range from light to dark.
2. Red gold. It contains much more copper, which is why it gets this color. In the USSR it was the most popular metal, because there was practically no other gold.
3. White gold is often confused with platinum. But such gold differs significantly in price; it is cheaper. Recently it has become popular due to its appearance and cost. The metal gets this color thanks to the elements it contains. These are platinum, nickel and palladium. Nickel is the cheapest of the above, but it is banned in most countries because it can cause an allergic reaction. The quality and price of the product depends on the metal that is included in the composition.

Other types

1. Rose gold, which has a delicate hue. This color is formed due to the predominance of copper and Cu-Au-Ag. This shade is rare and popular in the West.
2. Green or electrum is an alloy of gold and silver. Previously, cadmium was also added, but it was proven that it negatively affects the human body.
3. Purple gold. Less often you can find the name - amethyst. It turns out this color because of the aluminum that is in the composition. Previously, this material was very fragile and was practically not used. Only in 1999, a famous metallurgist from Singapore created the ideal formula that solved this problem.
4. Blue gold comes in two types. The first option is a combination with indium, and the second is iron, rhodium, ruthenium and nickel in the composition. In the first case, the result is a rather gray shade, and in the second, a more saturated one.
5. Black gold. This color is obtained by applying an oxide layer.
6. Gray gold has only recently appeared. This color is achieved by adding steel.

If recently only three types of gold were known, today more than ten are distinguished. These include brown, blue, grey, pink, blue, black, green and purple gold.

Each country prefers its own color of gold. For example, in India and Turkey, gold is bright yellow, while in Russia they prefer the classic yellow color.

Red and rose gold

The alloy acquires such shades thanks to copper. Copper has a good effect on the properties of finished products, giving them strength and durability.

Do not confuse red and red gold. The first contains about 50% copper alloy and has a frankly reddish tint. The second is named after chervonets - gold coins made of almost pure gold.

Romantic pink color usually indicates 585 metal. It is made in the following proportions: 14 parts gold, 7 or 8 parts copper, 2 or 3 parts silver.

Yellow gold

Many people associate wealth with yellow gold. Such jewelry goes perfectly with any stones and suits any look. Shades can range from lemon to dark yellow.

Main advantages

1. Availability. You can purchase yellow gold jewelry at any jewelry store.
2. Large selection of options. No two pieces of jewelry are identical. Each ring or earrings is different in its appearance.
3. The color is unique. Jewelry made from this material retains its shine and tint for a long time if properly cared for.
4. Versatility. This metal is suitable for any skin color, age and status in society.
5. The price will never fall, and if desired, the jewelry can be easily sold.

Where can I buy or sell?

The safest option would be to purchase jewelry from a large store. Here, before purchasing, you can study the passport and certificate, and also carefully examine the product. There is a larger selection of jewelry in online stores, but the risk of buying a fake increases. It will not be easy to exchange such a product.

Black gold products are produced not only by large factories, but also by small workshops. Unique jewelry can be found on Internet resources such as “Masters' Fair”.

At lower prices, you can find used jewelry in pawn shops and among private advertisements. In this case, the authenticity of the goods remains on the conscience of the seller. The cost of products often speaks volumes about their quality. It is affected by the following parameters:

• rhodium plating has a lower cost than manufacturing a complex alloy;
• the cost of a gram of pure gold, established by the Central Bank;
• gold content;
• the presence of inserts made of precious stones, pearls, and other alloys;
• product exclusivity;
• place of production, delivery, transportation costs.

How much is 1 gram of black gold worth today?

I suggest you familiarize yourself with the current price for products made of blackened precious metal:

White gold

A good alternative to platinum is white gold. This material is popular and has an elegant appearance. Jewelers often combine it with pearls, diamonds or other stones. Such decorations attract attention and admiring glances.

The composition may contain nickel, but it can cause allergies. When purchasing, it is worth studying the components from which the jewelry is made.

Main advantages

1. Always in fashion. Such decorations will be relevant even after decades.
2. The products are original. They are characterized by an unusual shape and a complex design solution.
3. Status. If a person can afford expensive white gold jewelry, then this speaks of his lifestyle and high status.

Other classifications

Gold can be divided into banking and jewelry. If in banking the main thing is the purity of the metal and compliance with standards, then in jewelry the artistic element is very important. Obtaining a new shade while maintaining the strength and inertness of the metal in relation to the environment is considered an achievement.

Gold is mined in various parts of the Earth. For many years, the leaders in production have been five countries: Peru, USA, Australia, Russia, and China. South Africa is close to this list. Developments in Africa, Asia and Latin America have been increasing recently, because there is cheap labor, loyal laws and many new deposits. In some places its content in the ore is high and mining easily pays off, in others you have to collect the smallest grains and constantly look for new veins.

Which one is better?

There is no answer to this question. The color of gold depends on the secondary metals that were used in its creation.

