How to distinguish gold from gilding and fake
According to data presented by the Guild of Jewelers, more than 40% of jewelry on the Russian market is counterfeit. Some items are made of “false gold”; others are replete with fake gemstones.
Today, “fake” precious metal is presented in two different guises: in the form of a jewelry alloy, which is coated with gold, or in the form of an alloy with insufficient gold content - the so-called interlock.
It is quite difficult to distinguish the intercork, which contains up to 30% gold, from natural precious metal. However, it is still possible.
Methods of applying gold plating to jewelry
Very often, vintage and antique jewelry is marked: Gold plated, Gold filled, Gold soldered . People ignorant in this area make a colossal mistake when all these concepts are translated as “gilding.” In fact, there is a big difference in these methods of gilding jewelry.
Gold Plated is the most common method of gilding.
GP is an electroplating coating that deposits a thin layer of gold on the product, not exceeding a few microns in thickness. There is no single standard regulating the percentage of gold that should be included in jewelry with the GP mark. If the manufacturer is conscientious, he will apply several layers of gold plating; otherwise, the jewelry will be of the lowest quality.
Gold Plated products cannot be worn on the body, as a chemical reaction is possible when combined with sweat, which will spoil the appearance of the fittings.
Gold filled is a more expensive coating that is used to create jewelry that falls into the fine jewelry category. The golden layer is created by rolling.
Rapid heating of the precious filler together with a base metal substrate in an airless space at a maximum temperature of 900 degrees and compression by hydraulic pressure makes it possible to create a gold coating up to 8-10 microns thick. All GF jewelry has special designations that allow you to understand the percentage of gold in the alloy. For example, 14K/20 GF.
The abbreviation GF stands for gilding method. 14K is the designation of gold that was used in the manufacturing process of the product (in this case we are talking about 14 karat gold). “20” - indicates the percentage of the alloy to the total weight of the jewelry (1/20 share, that is, 5%).
Gold soldered - tinning of gold in tin-lead solder. In this case, the gold plating layer reaches 15-17 microns. Due to this, the thickness of the gold plating is reduced, which affects the high cost of making jewelry. This method involves the use of gold of any standard.
Detecting counterfeit and gilding
The question of how to distinguish gold from a fake is one of the most popular on specialized websites. Today, there are several basic methods that will help identify the distinctive features of a precious metal from a base one.
1.
We check the gold sample. Each state determines its own hallmark and hallmark standards. That is why, when examining jewelry, you can come across various samples. The main difference between the gold hallmark is the unique shape of the blade.
Modern and Soviet samples of samples and stamps are presented in the figure.
2. Check the condition of the jewelry. One of the tricks of gold jewelry manufacturers is to send certain parts of the item, for example, the clasp of earrings, for quality control and marking.
When purchasing, you need to inspect the surface of the product - the presence of scratches may indicate a fake or gilding.
3. We check the quality of the metal. To do this, you should purchase a lapis pencil at the pharmacy, which contains silver nitrate, moisten the product and apply the solution to the surface.
If the place turns black, then we can safely say that the jewelry is made of an alloy and not of gold.
4. Another way to distinguish gold from gilding is to heat the product over low heat to a temperature of 300 degrees, after which it is quickly cooled. If rainbow stains appear, then the jewelry is made of an alloy with a minimal amount of gold. If there are no changes, then the decoration is gold.
However, it is worth remembering that all folk remedies for detecting fakes and gilding can lead to damage to jewelry or costume jewelry. In addition, the use of chemicals (acids) and needle files is dangerous to human health. If necessary, you should contact a jeweler to evaluate the product.
Source: https://lermontovgallery.ru/spravochnik-antikvariata/otlichit-zoloto-pozolotu/
Imitations of gold - what metals are similar to gold, how to distinguish
The attitude towards imitation gold is twofold. On the one hand, this is still a fake, on the other hand, the appearance of the product or its content can be so noble that it more than compensates for the obvious lack of gold. This applies to the gilding of temple domes, coating of objects of art, and elements of exclusive furniture with materials similar to gold.
The history of counterfeits and legal substitutes for gold is so rich in facts that when asking the question: what is the name of a metal similar to gold, you can get an answer that will take more than a dozen pages. We will consider the most famous pseudo-gold alloys used in our time. So what material is similar to gold?
Abyssinian gold
The first and most honest specimen will be Abyssinian gold. The presence of microscopic fractions of precious metal in the composition of the metal gives it some right to be called gold.
The main problem of any imitation is low corrosion resistance. Ethiopian jewelers, who were brilliant swindlers, or simply enterprising chemists, created an alloy similar to gold, which did not become covered with patina for a long time and could pass for gold in the eyes of even an experienced specialist.
The new material was named after the old name of the country - Abyssinian. The basis of the alloy was copper, the content of which was almost 90%. The remaining parts were supplemented by zinc, and gold was added to corrosion resistance in very small doses - only 0.5%.
This amount of precious metal was enough to make Abyssinian gold resistant to external influences.
We recommend reading: The most expensive gold of Tsarist Russia
Abyssinian gold is used to make “gold” metal crowns, in microelectronics and in jewelry.
French gold
This metal, similar to gold, is called, like its precious prototype, gold, with the prefix French. In this alloy, the original is completely absent and they are united only by color.
Another feature that reveals the imperfection of most fakes is the lack of the sparkling shine inherent in gold. However, talented chemists have created a metal alloy from copper, zinc and tin, which reproduces both the yellow-golden color and shine of precious gold. Its name among jewelers is Oraide or French gold. The percentage of components in this alloy is: 58% Cu, 25% Zn, 17% Sn.
French gold is used to make haberdashery, jewelry, and is used as a material to create art objects. On them you will not find a seal with the hallmark corresponding to gold products.
