Gold jewellery is rarely made of pure gold. Instead, it is created as an alloy—gold blended with other metals like silver, copper, zinc, palladium, and nickel. The combination of these metals changes the colour, durability, and overall look of gold. Among the most popular gold colours are yellow, white, rose, and green, but there are also several rare and unique varieties.
Yellow gold is made by mixing pure gold with copper, silver, and zinc. It is considered the most natural-looking gold, highly hypoallergenic, and requires very little maintenance.
White gold is crafted by combining gold with palladium, nickel, zinc, or sometimes platinum. It is stronger and more resistant to scratches than yellow gold and comes at a lower cost compared to platinum, making it a popular choice for modern jewellery.
Rose gold, also known as pink gold, is created by alloying gold with copper and silver. The copper content not only gives it the signature rosy colour but also makes it more durable than both yellow and white gold. It is also more budget-friendly due to copper being less expensive.
Green gold is made by mixing gold with silver (and sometimes copper). The result is a natural greenish-yellow shade, giving it a unique and earthy appearance.
Grey gold is usually created by blending gold with palladium in an 18-karat composition. Alternatively, a mix of manganese, silver, and copper can also be used as a cost-effective option.
Spangold is a special type of gold-copper alloy treated with high heat and rapid cooling. This process produces a sparkling surface with tiny light-reflecting facets. Typically, it contains 76.5% gold, 19% copper, and 5% aluminium, which creates a yellow shade. Increasing the aluminium to 6% turns it pink.
Purple gold contains around 79% gold and a high amount of aluminium. It is more brittle than other types and is often cut and polished like a gemstone rather than used as a base metal in jewellery.
Blue gold is formed by mixing gold with indium or gallium. For example, a gold-indium alloy is made up of 46% gold and 54% indium, giving it its distinct bluish tone.
Black gold is created using alloys with cobalt, titanium, or iron. For example, a mix of 75% gold and 25% cobalt develops a black oxide layer, giving it its dark, striking appearance. While it is sometimes used in jewellery, black gold is also valued for industrial and technical applications.
Different jewellery pieces may look similar at first glance, but their quality and price vary based on how they are made.
This is the most affordable type. A thin layer of gold (less than 0.05%) is electroplated onto a base metal such as brass or copper. However, the gold layer can fade or tarnish over time.
Gold-filled jewellery is made by mechanically bonding a thick layer of gold onto a base metal, often jeweller’s brass. It contains almost 100 times more gold than gold-plated jewellery, making it more durable and longer-lasting.
Gold vermeil uses sterling silver as the base metal, coated with a thick gold layer through electroplating. Authentic vermeil has at least 2.5 microns of gold. It is more valuable than gold-plated pieces and often compared with gold-filled jewellery, though the manufacturing methods differ.
Solid gold means the piece is made entirely of gold with no base metal. It is available in different karats, from 10K to 24K, where higher karats represent greater purity, value, and softness.
Gold is not just a precious metal but also a timeless expression of beauty and value. With so many colours and types—from classic yellow and white to rare varieties like blue, purple, and black—each has its own charm and meaning. Knowing these differences helps you choose jewellery that suits your personal style and investment needs.
If you’re looking for the finest designs and trusted purity, visit Kota Gold, a leading Gold shop in Coimbatore. From traditional to contemporary collections, we offer gold and diamond jewellery that combines elegance, craftsmanship, and lasting value.