It is becoming increasingly difficult for jewelry masters to surprise modern consumers with new items made from precious metals. Traditional red gold items have become commonplace rather than decorations for special occasions. The exception is lemon gold, about which not much is known. This is a unique alloy, the citrus color of which is obtained by adding certain alloys to its composition. To purchase real jewelry of a non-traditional color for gold, you need to know its features and be able to distinguish the original from the fake.
Composition and properties
Jewelry manufacturers use an alloy obtained industrially. Lemon metal is very close in its characteristics to the traditional gold alloy and has similar advantages. It is resistant to oxidation, plastic, and lends itself well to processing: casting, forging, soldering.
Strength
Although the strength of gold alloys is usually achieved through copper, the lemon grade has sufficient hardness that it can be used in the manufacture of precious jewelry for everyday wear.
Shade range
In addition to dim lemon, there are alloys of rich green and olive colors. To obtain a similar effect, potassium, cadmium, palladium and zinc can act as ligature components. However, alloys with cadmium, zinc and palladium are extremely fragile and impractical, and cadmium is also toxic, so such jewelry is not in danger of becoming widely popular.
Try
A high-quality alloy with a lemon tint has a 585 standard. Products with a higher gold content and silver in the alloy will be light yellow, and the addition of copper will give them a pinkish, but not lemon, tint.
Expert opinion
Vsevolod Kozlovsky
6 years in jewelry making. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds
Low grade gold has an orange and reddish color even with a significant predominance of silver in the alloy and also does not give a subtle lemon tint.
Methods for obtaining lemon-colored gold
To give gold an exquisite color, silver must be included in the composition in sufficient quantities. Most often, alloys are added in proportions of 29-30% silver, 10-12% copper and 51-58% gold. Each manufacturing company can change the percentage of additives at its discretion, but in any case, Argentum should be in second place after Aurum.
What does lemon gold look like?
It is very rare to find 750 or 18 karat lemon gold on the jewelry market. This is a precious metal of fairly high quality, jewelry from which is not intended for regular wear. Everyday wear, especially not very gentle wear, can ruin the product, depriving it of its original appearance. Another distinctive feature of this material is its shade, which is closer to natural yellow than lemon. This should be taken into account when purchasing, when they try to sell a high-quality product at a reduced price.
How to distinguish from other metals
Such decorations are less familiar to us and are less common. To avoid becoming the owner of a fake, I recommend purchasing products from trusted dealers. If you decide to buy jewelry secondhand, be careful.
There are several ways to check the jewelry yourself: using a magnet (precious metals do not react to it), or assessing the shine of the metal in the sun and in the shade (gold glitters in the shade).
A rational approach is to involve an expert who can accurately recognize a fake and protect you from buying a low-quality item.
What it is
Gypsy gold is not a precious metal , as it is a cheap alloy. The composition of gypsy gold (also called “randol alloy”) includes copper and beryllium, and therefore cannot be called a noble metal. The correct name for this material is beryllium bronze .
Another variety is tombak , consisting of copper and zinc. In past centuries, this was a sought-after material. It was invented back in the 17th century and became widespread throughout the world.
It is noteworthy that already in those days, scammers passed off coins and jewelry made from this alloy for gold
Depending on the zinc content, the alloy changes color from yellow to red. Externally, it is almost impossible to distinguish it from gold. It has anti-corrosion properties, ductility, and wear resistance. It can be easily forged, engraved, and gilded, so it was in demand in the samovar making industry.
As for the combination of copper and beryllium, it is a material with good technical characteristics, so the legal uses of randoli are varied. Beryllium bronze has a unique feature: while other alloys “age” and wear out over time, this does not happen with this material.
Randol is widely used, for example, in the production of aircraft, in the automotive industry and other industries. The alloy is resistant to heat, wear-resistant, does not deform, and is resistant to corrosion. In addition, beryllium bronze has properties that make it suitable for making decorative items, accessories (for example, watch bracelets), and knife blades. They make jewelry from it because it has a beautiful color and is malleable for various types of processing. However, over time it oxidizes and loses its shine.