Red brass
The brass-based alloy, known since the 17th century, looks like gold and behaves like gold. Tompak is slightly susceptible to corrosion and has a good shine; its color, like the color of gold, varies from yellow with red to light gold. The shades of the metal depend on the amount of copper, the usual content of which in the alloy is up to 90%. The amount of zinc is less than 10%. This metal, similar to gold, does not react to magnets.
Tompak has several additional names, among which the most common are similor, oreid and chrysorin.
The metal is used to make expensive furniture fittings, “gilded” decorative elements, dishes, interior items, insignia, sewing items, parts of wind musical instruments, coins and medals. In Russia, tombak is used as the basis for the main school award - the gold medal.
Titanium nitride
The combination of titanium with nitrogen gives rise to a special alloy - titanium nitride. This material, similar to gold, has truly unique characteristics. It is resistant to all types of atmospheric influences, does not react to hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, does not melt at temperatures up to 800 degrees, and does not lose its properties over time.
We recommend reading: Iridium - price per 1 gram in rubles
Thanks to these qualities, titanium nitride is used to imitate the effect of gilding church domes, interior decoration items, elements of exterior decoration of buildings and decorative metal structures.
Customers of large outdoor advertising projects, asking what metal is similar to gold, also receive an offer to coat their advertising installations with titanium nitride.
This beautiful and uniquely durable alloy is used to cover the surface of the cutting edges of medical instruments, tableware and decorative edged weapons.
By knowing that these imitations of gold are available, you are already protected as a buyer because you know that not everything is gold that looks like it. In order to learn how to distinguish fakes, we also recommend that you read our article on how to check gold for authenticity.
Source: http://inzoloto.ru/precious-metalls/imitatsii-zolota-iz-chego-sdelanyi-kak-otlichit-poddelku
Gold paint: types, composition and application technique
The luxurious golden glitter used for room decoration always causes admiration. Using gold paint in the interior, you can achieve a stunning effect and decorate the room with chic artistic painting. For this purpose, special metallized paints are used, available on the construction market in a wide range of colors and shades.
Types of decorative compositions
Wooden and metal surfaces, ceramics, glass and plastic can be finished in gold. You can process everything - from ceiling to floor. Decorative acrylic paint is popular. It is superior to alkyd and oil compositions in many respects.
Advantages of acrylic compositions
- environmental cleanliness, absence of heavy metals and toxic substances;
- good adhesion to wood, plaster, metal, plastered surfaces;
- resistant to ultraviolet rays and precipitation, can be used for indoor and outdoor decoration;
- dries very quickly and forms a moisture-resistant film;
- wood or metal treated with the composition after painting does not require special care and is easy to wash and clean;
- Gold acrylic paint can be tinted, that is, you can give it the necessary golden hue for any color.
The composition can be used both for decoration and for restoration work on metal and wood. With its help you can paint polyurethane and gypsum stucco. Manufacturers produce the coloring composition in several types:
- classic paint in a sealed metal can - enamel;
- aerosol paint in spray cans;
- dry, in the form of a powder composition that needs to be dissolved.
Each type of decorative acrylic paint has different characteristics, color and application features.
Acrylic based
There are a lot of manufacturers of golden paint, and any enamel is of good quality. An example is Metallic Accents acrylic decorative paint.
The substance contains mica particles, which give the coating a golden shine and a magnificent shimmering effect. The manufacturer offers a varied color palette from light gold to dark brown paint. Enamel is suitable for any interior style; it can be used to paint wallpaper, wood furniture, walls, and it is suitable for ceramic tile floors. For work use:
- roller;
- brush;
- spray gun;
After application, the layer of acrylic enamel must be coated with a finishing varnish to protect and secure the composition.
To create a beautifully distressed antique look, Aerican Accents can be used with a light patina effect. Acrylic paint is produced by the manufacturer in a small jar complete with a base and top coat. It can be used to paint surfaces made of metal, plastic, plaster, wood, and ceramics indoors and outdoors.
An antique patinated coating is obtained by applying all enamel components:
- The first layer is to first apply the primer in cans (included in the kit) to the prepared, cleaned surface, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- The second main layer - the enamel is mixed and applied in a thin layer. In the right places, the paint is immediately wiped down to the base layer to create a patina effect. The more second layer remains, the more aged the antique finish looks.
The composition is two-component. Dries in twenty minutes, suitable for interior and exterior decoration in an old style. In general, to get a brown patina, use any acrylic metallic paint of bronze and gold color. The surface is cleaned, degreased, base gold is applied, then bronze and clear varnish. As a result, you can get a spectacularly aged brown patina with an excellent antique imitation.
Acrylic paint in a can is a classic way to paint a surface, giving it the effect of an antique patina, antique coating, or Venetian plaster.
The benefits of aerosols
The modern market of paints and varnishes offers a large selection of gold-effect aerosol decorative paints with various color variations. Such compositions have a number of advantages.
- the spray has excellent covering ability and good adhesion;
- has universal application - on wood, glass, ceramics, metal, plaster;
- Gold-look aerosol paint dries quickly and can be painted in several layers;
- economical consumption combined with a perfectly smooth coating;
- The spray can easily give the surface the desired effect of aging, shine, or create a matte finish or patina.
Aerosol paint is used in any painting and finishing work. It is used to decorate walls, ceilings, floors, chandeliers, lamps, frames, furniture fittings, figurines, wooden and glass products, and even your favorite jewelry and gadgets.
Bosny “KT Gold Effect” aerosols have become very popular. The spray contains gold pigment KT-18. To make the substance more durable and produce a rich, bright color, acrylic resin was included in the spray paint. The spray fits perfectly on any type of surface and is used by designers when creating interior painting.
Main advantages:
- the spray does not fade, retains color for a long time;
- the composition is resistant to atmospheric influences;
- does not contain toxic substances;
- has anti-corrosion and antioxidant properties;
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor decoration;
- has an acceptable cost.
