Different Colors of Gold: Learn About The Luxuries Shades Of Gold

Gold, the ruler among metals, has enchanted humankind for thousands of years with its eternal splendor and global attraction. However, you may not know about the different types of gold color (yellow, white, rose, green, blue, and even black). Collectively, they possess tales to tell, dictated by their history, constitution, and the alloys that bestow them with vibrancy.

In this post, we will look into the interesting kinds of gold and its different types based on colors, histories, compositions, and usages. We will reveal the secrets of each gold color alloying process—weighing their pros and cons and even breaking down their price points so you can determine their value.

Table of Contents

• Yellow Color of Gold
• White Color of Gold
• Rose Color of Gold
• Green Color of Gold
• Blue Color Of Gold
• Purple Color of Gold
• Black Color Of Gold
• Conclusion: Different Types of Gold Color
• FAQs: Different Color Of Gold

colors regardless of what you are, a jewelry expert, a future jewelry designer, or just a jewelry enthusiast, this guide is written for everyone with a sense of providing knowledge. So, buckle up for an article filled with intriguing facts, practical knowledge, and maybe a sprinkle of sparkle that will leave you shining with newfound expertise. Let's dive in and discover how gold isn’t just about shine—it’s about shades and colors too.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold color is the purest and most traditional gold color, serving as the foundation for all other gold hues. For centuries, it has symbolized wealth and royalty in various cultures worldwide, showcasing its timeless appeal and cultural significance.

Composition of Yellow color of Gold

24K Gold: Has pure gold at 99.9% purity and no alloying metals are added, which makes it soft and bright yellow.

22 K Gold: Has 91.7% gold, which is alloyed with 5–6% silver and 2–3% copper for sturdiness.

18K Gold: Has 75% gold, combined with 12.5% silver and copper (with an equal mass portion) to create a harder product.

Uses

Commonly known for use in wedding bands, necklaces, and ornamental jewelry.

Benefits of Yellow Gold

• It reflects a charm, which makes it the perfect choice for those who want to show luxury and sophistication.
• Because it is largely free of nickel (a common allergy-inducing metal found in other gold alloys), pure yellow gold has a lower risk of allergens.
• It is relatively durable, especially in lower-karat forms (e.g., 14K or 18K), and doesn’t tarnish easily.
• It’s easy to maintain and doesn't require much attention, unlike white gold, which needs rhodium plating. 

Disadvantages of Yellow Gold

• For example, very high-karat yellow gold (such as 22K or 24K) can be quite soft and may not hold up well for intricate designs, which tend to scratch easily.
• It is resistant to tarnishing but will lose its luster over time with no polish.
• Many consider yellow gold less versatile to wear with modern styles than white and rose gold.

Yellow Gold Price

Due to the purity of yellow gold, it is one of the most costly types of gold. The purest of gold is 24K (not used in jewelry), then the next best, and so on, which cost more than other % purities, but 18K and even more notably 22K also hold a massive amount of value. Although prices are subject to global gold markets and purity.

White Gold

White gold color gained popularity in the 1920s due to its platinum-like appearance, making it a sought-after alternative to platinum. It has managed to maintain its reputable image even amidst the wide array of colors available for modern jewelry pieces.

Composition of White Color Of Gold

18K White Gold has 75% gold alloyed with nickel, palladium, or silver.

14K White Gold has 58.3% gold, with the remainder being white metals.

Rhodium Plating:

A rhodium plating is done on the white gold to provide that extra shine, but it requires a periodic touch-up to sustain luster.

Uses

 A preferred choice for engagement rings and other contemporary designs.

Benefits of White Gold

• It has a gorgeous, modern look that is popular in engagement rings and wedding bands.
• White gold tends to be more durable than yellow gold, thanks to the inclusion of robust metals like nickel or palladium in its alloy composition. These metals enhance their strength and resistance to wear.
• It complements diamonds and other gemstones to increase their brightness and give them a high-end appearance.
• When rhodium-plated, it provides an even brighter shine, and scratches are less visible on its surface.

Disadvantages

• Rhodium plating provides a brilliant finish to white gold but tends to wear off over time, requiring regular re-plating to maintain its lustrous appearance.
• Some of its alloys contain nickel, which may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
• It tends to be pricier due to the additional rhodium plating and the cost of palladium or platinum used in the alloy.

