What Are My Gold Color Options?
As I watch the beautiful Fall leaves turn colors and swirl in the wind, it got me thinking of the various colors of gold.
Most of us grew up knowing that gold was yellow, so it can be a bit bewildering when jewelers talk about white gold or rose gold.
What does that mean exactly?
Gold Standard
Gold ALWAYS comes out of the ground yellow in color.
Gold is also soft, so other metals are added to make it strong enough to wear in jewelry. These other metals create an opportunity to change the overall metal color, thus creating white or rose!
How Are The Other Colors Made?
Traditional breakdown is as follows:
· White gold has nickel, palladium, & zinc. Many people are allergic to nickel, so many alloys contain very small amounts of it or none.
· Rose gold has a high percentage of copper with some silver mixed in as well
Things To Keep In Mind
White gold will never be bright white on its own. It is plated with a metal called rhodium to give it a clean, white look. The plating does come off with wear giving the metal a warmer appearance, but you can have it re-plated at your local repair shop.
Rose gold is a pretty pink color that has come into fashion in the past 15 years! It gives a piece a more romantic feel. There are certain gemstones, like Morganite, that look especially well in a rose gold setting.
Anything Weird?
I have seen purple, which I think is the weirdest, but that is very rare and designer specific.
When choosing a piece of jewelry, remember, it will need to be repaired one day. So, choosing a color jewelers have regular access to, like rose, white, or yellow, ensures you can have your ring sized, chains soldered, or prongs fixed in the future.
Historical Popularity
Over the years, each metal color has had its time in the spotlight.
Victorian era favored yellow and rose gold mixes, while Edwardian and Art Deco favored white gold (and platinum).
In the 80’s, Black Hills Gold was popular which was mix of rose, green, and yellow gold.
I recommend trying all the colors on to find the color or colors you like best! Who says you have to wear only one??
What Next?
I would love to help you find the perfect metal color! Angela Cisneros Jewelry Concierge brings back the joy and confidence of jewelry shopping so that you can celebrate with ease! My by-appointment approach means:
One-on-one appointments (personal attention and no crowds!)
Discretion and privacy (surprises remain surprises!)
Expert help from a Graduate Gemologist with 29 years of experience (yep, that’s me!)
Learn more about me and my process: www.AngelaCisneros.com
Book your FREE appointment with me today! www.AngelaCisneros.com/book-appointment
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