To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to apply a primer of the same series before spraying. The manufacturer offers five popular shades of gold: copper, dark gold, brass, golden branch and golden spark. Dark gold and brass are used indoors for walls, ceilings, and floors; other aerosols are suitable for outdoor use.
By spraying an aerosol it is easy to paint picture frames, legs of armchairs, chairs, giving them the beauty of antique gold, antique patina, getting an interesting painting and returning objects to their former attractiveness.
Sprays with chrome effect
Very often, when finishing surfaces with gold, the consumer wants to get a rich, shiny chrome effect. Jobi aerosol paint made in the Netherlands has proven itself to be excellent. With its help you can paint absolutely any surface. The composition with chromium has excellent characteristics:
- The enamel in the can is easily applied in an even layer;
- it is universal - you can paint glass, metal, wood, fabric, ceramics;
- withstands temperatures up to 110°C;
- gives the surface a rich color and shine of chrome;
- has good covering ability;
- chrome effect paint does not flow and dries quickly;
- you can get a waterproof, reliable layer.
You can paint up to three square meters of almost any surface with a chrome shine with one can of aerosol paint - the composition is suitable for painting wallpaper or plaster material, plastered ceilings, and floors. A great option for creative design ideas. It is often used to make various products with a chrome shine - souvenirs, crafts, unusual gifts made with your own hands.
Artistic acrylic paint
If you need to paint a wooden surface, you should use inexpensive OLKI artistic paint. The manufacturer positions the dry powder composition as natural gold leaf - and this is confirmed by consumers who work with artistic wood painting. Distinctive features:
- the powder is diluted with water;
- the paint is easy to apply;
- has good hiding power;
- creates a hard, stable layer on the surface;
- comes in light gold and dark brown;
- dries quickly, emphasizes the texture of the surface;
- It's inexpensive.
OLKI paint is also used for artistic painting of icon cases and icons. It is suitable for effectively painting a wooden frame of a picture or mirror, or restoring furniture.
What is remarkable about blacksmith's paints?
Since painting allows you to obtain interesting surfaces with different effects, it is used to decorate exteriors - gates, window bars, entrance doors and panels, bas-reliefs, fences (including painting fences in a cemetery). With the help of blacksmith's gold paints, it is possible to obtain an unusual surface with shiny chrome, artistic painting, or artificially age the metal.
Hammer compounds are very popular, which give the metal texture the appearance of dents and relief left by a forging hammer.
The use of several blacksmith's paints allows you to achieve a stunning effect of brown patina, and there are more than fifty options for such imitation. Even an inexpensive metal surface can be given a luxurious look and architectural appeal. In addition, forge paints significantly extend the service life of the metal and additionally protect it from moisture and corrosion.
Using dry acrylic, aerosol and enamel paints, you can introduce very bold and interesting design ideas, obtain incredibly beautiful unique surfaces, and add originality and chic to the interior. The only rule to follow is that there should not be too much gold. Only neat, no-frills gold accents will look appropriate and beautiful.
Source: https://kraska.guru/kraski/vidy/zolotaya.html
Gold colors
articles:
- What shades are there?
- Very dark shades
Anyone imagines gold as a yellow metal, but this is not entirely true. Metal particles found in nature most often have a greenish-gray tint, so only a specialist can recognize them as precious metal.
The processed metal of 999 purity, from which bank bullion is made, has a rich yellow color and a pronounced shine. Jewelry craftsmen do not use the precious metal itself to make jewelry, but its alloys with various ligatures. Depending on the composition of the ligature, the color of gold may vary.
This feature is used by jewelers to create unusual and exclusive jewelry that embody fashionable design solutions.
What shades are there?
In addition to the standard yellow color, pink and white gold are popular among buyers. The pink color is obtained by adding copper to the alloy. By increasing the proportion of copper in the metal alloy alloy, the master can obtain a pink tint, red or even orange.
What specific shade you get depends on the alloy sample and the amount of copper added. When choosing jewelry, you should remember that pink metal can only be 750 or 585.
The standard ratio of components in a 750 grade alloy is as follows: 75% aurum, 9% silver and 16% copper.
An orange or reddish color is typical for low-grade gold 375 markings. The components of the alloy are also silver and copper. To obtain an orange tint, the proportion of silver is increased, and for red, the proportion of copper is increased. The reddish tint corresponds to the color of old gold; most products of the Soviet 583 standard are characterized by a red tint.
Rose gold jewelry is considered a symbol of love and looks very romantic. Rings and pendants are most often made from material of this color, which are very popular among lovers who choose a gift for their soulmate.
The white color of gold is no less popular among clients of jewelry stores. Even in the photo, products made from light alloy look sophisticated and elegant.
The white alloy is usually 750 fine, the remainder of which is divided between palladium and silver. When choosing white gold jewelry, you need to make sure that the alloy contains palladium.
Unscrupulous manufacturers replace it with cheaper nickel, which can cause an allergic reaction on the skin when wearing the product.
The white metal is popular because its shade is similar to the steely white color of platinum. The light alloy is ideally combined with diamonds, since such a setting allows you to fully reveal the brilliance of the stones, further illuminating it. According to stylists, jewelry made from white aurum alloy is suitable for any look, regardless of the type of appearance, and is considered more versatile than yellow metal.
What color can gold still be if other components are added to the alloy? Alloys of gold with certain chemical elements are called metallides. Such compounds are characterized by unusual beautiful shades, fragility and low ductility. These materials are rarely used to create entire pieces of jewelry; they are usually used as inserts or exotic stones.
When combining aurum with potassium, you can achieve an olive tint to the alloy. Jewelry with such a green surface color is rare and has a fairly high cost due to its beauty.
You can also get gold with a greenish tint using silver, which is added in small quantities. As its proportion in the alloy increases, the metal acquires a yellowish-green tint, then yellow-white and completely white.
The metallic substance, which contains indium in addition to aurum, is characterized by a blue tint. Many experts consider blue gold to be a myth, since only the Argentine master Antiniassi, who left his secret of the composition of the ligature undisclosed, was able to reproduce the alloy with such a shade.