White Gold Price

White gold's price is slightly lower than yellow gold. Palladium-based white gold costs more than nickel-based varieties, with rhodium plating adding to the expense.

Rose Gold 

Rose gold, known as pink gold, came to the forefront in the 19th century when it was used in Russia and became a sign of luxury. Today it stands with yellow gold as one of the most utilized materials throughout all jewelry.

Composition of Rose Color of Gold

The composition of 18K rose gold has 75% gold, 22.25% copper, and 2.75% silver.

14K rose gold has 58.3% gold, 39% copper, and 2.7% silver.

Uses of Rose Gold

Often used in jewelry with a romantic context, for example, wedding and engagement rings.

Benefits of Rose Gold

• Perfect for engagement rings (and all sentimental jewelry). Rose gold exudes warmth, romance, and a vintage reverberation.
• The use of copper alloy in rose gold gives it slightly additional strength that makes it superior (in durability purposes) to other types of gold, specifically 14K and 18K ones.
• The pinkish shade is gorgeous on every skin and provides a special eye-catching appearance.
• Rose gold requires no rhodium plating (as white gold does), nor will its color fade over time.

Disadvantages:

• In the case of higher-karat versions, it also involves the copper in rose gold, often oxidizing and tarnishing.
• The unique color may not be for everyone, and some wearers prefer a more neutral or classic look.
• Rose gold with a high karat (such as 22K) can be very soft and scratch easily.

Rose Gold Price

Yellow and white gold are usually more expensive than rose gold. Rose gold—which is an alloy of gold and copper—is more affordable due to the low cost of the copper; however, with higher karat weights such as 18K, rose gold can be close in pricing to that of white gold.

Green Gold

You might be surprised to learn that green gold, also known as electrum, was historically used in artifacts and currency because of its unique greenish hue.

Composition of Green Color of Gold

18K Green Gold has 75% gold and 25% silver.

14K Green Gold has 58.3% gold, alloyed with silver and zinc.

Uses of Green Gold

A rarity in mainstream jewelry but sought after in bespoke and artisan designs.

Benefits of Green Gold

• Green gold has a distinct, earthy tone, which is uncommon and appreciated for its rarity in jewelry.
• As it contains more silver than other types of gold, it often has a more sustainable production process compared to traditional gold alloys.
• The silver content gives green gold a good level of strength and resilience, making it suitable for wearable jewelry pieces.
• Electrum (green gold) is generally more affordable than high-karat gold types, offering good value for its unique appearance.

Disadvantages:

• Due to its unique color, green gold is not as widely accepted in mainstream jewelry markets, limiting its appeal.
• The higher silver content in green gold makes it more prone to tarnishing over time, requiring regular polishing.
• It’s not as commonly available as yellow, white, or rose gold, and finding specific designs in green gold can be challenging.

Green Gold Price

Because of its rarity, green gold is placed at a premium price, especially for custom-made designs.

Blue Gold

This gold is unique in itself because it is created by using advanced alloying metallurgical processes, through which gold is mixed with metals like indium or gallium. This results in a gold alloy with a bluish hue.

Composition of Blue Color of Gold

18K Blue Gold has 75% gold alloyed with 25% indium or small amounts of iron.

Surface oxidation creates its characteristic blue hue, which is brittle.

What Is Surface Oxidation

Surface oxidation in the context of blue gold refers to a process where the outer layer of the gold alloy reacts with oxygen in the air, causing a thin oxide layer to form on the surface. 

This oxidation gives blue gold its distinctive bluish tint. In blue gold, the oxidation is typically controlled by specific alloying metals, such as indium or gallium, which interact with oxygen to create this unique color effect without compromising the overall durability of the piece.

Uses:

Favored for statement pieces in avant-garde jewelry.

Benefits of Blue Gold

• Blue gold is highly sought after for its extraordinary and striking color, making it ideal for collectors and those seeking something truly rare.
• Blue gold, created through a special process of alloying gold with indium, is relatively durable, offering an appealing balance of beauty and strength.
• Since it’s made with non-nickel alloys, blue gold is a good option for people with sensitive skin.

Disadvantages:

• Blue gold is one of the rarest forms of gold and can be very hard to find.
• Due to its rarity, blue gold can come with a hefty price tag.
• It is harder to work with compared to more traditional gold alloys, which makes custom blue gold pieces expensive to produce.

