Gold jewelry isn’t limited to the classic yellow color. In fact, pure gold is always yellow, but mixing it with other metals creates a variety of golden hues. Today’s gold jewelry comes in many shades from traditional yellow gold to stylish white gold, warm rose gold, and even exotic green, blue, purple, or black gold.
Each shade has its own character and appeal, so understanding the differences will help you pick the perfect gold for your style.
Different Shades of Gold
Here are a few stunning shades of gold created by mixing pure gold with other metals. Even, if you are looking to buy or sell gold near you, knowing the different types of gold can help you make more informed and confident choices.
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is what most people think of first. It has a warm, rich yellow hue that comes from alloying pure gold with metals like copper and silver. Do you know that all gold starts out yellow, and the required shade can be adjusted depending on the alloys? Just because pure 24K gold is too soft for everyday jewelry, it’s usually alloyed down to 10K–18K to make it more durable.
Yellow gold’s sunny color is timeless, and you can call it the most classic option in jewelry. It also doesn’t require plating. Plus, it is hypoallergenic making it easy to wear and care for.
White Gold
White gold has a cool, silvery-white appearance that’s often compared to platinum. It’s made by mixing gold with white metals such as nickel, palladium, or silver. These alloys give white gold its bright color, and jewelers usually plate it with rhodium for extra shine and to maintain the icy finish.
This gives white gold engagement rings and necklaces a high-polish, modern look. Due to its neutral tone, white gold pairs beautifully with diamonds.
In terms of durability, white gold (especially 14K or 18K) is sturdy for everyday wear. Just remember that its rhodium plating may wear off over time and need periodic re-plating to keep it looking its whitest.
Rose Gold
It is a romantic pink shade of gold or a warm coppery hue. This romantic color comes from adding copper to gold. The more copper in the alloy, the redder the gold appears. 18K rose gold is about 75% gold and 25% copper, giving a reddish-pink glow.
Rose gold has become very popular in fashion and bridal jewelry for its vintage feel and many people appreciate its friendly, rosy shine.
An interesting note: Rose gold was used in jewelry as far back as Faberge’s Russian imperial eggs in the 19th century, giving it an old-world charm. The copper content also makes rose gold slightly harder than pure yellow gold. So, it’s more durable for daily wear.
Other Unusual & Unique Gold Shades
Jewelers have developed some unusual gold colors by mixing gold with less common metals. Here are a few:
- Green gold, often called electrum, is made by adding silver (and sometimes zinc) to gold, resulting in a pale greenish-yellow tone. Remarkably, electrum was used in ancient coins and artifacts for its unique color.
- Blue gold is created by alloying gold with metals like indium or gallium or historically with arsenic or iron. It gives a subtle blue-grey tint.
- Purple gold is a brittle alloy of gold and aluminum (about 75% gold, 25% aluminum) with a vivid violet hue.
- Black gold is a dark finish achieved by special alloys like gold with cobalt or surface treatments like black rhodium plating. These rare colors are mostly seen in high-fashion or custom designs, offering bold, eye-catching styles.
Gold Purity (Karat) and Hue
The karat of gold measures its purity and affects color depth. 24K gold is nearly pure gold and has the richest yellow color. Lower karats contain more alloy metals and appear lighter. For instance, 18K gold is 75% pure and shows a deeper yellow than 14K (58% pure).
This principle holds for all colors of gold: an 18K white or rose gold piece will generally be more intensely colored and more expensive than a 14K version.
Most jewelry provides a balance like 14K or 18K is common because it offers a good combination of color, durability, and affordability. In short, higher karats = richer hue and higher price, while lower karats = paler tone but stronger metal.
How to Choose the Right Gold Shade?
There is no single ‘best’ shade of gold! It all comes down to personal taste and style. Think about your wardrobe.
You need to consider your wardrobe colors: yellow and rose gold pair well with earth tones and reds, whereas white gold complements blues, blacks, and cool palettes.
I hope now you understand well and make a suitable choice!
FAQs
Is Colored Gold Real?
Yes, colored gold is real gold. Different colors like white, rose, green, or black are created by mixing pure gold with other metals (called alloys). Though the color changes, the gold content remains genuine.
Does the karat affect the gold color?
Yes, higher karat gold like 18K or 22K has a deep and rich color because it contains more pure gold. Lower karats like 10K or 14K appear lighter and are more durable.
What are the different shades of gold used in jewelry?
The most common gold shades are yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, which are usually used in jewelry.