The blue color of gold is obtained by adding iron and chromium to the alloy. Like other metallic materials, the material is fragile, so it is only good as inserts in products from traditional options. According to experts, when choosing jewelry with blue gold, you should pay attention to the location of the inserts: they should come into contact with the skin as little as possible when worn. This requirement is due to the fact that the blue alloy quickly oxidizes when in constant contact with the skin.
A violet-colored alloy is obtained by combining aurum with aluminum or potassium. It owes its birth to the creative curiosity of jewelry makers. The first jewelry made of purple metal was created in Ancient Egypt, but the Egyptian recipe has not been preserved to this day. Modern masters have reproduced the composition of the compound anew.
Very dark shades
Dark shades of precious metals: brown and black are becoming increasingly popular. What determines the color of gold in this case? To obtain these shades, chemical methods are used to process the finished product.
Brown gold has recently become extremely fashionable, although previously, due to its hardness, it was used mainly to create cases for watch movements. As a standard, it has either a 585 or 750 grade with a high copper content in the rest of the alloy. The brown color is obtained not by adding cuprum to the ligature, but by repeated chemical processing of the jewelry. The material acquires a brown tint after several special procedures.
Brown gold is most often combined with a pink alloy - this is how jewelry craftsmen create spectacular jewelry, typical for precious collections of the autumn-winter seasons. A combination of alloys of different colors is used quite often. Combinations of golden yellow, pink and white alloys also look unusual.
In terms of stone compatibility, white diamonds are best suited to brown gold. Very often in new collections you can find a combination of a dark shade of precious metal not only with jewelry alloys and precious stones, but also with materials of a completely different nature. These include wood, leather and fabrics. The unusual shade of the precious metal allows you to create jewelry that is equally unusual in design.
Black gold is distinguished by its special sophistication and charm, but its color is also obtained through special processing. To give your decoration shades of the black-gray spectrum, you can use several techniques. If the color is achieved through galvanic processing, then the process can produce a shade ranging from light gray to deep black. What color the gold will turn out depends on the degree of processing and the features of the technological process.
Other methods of producing fashionable black gold include coating the jewelry with a layer of rhodium or amorphous carbon. Instead of rhodium, the master can use ruthenium; the result is a product that has a peculiar black coating. To obtain a black tint, they also resort to the preparation of a special alloy of 750 fineness of the precious metal, the alloy of which also includes cobalt and chromium. To obtain a dark surface, the compound is oxidized at high temperatures.
The most advantageous option is the combination of black gold with precious compounds of other shades, and among the stones, black diamonds are considered the ideal complement to such jewelry, which not only do not fade against a dark background, but also reveal the full depth of their color. It is acceptable to use white diamonds, rubies and sapphires.
The quality of a metal does not depend in any way on its color. Many people prefer white gold to the usual yellow alloy, justifying their choice with a higher purity. In practice, 750 standard precious metal can have a white, yellow or pink tint.
The reddish tint is very often characterized as the color of old gold or the cheapest gold - this is another misconception. Light reddish pink tints are also characteristic of high grades of gold, if the alloy contains copper in the alloy.
The cost of jewelry is influenced not by its color, but by the marking of the sample and the complexity of the craftsman’s work. The more complex the technological process of making a product and obtaining a beautiful shade, or the more difficult it is to implement the designer’s idea, the higher the price the decoration will have.
Source: http://golden-inform.ru/proby/cvet-zolota/
What is the difference between gold plating and gold plating?
Gold-plated and gold-plated jewelry are often compared because they are very similar in some respects.
Let's see what the similarities actually are, as well as how these two types of jewelry differ.
What is gold plating?
Gold plating refers to either a thin layer of gold covering the surface of gold-plated objects or the process by which this layer is applied.
The base of such items can be made from a variety of non-precious metals, and the gold with which they are plated can have varying levels of purity.
Gilt plated, or simply silver plated, refers to silver items with a thin layer of gold.
In the US, to be considered gold plated, a piece must have a layer of gold that is at least 10 karats in purity.
In addition, the thickness of the gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns.
Also, the seller must disclose any metals other than silver that are contained in the base of the item.
Differences between gold-plated and plated products
The most noticeable differences between them are in the metals that form their basis. Differences in price or thickness of the gold layer may also occur, but they are in a slightly different direction.
Basic metals
The base of the coated products can be made from a variety of metals, and there are no restrictions on which specific metal must be used.
In contrast, gilding should always be made of silver as the material used to create the base.
Otherwise, the product cannot be sold as gold plated. This requirement is the biggest difference between these two types of jewelry.
Coating thickness
In the US, there is a minimum requirement for the thickness of plating on gold-plated silver - as already mentioned, the gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns or 0.0025 millimeters.
There are no such requirements for gold-plated products. Their plating can vary in thickness and even at the minimum they can be sold as plated gold.
Price
You may see gold plated jewelry that costs more than plated jewelry of similar weight or size.
One reason for this is that gold-plated jewelry is made from silver, while many plated pieces are made with cheaper metals that are used to create a base for the plating.
However, gilding does not always cost more, all other things being equal.
Do not forget that the price of gold-plated products also depends on the thickness of the coating and its purity. And the bases of such jewelry may also contain more expensive materials, including silver.
Which jewelry is more reliable?
The durability of these pieces of jewelry mainly depends on the karat of the gold layer, its thickness and the composition of the alloy from which the base is made.
Silver is a soft metal and therefore can be expected to be relatively easy to bend unless the alloy contains other metals to improve its hardness.
Whether a plated item is harder (compared to gold plating) depends on the metals from which it is composed - some jewelry may not be much harder than gilding.
The karat of the gold plating determines whether its surface will scratch easily—high purity gold is softer and less durable, while lower karat alloys do not scratch or wear as easily.
