Gold Purity and Colors

Gold Purity and Colors

Gold is a naturally occurring precious metal known for its vibrant yellow hue, resistance to tarnish, oxidation, and rust. Its Latin name is "Aurum," with the chemical symbol AU. Widely used in applications ranging from minting coins to crafting jewelry and electronic devices, gold's inherent softness prevents it from being processed in its pure or "fine gold" form.

To make it suitable for jewelry production, gold is alloyed with other metals like copper, silver, or zinc. These combinations result in different colors and karats based on the type and proportion of metals used. In this article, you'll find answers to all your questions about the factors that determine gold’s value and characteristics, including its colors and karats.

Gold Colors

When used in jewelry making, gold is alloyed with elements such as copper, silver, and brass, resulting in four main types: yellow gold, white gold, green gold, and red (or rose) gold.

• Yellow Gold: Yellow is the natural color of gold. 24-karat gold, representing pure gold, retains this color and contains no additional metals.

• Green Gold: Green gold is an alloy composed of 75% gold and 25% silver. The amount of silver added is adjusted to enhance strength, durability, and heat resistance. Contrary to popular belief, what is commonly referred to as "yellow gold" in the jewelry industry is often green gold, especially in designer collections.

• White Gold: White gold is created by mixing gold with nickel or platinum. Initially, it has a dull, grayish color but achieves its signature bright white sheen through rhodium plating. To maintain its shine, proper care and handling are essential. Refer to our guide, "Jewelry Care and Maintenance," for tips on preserving the luster of your white gold pieces.

• Red (Rose) Gold: Also known as rose gold, red gold is created by alloying pure gold with silver and copper. With 0.6% silver and 19% copper, the reddish-pink hue comes from the copper content.

Jewelry manufacturers may add other metals, such as nickel, palladium, or tin, to gold alloys without exceeding set proportions. However, these additions do not alter the karat of the gold. Therefore, the color of gold does not affect its price. For instance, there is no price difference between 22-karat white gold and 22-karat rose gold.

Gold Karats

The karat of gold indicates its purity level. Since 100% pure gold is not found in nature, gold purity is measured starting from 24-karat gold, which has a fineness of 999.9 parts per thousand. Gold manufacturers must adhere to these purity ratios, meaning two pieces of gold with the same karat will contain an identical proportion of gold, regardless of the specific alloy composition. The table below outlines the karat system used in Turkey and the corresponding gold content:

Frequently Asked Questions

Which gold color is the most valuable?
The color of gold is determined by the type and proportion of metals alloyed with it. Since the gold content remains constant within the same karat, color does not affect value.

Is rose gold more expensive than white gold?
Rose gold and white gold of the same karat have the same value.

Is white gold more expensive than yellow gold?
What is commonly referred to as yellow gold in the market is often green gold in jewelry terms. There is no price difference between green gold and white gold of the same karat.

Does gold change color over time?
Gold, being a non-oxidizing element, does not change color over time. However, the rhodium plating on white gold may wear off, reducing its shine. Proper care can prevent this issue.