Why do gold have different colors? Is one more precious than the other?
HOW ARE DIFFERENT COLORS OF GOLD CREATED?
Pure gold is just “gold” or yellow in color. The color of gold is determined by the type of metal added to the initial pure gold to create the desired shade and materials. That’s why you can have three pieces of gold jewelry, each with a 18k gold stamp, but are of three entirely different shades of gold.
Although 18K yellow gold, rose gold and white gold have 75% pure gold, the difference in their added metals composition results in different colors.
>> What do 14k, 18k, 24k gold mean?
Gold of different shades will have pretty similar monetary value if their gold content is the same (for eg. both are 18K). Therefore, choice of color often boil down to preference.
The most popular shades of gold are yellow gold, white gold and rose (pink) gold. Others that you might come across are green gold, grey gold, blue gold, black gold and purple gold.
WHAT IS WHITE GOLD?
White gold is the alloy of yellow gold and a white metal such as nickel or palladium, that is overlayed with rhodium.
Rhodium is one of the rarest and most valuable precious metals. It does not corrode or oxidize. Rhodium is about 8 times more expensive than gold. It is white in color, and thus Rhodium is what makes white gold white.
Composition:
| 18K white gold | 14K white gold |
| 75% gold | 59% gold |
| 10% palladium | 25.5% copper |
| 10% nickel | 12.3% nickel |
| 5% zinc | 3.2% zinc |
WHAT IS ROSE GOLD?
Our Handwriting Necklace - Heart Charm
Rose gold, red gold and pink gold are gold with a pinkish tint to them. They are alloy of gold and copper, with some silver added to lighten the redness. The more copper used, the stronger the pink tint.
| 18K Red Gold | 18K Rose Gold | 18K Pink Gold |
| 75% gold | 75% gold | 75% gold |
| 25% copper | 22.5% copper | 20% copper |
| 2.75% silver | 5% silver |
WHAT IS GREEN GOLD, GREY GOLD, BLUE GOLD, PURPLE GOLD, BLACK GOLD... WHAT?
These following shades of gold are very uncommon, but you might just want to know that they exist:
Green gold = gold + silver + cadmium (at least 14k)
Grey gold = gold, silver, manganese and copper
Blue gold = gold + indium (about 12k)
Purple gold = gold + a special type of aluminum (AuAl2) (about 18k)
Black gold = gold electroplated with black rhodium or ruthenium
IS ONE GOLD COLOR MORE VALUABLE THAN THE OTHER?
The answer is technically no. The purity of the gold, and not its color, affects a gold piece’s value. Yellow, white and rose gold are similarly priced if they contain the same percentage of pure gold. Therefore, you should make your purchase decision based on your preference and occasion.
>> How to care for gold-plated jewelry
SHOP OUR RANGE OF 18K GOLD PLATED JEWELRY
From Left to Right, Top to Bottom: Initial Clover Bracelet - Family Birth Flower Ring - Baby Footprint Necklace - Dangle Initial Tag Earrings
In my next post, I will explain the differences between between solid gold, gold plated, gold filled and gold vermeil jewelry. If you are buying gold jewelry and have any other question, just leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to answer them.