In this regard, a plated item may be more or less durable than gold plating, depending on the gold used for the plating.
In terms of plating thickness, you may have gold-plated jewelry with a thicker layer of gold than plated jewelry, or vice versa.
In any case, the thicker the layer, the longer it will last (provided it is not much softer due to its carats).
As you can see, neither plated nor gold plated jewelry is undisputedly superior when it comes to durability—it just needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis based on the karat of the plating, its thickness, and the composition of the base metal.
Markings
Plated jewelry is usually marked with one of the following symbols: GP, RGP, GEP, HGP or HGE.
If you see one of these letter combinations after the carat number (for example, “14K GP”), then this is a sign that the item is gold plated.
A gold plated item may not be marked with a stamp indicating that the jewelry is gold plated, but if you see a marking indicating the standard silver purity value on the gold surface, then it is highly likely that the item has a silver base.
For example, the mark "925" means 92.5% silver content, and if you see it on gold, it usually means that the item is actually made from a 92.5% silver alloy that has a gold plating.
Source: http://DragMag.ru/razlichie-megdu-pozolotoi-i-zolotym-pokrytiem/
Gold gets support from stock market bubble
As you know, the yellow precious metal is a protective asset during periods of crisis in politics and economics. At first glance, there is no talk of a financial crisis now. However, gold is now trading at 1,410 euros per ounce, and this is very close to the historically record value that was reached on January 8 during Iran's retaliatory strike on US military targets.
However, then the situation in the Middle East calmed down, and the price of gold showed a slight decline, but was still able to stay above 1,400 euros per ounce. This indicates that, in addition to geopolitics, there are a number of other reasons that support the price of the precious metal.
This includes the monetary policies of central banks, which have lowered interest rates to help banks, large companies and states bear the burden of debt. As a result of the growth in the money supply, the value of many assets increased. A striking example is the US stock market, where one can observe an increase in quotations to levels that are far from the real value of assets.
Many investors around the world already understand that the US stock market is at levels where there is a high probability of its imminent collapse. In this regard, there is growing interest among investors in gold as a protective asset in case of a stock market crash.
Experts advise having up to 10% gold in your investment portfolio in order to stabilize your investments in case of increased risk in the financial markets. For example, in the 4th quarter of 2018, the US stock market fell by 20%.
Those who had the precious metal were able to survive these turbulent times relatively calmly.
Another reason why the price of gold and stock prices rise in parallel is the distorted policies of Central Banks. They created a real “bubble” in the stock, real estate and government bond markets. There are practically no tools left with which to correct the consequences of their decisions without a general financial collapse.
In the 4th quarter of 2018, the US Federal Reserve tried to raise interest rates and shrink its balance sheet, but this led to a sharp drop in stock market prices. Since then, the Fed has been hesitant to repeat such actions.
The popularity of gold among investors of all levels will only grow, since the yellow precious metal is one of the best assets for preserving savings during a financial crisis.
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Source: https://gold.ru/news/cena-zolota-poluchaet-podderzhku-ot-puzyrya-na-rynke-akcij.html
Gold
Gold (from lit. geltonas - yellow) is a noble (precious) metal from the class of native elements. Denoted by the formula: Au. The metal's Latin name 'aurum' means "yellow" and is associated with the morning dawn Aurora.
Properties and photos of gold
Features . The constant characteristics of native gold are: metallic luster, medium hardness, golden yellow color, golden yellow, metallic shiny feature. Native gold can be confused with copper pyrite. The difference is that copper pyrite has a feature.
Physical properties . Metallic shine. Hardness 2.5. Specific gravity 19.32 g/cm3. The color is golden yellow. The streak is golden yellow, metallic shiny. Inclusions in quartz, dendrites, hair-like forms, also leaves, scales, grains and large nuggets in placers.
For example, in the last century, a nugget weighing 36 kg 22 g (“Big Triangle”) was found in the Miass region in the Urals. Crystals are exceptionally rare and usually distorted. Cubic system. Malleable. Gold can be flattened to a thickness of 0.00008 mm (500 times thinner than a human hair). Stringy.
From gold the size of a pea you can draw a wire 15 km long with a diameter of 0.000002 mm.
Chemical properties . Dissolves only in aqua regia (a mixture of three parts strong hydrochloric acid and one part strong nitric acid).
Varieties:
- Electrum contains from 15 to 50% silver.
- Cuprous gold (cuproaurite) contains up to 20% copper.
Native gold Gold-bearing calcite. Photo by Rob Lavinsky Gold crystals. Hi-Res Images of Chemicals Elements
Origin of gold
Gold can be indigenous (vein) and alluvial. J. London expressively described the indigenous gold deposit: “We examined the gold-bearing vein, which stood out on the rock, like a real vein on the human body.” Native gold is released from thermal aqueous solutions associated in origin with acidic and intermediate magmas, rarely with basic magmas.
Characteristic of hypothermal, mesothermal and epithermal veins. This type of gold is called vein gold. In addition, there are placer gold deposits (placer or schlich gold), formed as a result of the destruction of primary (vein) deposits by river flows or sea surf. Most of the mineral is mined from placer deposits.
1000 tons of earth rock contains only 5 g of gold, and in rich gold ores there is the same amount of gold per 50 kg of rock.
Model of the formation of a jasperoid type gold deposit:
Applications of gold
Gold is a currency and monetary metal; In addition, it is used as decoration and luxury items, as well as in dentistry and gilding of metals.
Gold has such unique properties as exceptional anti-corrosion and chemical resistance, high electrical and thermal conductivity.
Gold is used in jet engines, rockets, spacecraft, nuclear reactors, supersonic aircraft, in the electronics and radio engineering industries, in the production of chronometers, galvanometers and equipment for the production of synthetic fabrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlH5lBmQDD4
Modern microelectronics cannot do without gold—it is used in electronic computers. Gold salts are used in photography (tinting). Used in chemistry, medicine (in the treatment of some forms of tuberculosis, lungs, larynx, skin, eyes) and for coloring glass and porcelain red.