When choosing, you should focus on your preferences and the images with which a person will wear them. Jewelry of 585 standard is suitable for daily wear. 750 standard is less common and more expensive. Such products are worn much less often.

The most expensive gold is white, and the most affordable is yellow. There are lovers of exclusively red gold, but today it is much less common than other types.

By cleanliness

Until the end of the 19th – beginning of the 20th centuries. all major countries had their own ideas about the hallmark of precious metals. In Russia, until 1927, a spool system was used. It was based on a peg to the Russian pound (96 spools). According to it, the sample was determined by the weight of gold in 96 units of the alloy. If there were no foreign metals in the composition, it was considered pure.

Germany used the lot system of samples to determine the purity of gold until 1888. As in Russia, prospectors depended on a currency - the mark, which was in use among the Celtic, Germanic and Scandinavian populations. 1 stamp contained 16 lots.

Nowadays, checking the percentage of precious metal in a product is unified. Based on it, there are officially 2 sample systems: metric, popular in Russia and the CIS countries, and carat, used in the USA and Europe.

The dependence of different sample systems can be tracked in the table below.

Gold mining

About 100 years ago, people had absolutely no idea how to properly find and mine gold. They trusted their intuition and good vision. Today everything has changed. The deposits of the element are known, and where exactly it is formed.

Over the entire period, more than 160 thousand tons of gold were mined.

Leading countries

For a long time, the Republic of South Africa was considered the leader, but today it is China. Second place is occupied by Australia, and third place by Russia. The USA, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and others also retain their positions.

Known mine deposits

• Muruntau, which is located in Uzbekistan and is the largest deposit. It was discovered in 1958, but mining began for the first time in 1969.
• Goldstrike in the USA. Each year, approximately 124,000 ounces of the precious metal are mined from this deposit. The first production began in 1986.
• Pueblo Viejo (Dominican Republic)

In Russia, gold reserves are estimated at 12.5 tons, but more than half of them are of industrial importance. The most famous mining sites include Sukhoi Log, Berezovskoye and Vorontsovskoye. If there are 2-5 grams of gold per 1 ton of rock, then mining is carried out.

Gold: history of origin, characteristics of the metal

No one can determine the exact date of the discovery of gold as a precious metal. Archaeologists find brightly colored items in caves where their ancient owners lived more than 50 thousand years ago. The metal was most widespread in China, Ancient India, and Ancient Egypt.

It is believed that this is where solar metal was mined for the first time.

The ancient Egyptians were able to establish organized mining of the precious metal, and then change the currency - gold replaced barley grains in this position. The ancient state managed to accumulate almost 5,000 tons of solar metal, and then lost it due to wars. For about 10 centuries, gold ore mining was very modest.

Gold coins and bars
Since the discovery of America, interest in gold mining has increased; already in the 19th century, this activity reached the international level. The search for gold-bearing veins and accumulations by archaeologists made it possible to discover a number of new lands. Our country has actively begun production and processing. 1948 - opening of the Institute (VNII-1), which is still studying gold and other rare metals.

How to distinguish gold from fake

Since the cost of gold is quite high, it is very important to be able to identify the craft when purchasing. The best option is to buy products only from trusted stores. You should not trust little-known kiosks and unverified online stores. You can buy a fake there for the price of the original. The price of 1 gram of gold cannot vary significantly in different stores. If it is too small, then there is a high probability that it is a fake.

When purchasing, you need to study the product. There must be a sample on it; if it is difficult to find it, then it is better to use a magnifying glass. But this option does not guarantee authenticity, because a sample is also applied to fakes.

When studying, you should look at all the edges of the material. If it changes color at the joints, then it is a fake.

How to recognize copper in a composition?

Aristotle argued that the best way to determine copper is to taste it. To do this, you need to use two cups made of different materials. They pour the same water into them and drink from them. Water with copper will have a metallic taste, but water with gold will not be at all different from ordinary water.

How to distinguish a fake at home?

To determine the authenticity of gold in a ring, you can throw it on a table (any flat surface) and listen to the sound. If it is crystal clear, then it is original. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not suitable for bracelets, earrings and chains.

1. You can try to scratch the product with a sharp knife or a “tooth”. The latter method can often be seen in period films. There will be a mark on the original gold. But there is a high probability of error, because lead also leaves a mark due to its softness.
2. Iodine is suitable for testing, which can always be found in the first aid kit. One drop is enough to apply to the decoration. If after 3-5 minutes there is no trace left on the product and no reaction has occurred, then the product is original. There will be a trace on the fake.
3. Nitric acid is suitable for identifying the original. If you drop it on gold, no reaction will occur. If the metal is gilded, it will become milky in color. And the fake will turn green. For convenience, this should be done in a metal container.
4. When the ring is placed in vinegar, it will not change its color at all. It is often used to purify gold.
5. When in contact with a magnet, gold does not react in any way. This method can be safely used when purchasing in a store.
6. To check, you can use the decoration of the same sample. You need to take a sheet of paper and run them across it with a little force. The tracks must be identical.
7. Color. The shade of gold in the sun and in the shade will help determine authenticity. It should be absolutely the same even in different light. A fake can shine much brighter in the sun than in the shade.
8. To determine whether only a product is gold-plated or gold, you should scrape the metal in one place. Gilding may wear off, but gold will not change color.
9. If necessary, you can buy a clumsy pencil at the pharmacy. Any material other than gold darkens upon contact with it.