Combination with stones and other jewelry
Experts do not recommend combining such jewelry with things made of silver or gold of other alloys, but choosing accessories made from the same type of noble metal.
Lemon gold combines amazingly with precious stones and pearls, especially when the color scheme is harmoniously chosen, as you can see by looking at the photo.
Scope of application
The main niche for lemon gold is jewelry production. Moreover, there are no restrictions regarding the assortment. The alloy is suitable for making earrings, pendants and bracelets for every day. It makes chic wedding rings and evening sets. The strength of the metal allows you to fantasize about the design of products, their shape and size.
The delicate yellowish-green shade of jewelry in itself is quite independent, but in tandem with precious and semi-precious stones, its true beauty is revealed. Most often, sapphires, emeralds, diamonds, garnets and even pearls are chosen for inlay.
Where can you buy or sell
Such products are popular abroad, and connoisseurs often bring them back from trips abroad, but there is a high probability of purchasing an alloy of insufficient quality or containing harmful impurities. Lemon-gold jewelry is increasingly appearing on the shelves of Russian jewelry houses.
If there is a need to sell such jewelry, then it will be accepted at your pawn shop or purchase at a price corresponding to the standard, regardless of the color of the gold.
How much does 1 gram of such gold cost today?
Gold is actively traded on the stock exchange as a currency and a commodity at the same time, so its price changes daily. The cost of gold will be calculated taking into account its purity: 58.5% of the cost of a gram of pure metal. It is convenient to monitor gold quotes using the online chart posted on our website.
The table shows current prices for precious metals 24/7.
| Price 999 standard according to the Central Bank | Market value of the sample today | Scrap price | Price in jewelry |
Selection criteria when purchasing
The first rule that the buyer must remember is that all high-quality jewelry should be purchased only in specialized stores with a well-known name. This guarantees their originality, which will be confirmed by certificates.
Another criterion is the price of the products. Lemon gold is equivalent to the traditional yellow precious metal. If there are earrings or rings on the counter at a suspiciously low price, it means that the seller is probably slipping a fake.
When choosing lemon gold, you need to pay attention to the appearance and markings
When purchasing products, you should pay attention to their appearance and labeling. A genuine product should not have even a hint of a flaw or imperfection in its lines. In addition, the tag should contain information about the manufacturer, the amount of gold content in the alloy, weight per gram and other important data.
Before purchasing, you must check all documentation related to the jewelry work. This will protect you from buying a fake. If some documents are missing, then such a product is not worth purchasing.
When buying jewelry is a large investment, it is better not to take risks and use the services of a specialist. By taking a professional with you to the salon who can immediately distinguish an original from a fake, you can significantly reduce the risk of a failed investment.
Regarding the acquisition of lemon gold outside the domestic space, you should know some of the features of valuing precious metals. In European countries, the authenticity of gold is measured in the karat system, in which one kilogram of pure metal is equal to 24 carats. As for the quality of foreign gold made in Russia, its quality and functional indicators are in no way inferior to the metal that is sold on the foreign jewelry market.
Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage
Jewelry made from precious metals is quite unpretentious, but still requires certain conditions: such things must be stored in dark, dry places, separately, preferably in special cases or covers.
Gold is practically not subject to oxidation, but needs to be cleaned from contamination. If necessary, soak the items for several hours in aqueous solutions of dishwashing detergent, hydrogen peroxide or ammonia. Afterwards, the jewelry should be rinsed under running water and wiped dry with a napkin.
For more thorough care, you can purchase specialized liquids for cleaning and polishing precious alloys in jewelry and hardware stores.
Before cleaning or using cosmetics, it is recommended to remove jewelry to avoid interaction with aggressive substances and prevent possible oxidation.
Price
Prices for the alloy are practically no different from yellow gold. This is usually 585 or 12 carat metal. Foreign boutiques sell both traditional and lemon gold equally.
Any buyer should have at least minimal knowledge about gold pricing. A lemon-colored alloy in an amount of one gram will cost approximately 3 thousand rubles. If the products were produced in Turkey, China or Italy, then their cost should be higher and this should also be taken into account.