Gold deposits
Gold is mined mainly in the northeast of Russia (Eastern Transbaikalia, Yakutia, Kolyma) and the Urals. The largest deposits are Baleyskoye in Eastern Transbaikalia, in the Urals - Kochkarskoye and Berezovskoye. Large nuggets were found in the Urals - 14.231 kg, 9.386 kg, 2.05 kg, 1.125 kg and 970 g.
in the placers of the Miass region on the river. A nugget weighing 36.022 kg was found in Tashkutarganka. In the Orenburg region, the mineral was discovered in the river basin. Box. Well-known deposits in quartz veins are Kumakskoye and Aidirlinskoye. There is gold in the river basin. Sakmara, Big Ik, Salmysh and Yushatyr.
The “iron hat” of the Gai copper pyrite deposit was rich in gold.
Among foreign countries, the main gold reserves are in South Africa (the deposits of the Witwatersrand, Transvaal and the Orange River basin) - providing about 78% of world production. Then come Ghana, Botswana, Zaire.
Rich deposits of placer and bedrock gold are found in Australia. The largest nugget had a mass of 285 kg, its length was 144 cm, its width was 66 cm and its thickness was 10 cm.
Large gold nuggets “Desired” weighing 68.08 kg and “Pleasant Stranger” weighing 59.67 kg were also found in Australia. There are gold deposits in Canada (Klondike).
Source: https://www.geolib.net/mineralogy/zoloto.html
More precious than gold: why the metal palladium is rising
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The price of the precious metal palladium has soared on global commodity markets.
In the last two weeks alone, it has jumped more than 25% and nearly doubled from last year.
At about $2,500 (£1,922) an ounce, palladium is more expensive than gold, and the upward pressure on its price is unlikely to subside soon.
But what is palladium, what is it used for and why is its price rising?
What is palladium?
It is a lustrous white metal in the same group as platinum, along with ruthenium, rhodium, osmium and iridium.
Most of the world's palladium comes from Russia and South Africa. Most of it is mined as a by-product of the mining of other metals, usually platinum and nickel.
What is it used for?
Its main commercial use is as a critical component in catalytic converters—the part of a vehicle's exhaust system that controls emissions—primarily in gasoline and hybrid vehicles.
The vast majority of palladium, more than 80%, is used in these devices, which convert toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide into less harmful nitrogen, carbon dioxide and water vapor.
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Image caption
Catalytic converters are relatively easy to remove from vehicles
It is also used, to a much lesser extent, in electronics, dentistry and jewelry.
In recent years, rising metal costs have seen a jump in the theft of catalytic converters around the world.
London's Metropolitan Police said the number of thefts in the first six months of 2019 was more than 70% higher than the entire previous year.
Why is its price rising?
In short, this is because demand for palladium is outpacing supply, and has been doing so for some time.
The amount of metal produced in 2019 is forecast to be below global demand for the eighth year in a row.
As a byproduct of platinum and nickel extraction, mining companies have less flexibility to increase palladium production in response to rising prices.
And those shortfalls look set to continue as South Africa, which produces about 40% of the world's supply, last week reported that its production of platinum group metals, including palladium, fell 13.5% in November from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, demand for palladium from automakers has increased sharply for a number of reasons.
Governments around the world, especially China, are tightening regulations in an attempt to combat air pollution from gasoline cars.
At the same time, the diesel emissions scandal in Europe also had an impact. Consumers have moved away from diesel cars, which primarily use platinum in their catalytic converters, and are instead buying gasoline-powered cars, which use palladium.
The trade deal between the US and China, which was signed earlier this month, has also boosted prices. Traders expect the agreement to help ease downward pressure on global economic growth and slow a decline in auto sales in China.
Source: https://www.nachedeu.com/%D0%B1%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%B5-%D0%B4%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%B3% D0%BE%D1%86%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BC-%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BB% D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE-%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%87%D0%B5%D0%BC%D1%83-%D0%BC%D0%B5/
What color is gold and why?
Yellow and white are not the only color options for gold jewelry. There are actually several shades of this metal that are used for jewelry. The color depends on the metals with which the gold is mixed. By purchasing precious jewelry in different colors, you can have fun with your accessories and also experiment with combining different shades to suit your personal style.
Gold jewelry can be found in a wide range of shades, from classic colors like yellow to bold colors like purple.
Yellow gold
The natural color of this metal is yellow. This gold is often alloyed with a metal such as silver or copper for strength. The higher the carat of this gold, the richer the yellow color.
The precious metal is used to create a variety of items, from simple ones like earrings and rings to fancy and expensive necklaces and bracelets. It is often used to create chains.
You can find yellow gold jewelry in large department stores and small specialty stores, as well as online. This is not a shortage nowadays, they can be found anywhere in the world, the price will depend on the region in which you live.
At the moment, there are a lot of jewelry stores in the world, and Internet sites are teeming with yellow gold jewelry. You can order an extensive collection of wedding rings, necklaces, fashionable bracelets or even create your own unique piece of jewelry.
White gold
In order to obtain this shade, the metal is mixed with nickel, copper and zinc. Some white gold is plated with a metal such as rhodium, which gives the finished piece a richer, shinier color. Those with nickel allergies may be sensitive to these types of accessories.
In any jewelry store you can find rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings made of white gold. Jewelry can be found at local jewelry stores as well as various online stores. The price is almost the same as yellow gold.
Various jewelry shops and stores provide a large selection of white metal items, including rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings. You can find ready-made combination accessories that are made of white and yellow gold, or you can have them custom-made to suit your personal taste.
You can also shop online, there are a very large number of websites that sell good quality jewelry. There is a very large abundance of white gold items, including diamond earrings, wedding rings, chains, necklaces and much more.