Each of the methods is good, but none of them will accurately answer the question of the authenticity of the jewelry. To be on the safe side, it is better to contact a jewelry maker who specializes in this.

Methods of obtaining

There are three main ways to obtain dark-colored precious metal:

1. Intermetallic alloy of gold, cobalt and chromium.
2. Rhodium plating, or the coating of traditional yellow metal with rhodium.
3. Surface treatment with amorphous carbon.

The first method allows you to obtain a gold alloy with a deep black color. Products made from it are not afraid of scratches and damage. In other cases, a colored coating is created on the surface of already finished objects. The jeweler controls the process of obtaining color and achieves the desired shade.

Expert opinion

Vsevolod Kozlovsky

6 years in jewelry making. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds

Rhodium plating is done by galvanization - applying a metal coating to finished jewelry with a stamp using electrodes. The 0.2 mm rhodium film is durable and can protect soft precious metals from scratches, but over time it will wear off on its own. In this case, the jewelry will require repair and refinishing. Carbon plating is often used to create blackened gold in bracelets and watches when a large surface area is required.

Processing methods are constantly being improved. Thus, RAS scientists have discovered a nanomethod for producing metal alloys. Its essence lies in mixing microparticles of elements. The resulting materials have better characteristics compared to conventional alloys.

Another direction in jewelry is laser metal processing. The main disadvantage of innovations is their high cost, so the main methods for producing precious non-ferrous alloys remain melting and galvanization.

How to care for gold?

Gold is a rather fragile material that is susceptible to contamination and requires proper care.

Care Tips

1. It is best to remove gold jewelry before doing household chores such as washing and cooking. The same applies to taking a shower and washing your hands.
2. Do not throw jewelry, as this can damage it.
3. It is best to store products away from sunlight in a soft bag or box. Each ring, bracelet and earrings must have its own packaging.
4. Do not use aggressive cleaning agents on gold.

Cleaning jewelry

Proper cleaning of gold jewelry regularly will ensure long-lasting beauty. They will retain their shine and beautiful appearance.

1. Dishwashing liquid or soap is suitable for cleaning gold. Just add a couple of drops to a glass of warm water and place the jewelry in it for a couple of minutes. Then wipe with a soft cloth.
2. If the jewelry has lost its shine, you should rub it with a soft cloth.
3. Dissolve one tablespoon of sugar in a glass of warm water and leave the decoration overnight. In the morning it is washed with warm water. This will make the rings shinier and smoother.
4. If necessary, you can contact professionals who will carry out machine cleaning with a special device.

Gold is a precious metal that is distinguished by its beautiful appearance and shine. It will always be relevant throughout the world.

Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage

Jewelry made from black precious metal is quite durable. However, if used improperly, scratches and abrasions may remain on their surface, which will significantly damage the appearance of the products. I offer recommendations that will allow you to preserve your jewelry:

• It is better to remove jewelry during contact with water or physical activity;
• do not expose products to aggressive cleaning agents;
• store jewelry in cases, with small parts and links straightened, avoid creases;
• do not leave products for a long time in rooms with high humidity;
• Clean in soapy water and rub gold jewelry only with a soft cloth, suede, do not use brushes.

The influence of different metals in the alloy on the properties of the gold alloy

Silver makes the alloy more ductile and malleable. It also changes the shade of the alloy, making it whiter. If you add more than 30% silver, the shade of the yellow alloy will become noticeably lighter, and when the amount of silver increases to 65%, the gold will turn white. When copper , the alloy becomes harder, but its anti-corrosion properties are reduced. Copper also gives the alloy a reddish tint. Cadmium makes the alloy more easily melted. It also gives the alloy a greenish tint. Zinc gives the alloy properties similar to cadmium. It brightens the alloy, which is why it is used to make white gold. A small amount of zinc can also make the alloy slightly greener. Palladium makes the alloy more refractory, causing the heating temperature to increase. Thanks to this, the alloy becomes noticeably more ductile and lighter - palladium colors it white with a slight beige (flesh) tint. Nickel gives the gold alloy its hardness and changes the color of the alloy to pale yellow. Used as a component of white gold. Platinum bleaches gold more intensely than other alloys and increases its elasticity. Yellowness is lost when the alloy contains about 8% platinum. Nickel, platinum and palladium also give white gold alloys high anti-corrosion properties.