Blue Gold Price:

Blue gold is among the most expensive due to its rarity and the complex production process.

Purple Gold

It comes by alloying pure gold with aluminum. Ultimately, this gives a beautiful purple color that just cannot be done by surface modification of gold. While it has metallic properties, the alloy is fairly brittle compared to standard gold, which makes it suitably difficult to form.

Composition of Purple Color of Gold

Purple gold is a synthesized alloy containing aluminum in specific ratios to give the purple shade when mixed with gold (approximately 75% gold and 25% aluminum, though different ratios are usually used to achieve stronger shades of violet color).

Uses of Purple Gold

Purple gold is mostly used exclusively in the finest jewelry, often as custom-made jewelry including engagement rings, necklaces, and luxury watches.

Benefits of Purple Gold

• Provides a unique, deep hue that is so much different from the more common yellow and white gold.
• Purple gold exudes luxury and sophistication.
• Purple gold is more durable than 100% pure gold because the mixing of aluminum into the alloy increases its hardness.

Disadvantages of Purple Gold

• Purple gold is not as flexible as yellow or white gold (because of the aluminum in the alloy), so it can crack and chip if dropped, making purple gold brittle.
• It is not a commonly available material and is therefore harder to locate for anyone in search of it.

Purple Gold Price

Purple gold tends to be more expensive than regular gold because this alloy is not so common and the alloying process is quite complicated.  Pricing can fluctuate wildly according to design and refinement, but it's usually much pricier compared with yellow or white gold.

Black Gold

Black Gold is very unique and hard to achieve; in order to have that, manufacturers tend to go through advanced surface treatment.

What are Surface Treatments for Black Gold?

Various advanced techniques are being used to produce black gold, like

• Rhodium Plating
• Oxidation
• Metal Coating (PVD)
• Anodization
• Laser Treatment
• Composition of Black Gold

Uses:

High-fashion jewelry that screams modern and bold designs specifically for men’s jewelry.

Benefits of Black Gold

• Provides a modern, punk look suitable for statement jewelry.
• Rhodium and cobalt treatments enhance resistance to scratches, as well as the overall hardness of the ring.
• Black gold, which does not tarnish due to its rhodium plating, thus affords a longer period of enjoyment of the dark color.

Disadvantages:

• Treatment or special alloying raises the cost.
• Less accessible compared to traditional forms of gold.
• The black finish may fade with prolonged exposure to chemicals or wear.
• Due to the complicated nature of the composite, this type of gold is harder to resize.

Black Gold Price

Producing black gold requires specific techniques that make it exclusive and therefore fetch a high price.

Conclusion: Different Types of Gold Color

Gold is not just a precious metal; it's also a concept that embodies a range of colors, each with its own unique story. From the classic, vintage appeal of yellow gold to the sleek, modern look of white gold, and even the striking, bold shades of blue and black gold, each variation offers something distinct. These colors are achieved by mixing gold with various alloys in different proportions, creating a wide variety of hues. While each gold color type differs in appearance and composition, all of them are equally captivating, making them perfect choices for exquisite jewelry pieces.

FAQs: Different colors of Gold

What are the different colors of Gold?

There exist a few colors, which are made by mixing pure gold with other metals:
Yellow gold: The traditional gold color, mixed from silver and copper.
White gold: A silvery color, created by alloying gold with palladium, nickel, or platinum.
Rose gold: Contains a reddish hue, mixed from gold with a higher percentage of copper.
Green gold: A pale greenish color, created by mixing gold with silver or cadmium.
Black gold: Obtained through surface treatments, such as patination or alloying with cobalt.

What color is 100 percent pure gold?

Pure gold is rich, bright yellow in color. It is by nature soft and shiny and thus not the same as alloyed forms.

How many types of gold are there?

Gold is categorized by its purity and color:

• By purity: 24K (pure gold), 22K, 18K, 14K, 10K.
• By color: Yellow, white, rose, green, and black gold.

Is black gold real?

Yes, black gold is real, although not natural. Instead, it is made through alloying, oxidation, or plating techniques.

What is the most pricey gold?

Pure alloy 24K gold is the most expensive simply because it contains the highest amount of gold and is also pure. Alloyed gold's price differs on the metal that may have been mixed with it.