Pink gold
It is also called pink or ruddy. In order to obtain a pink tint, gold is alloyed with copper. The more copper you use, the less yellow tint there will be and the metal will be more pink in color.
Most of the jewelry is available in this design as it is now considered a fashionable and modern trend. You can find rose gold at many local jewelry stores and retail websites. The price is not particularly different from the two options described above.
When you go to a good jewelry store, you can find beautiful rose gold rings set with diamonds and other precious stones. You can also find stunning earrings, bracelets and necklaces.
Rose gold jewelry is also available for sale on various online sites. It is worth considering the fact that prices there are more reasonable than in stores and workshops. On the internet, you are sure to find wedding rings, cross necklaces, chains and pendants that are made from quality material.
Green gold
This unusual option is made using silver, which is simply added to gold. This type of metal does not contain copper. Green gold is quite unusual when compared to other shades, and is rarely seen anywhere. For example, some jewelers only use green gold to make leaves and other shapes in their designs. You can also order yourself wedding rings, or just rings made from this metal. Believe me, it will surprise everyone.
Prices vary depending on weight and design. Small simple jewelry costs about $50, and sometimes the cost exceeds $4,000, but this is already the price for larger and more complex items.
This kind of accessories cannot be found on all Internet sites, but still, if you try, you can find anything you want. Many jewelers combine metals and make jewelry that includes shades of green, rose and yellow gold. You can find jewelry such as brooches, rings, pendants, necklaces, earrings and chains.
Also in jewelry workshops you will find handmade items that are made only from green gold. You can safely order green gold items, such as wedding rings, or just rings that can be combined and worn with other accessories.
Black gold
To obtain this option, ordinary gold is coated with a layer of ruthenium, which also gives additional strength. A black or brown tint can also be achieved by adding copper and potassium sulfide.
Black gold is cheaper than regular gold, for example, if we talk about simple earrings and a necklace, the price difference can be about $100.
Purple gold
This interesting shade of metal is created by mixing gold with aluminum and a chemical element such as indium. This type of metal is quite delicate and may seem like an intricate piece of jewelry in some way. Although purple gold is not yet very popular in most jewelry stores and boutiques, you can still find products online. It is currently freely available in Singapore.
Cost of colored gold
The amount of gold in a piece is generally valued the same regardless of color. The difference in color is due to the alloy that is mixed with the gold. Therefore, the non-ferrous metal is as valuable as yellow or white gold. It is always rated by weight. The value of such metal is constantly changing, and the most important thing you need to know is the gold purity of your product.
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Source: https://FB.ru/post/jewelry/2017/8/16/15413
What color is gold: description and options
At all times, gold has been a sign of luxury, status and solidity. But if in ancient times it could only be the classic yellow color, to which we are accustomed today, now there are many more options for its color. This is achieved by changing the specific gravity of alloy metals in the overall alloy, their name and quantity.
Types of gold
This substance appears as a result of the combination of copper and the precious metal itself, and the final jewelry mass has a delicate, sophisticated and truly unique shade. Since the “rough” version of gold has a clearly defined yellowish tint, the intensity of the shade of pink in the pink precious metal depends entirely on the specific gravity of copper in the alloy. Traditionally, the composition of the latter implies the presence of 9% silver, 16% copper and 75% of the most valuable substance.
Shades
White precious metal
Gold jewelry can also be a noble white color if a jewelry mixture of gold and palladium was used to make it. Typically, this metal is used to make jewelry with diamonds, since it has the ability to perfectly reflect the shine of stones and additionally illuminate them, sharing part of its amazing reflection.
In addition, the valuable white substance emphasizes the original quality of the diamond, its lack of yellowness and the presence of perfect transparency. Jewelry made from such material is the prerogative of stylish and fashionable individuals. They are considered universal because they go well with any type of skin, hair and overall look.
White gold
Gold in all shades of green
This color of the precious metal appears as a result of its fusion with potassium. Such mixtures are called metallides, and may imply the presence of other metals.
For example, aluminum makes the yellow metal purple, rubidium makes it rich green, and indium makes it blue. Products made from such materials look quite exotic and unusual, but demonstrate fragility and lack of practicality.
That is why metallides often perform the function of precious stones, serving only as a method of decorating finished gold items.
Jewelry made from the green gemstone is very expensive, but it is a justifiable price considering its magnificent appearance. By the way, this metal is sometimes obtained as a result of a chemical reaction of a precious metal with silver. If there is not much of the latter, the alloy will acquire a slightly greenish tint, which will become more intense as the silver fraction increases.
Blue metal
When covering the topic of what color gold is, it is impossible not to remember the precious metal of a blue hue. This material is obtained by the fusion of yellow substance and indium. The final alloy is very brittle and unstable, and therefore cannot be used independently. Typically, blue gold is used for decorative purposes, acting as inserts and inclusions.
The British committee specializing in the hallmarks of precious metals refutes the recognition of the term “blue gold”, since modern jewelers cannot obtain an alloy of the same color as that of the Argentine goldsmith Antoniassi. It was thanks to his efforts and experiments that the world saw almost 958 grade blue gold, from which a bracelet with white precious metal inserts was made.
To date, the secret of the creation of this substance has not been revealed, and existing variations of blue gold are used in the production of wrist watches, such as the one in the photo.
Blue and purple alloy
When discussing what color gold comes in, it is definitely worth mentioning the blue precious metal, which contains chromium. The final jewelry material is very, very fragile, so it is not suitable for making full-fledged jewelry, only for decorative inclusions. It is noteworthy that the jewelry is decorated with blue gold only in those places where the product will not touch the skin. The fact is that the alloy begins to oxidize quickly and can cause allergies.
The purple precious metal was the result of the curiosity of jewelry craftsmen. This alloy contains 75% true metal and alloy metals such as potassium or aluminum.
The first recipe for making such a material was developed by the ancient Egyptians, but it was lost, as a result of which modern jewelers had to restore it experimentally. Purple precious metal is royal gold, which is extremely chic, exotic and unusual, but due to the presence of aluminum and potassium, it cannot boast of strength or ductility.