Reviews
Eugene:
He gave his wife a bracelet made of such a precious metal, she has been wearing it for several years now and loves it, although few people recognize it as a gold item.
Hope:
I bought a ring, now it’s lying idle, it doesn’t look good with other jewelry, I can’t buy new things for the set, and it’s gathering dust in the box. I hope that I will get earrings again, and then I will definitely wear them.
Margo:
My husband gave me a ring, I took it to the pawnshop, it’s unusual for me, the strong association with jewelry, somehow I’m closer to traditional jewelry.
Description
The most common type is 585 lemon gold, shown in the photo. To make this material use:
- 58.5% pure gold.
- 30% silver additives.
- 11.5% copper.
If you add more copper, the result is a green metal. Very rarely there is lemon-colored gold of 375 and 500 samples. But there are no products made from precious metals of 750 and 999 purity in the shade of citrus. The 999 grade material is very soft and easily deformable. Products from it are produced only by Japanese jewelers for their compatriots. Due to their fragility and fragility, such jewelry is worn several times in a lifetime for the most important celebrations.
Characteristic
Most often, products are produced in 585 standard. Such an alloy will contain 58.5% gold, 29-30% silver and no more than 13% copper. Increasing the amount of copper will give the jewelry a greenish tint. 585 standard corresponds to 14 carats in imported jewelry.
Less common are the 500th or 375th samples (12 and 9 carats, respectively).
But jewelry of 750 standard (18 carats) of this type is not produced. That's what jewelers say, at least. Jewelry made from high-quality gold produces a completely different shade.
A lemon-colored precious metal of a higher standard (999) also does not exist in nature. Aurum without impurities is characterized by softness, plasticity, and is easily deformed. Jewelry made from it is valued only in Japan. They are worn for celebrations several times in life: weddings, anniversaries, etc.
But jewelry made from 585 sterling alloy in a lemon shade is suitable for both holidays and everyday life.
Lemon gold is usually given as a gift for a wedding or engagement. Wedding rings have a spectacular look and are suitable as a gift for the bride, as well as for a birthday.
Jewelry of this type is practical, suitable for wearing every day and, unlike low-quality fakes, will not fade over time. They do not leave scratches or dents.
Rings and chains from Italy and Turkey are not suitable for everyday wear. The alloys are made using completely different technologies, and accessories made from it are, as a rule, softer than Russian-made analogues.
Looking for differences
Not everyone knows how to distinguish 585 lemon gold from other varieties of precious metal. Of course, the very first, obvious sign visible to the naked eye is an unusual color. The next sign is a stamp on the back of the product, which indicates the percentage of gold and additives. If after gold the majority of the composition is occupied by platinum, this indicates the strength and long-term use of the chain, ring or earrings. The fewer all kinds of additives, the higher the purity of lemon gold.
The most expensive is considered to be the 750 gold citrus color. It has a rich color, which is explained by the high content of pure gold per gram of metal. The percentage of silver in impurities is low. This composition is determined by international standards, which are accepted as the basis in jewelry. But it is impossible to distinguish by eye, without special equipment, an exact sample of this product.
Manufacturers often add nickel and zinc to the composition of 585-carat lemon gold. However, nickel causes frequent allergic reactions, and therefore its percentage in any piece of jewelry should be extremely minimal.
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When it comes to precious metal, you need to be careful to ensure that it is the genuine article and not a cheap alloy. One example is gypsy gold. What it is? Is it really a precious metal?
Fashion trends
An interesting phenomenon in jewelry is the emergence of fashion trends. Since the jewelry industry is stable and practically unaffected by fashion trends, any innovations quickly become classics. For example, quite recently craftsmen began to use a combined option involving the use of several types of gold in one product. Today, this technique is considered a classic.
Gold earrings
Composite metal is very popular in wedding rings. The Cartier jewelry house used this technology to create the Trinity ring.
The product is created from three different types of gold:
- White symbolizing friendship.
- Yellow, as a symbol of fidelity.
- Pink symbol of love.
No less delightful is the ring that combines lemon and white stripes, which we see in the photo. Traditionally, wedding rings are not decorated with stones. But if the couple has a desire, jewelers can decorate the item with a beautiful diamond.