Black metal
Considering the topic of what color gold is found in the world, it is impossible not to dwell on the black jewelry metal, which looks truly amazing. It is done in several ways:
- by alloying purified gold with chromium and cobalt, followed by oxidation of the final substance under the influence of critical temperatures;
- processing the finished gold alloy with rhodium;
- opening with amorphous carbon.
Initially, this jewelry material was considered as incapable of contact with precious stones, since it drowns out their color and beauty. In practice, it turned out that black gold makes rubies and emeralds more glamorous, and makes diamonds appear in all their glory.
It is difficult to say which color of gold is best to buy for yourself or your loved ones. Each of the proposed options has its own exclusive external data and user parameters.
Source: http://zolotoigid.ru/kakogo-cveta-byvaet-zoloto
White gold: what is this precious metal, what is the popularity of 585 carat of this metal?
White gold is a jewelry material that is an alloy of ordinary yellow gold with palladium, platinum or nickel . Thanks to them, the precious metal acquires a white color.
Silver is also used for such purposes, but much less frequently, since it gives gold a matte color, and this is a big disadvantage for jewelry.
This precious metal is usually used in products with diamonds, since against its background the shine of the gemstone is enhanced, making it unusually attractive.
What is white gold?
In the jewelry industry, such precious metal is usually not used in its pure form for the production of products. Rings made from it would be soft, and this could deform the product even with a handshake.
Therefore, jewelry gold is an alloy of the metal itself with other non-ferrous or precious metals in the required proportions. They affect the strength and shade of the product.
For example, the presence of a small amount of silver in the alloy makes the yellow color of gold brighter, and thanks to copper it acquires a reddish tint. White gold is the same alloy.
To give a yellow precious metal a white tint, the following is usually used:
- palladium;
- nickel;
- platinum;
- less often - zinc and silver.
However, as studies have shown, any metal can give gold a white tint , except copper. Alloying with non-ferrous metals such as zinc or nickel cannot make the precious metal completely white. In this case, the product is coated with a very thin layer of rhodium, as a result of which the jewelry acquires a noble color and also increases its wear resistance.
How noble is white precious metal?
Many people believe that since a precious metal is white, it is “nobler” than yellow. You need to know that the nobleness of a metal is determined by its sample , but not by its shade. The higher the standard, the more pure gold the jewelry contains. Therefore, yellow and white 585 precious metals are equivalent, since they contain 585 mg of pure gold.
White gold alloy often contains nickel , but research has found it to cause allergies. Therefore, many European countries use this metal in the jewelry industry in limited quantities. Recently it has been replaced by palladium , but many of the characteristics of nickel remain unchanged. It is much harder than palladium and polishes remarkably well. This allows you to create unique jewelry with complex designs.
The noble white precious metal completely eliminates the possibility of allergic reactions, since the alloy contains palladium or platinum. Palladium has almost the same value as gold, and also makes the alloy quite durable.
Platinum is an ideal option for the production of white precious metal. It “bleaches” yellow metal more effectively than others, makes the alloy durable and gives a pale tint.
This white gold is valued above all others, has impeccable characteristics and has a luxurious appearance.
585 white gold: what is it?
In our country, the most beloved metal is 585 standard . Back in Soviet times, earrings, rings, bracelets, chains and other products were made from it. It combines acceptable quality and affordable price. Unlike 750, jewelry made from 585 alloy is durable and strong. Jewelers also love this metal because it is easy to work with. Precious metal of this standard:
- does not lose shine;
- does not become covered with a dark coating;
- does not corrode.
If the purity of white gold is 585, this means that it contains 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% other metals, including nickel, palladium, silver or copper. Purchasing jewelry made from such an alloy is a very tempting offer, but you should remember that nickel, which is contained in quite a lot, can cause an allergic reaction . Therefore, it is best to buy products containing a high percentage of palladium.
Such jewelry made of 585 white gold is more popular than all others. This alloy is used to make beautiful settings for pearls and precious stones. There is no need to worry that a diamond, ruby, or sapphire will fall out. In addition, their shine becomes more multifaceted, and their color becomes deeper and richer.
How to spot fake jewelry?
The popularity of the white precious metal has led to the fact that many jewelry store sellers offer customers under its guise a silver product or even a fake that does not contain any precious metals.
What should real white gold look like? Its main feature is pronounced shine. Sometimes the precious metal can have a matte tint, which indicates that the alloy contains a large amount of silver. A matte surface is not at all a sign of poor quality, so matte 585 white gold is especially original.
To recognize a fake, you need to study the prices in a jewelry store. White precious metal is much more expensive than yellow or red. Its cost depends on the composition of the alloy. For example, copper, which is added to the yellow precious metal alloy, is much cheaper than palladium, silver and platinum.
When buying white gold jewelry, you need to pay attention to the shine and color of the product . Nickel provides a golden shine, palladium enhances the steely tint, and platinum gives the jewelry an aristocratic pallor. When the surface is rhodium-plated, the jewelry acquires a bluish glow.
To distinguish the original from a fake, you need to check the sample . The marking of jewelry should consist of the manufacturer's mark, the hallmark and the hallmark inspection mark. there is no hallmark on a white gold diamond ring , and the seller does not want to provide the appropriate certificates, then you can doubt not only the authenticity of the precious metal, but also the value of the stones in the setting.
You should know that scammers are able to purchase the necessary equipment and can put a stamp on jewelry themselves, so evaluate precious items according to other parameters. It is worth paying attention to the shine and color of the metal. White gold has a warmer hue than silver. If the concentration of silver in the alloy is too high, the color will be gray.
You can run the ring over a blank sheet of paper. If there is a trace left, it is a fake . Also, to clarify, you can drop a little iodine . If you erase it, there should be no trace left on the gold.
Thus, white gold is a precious metal that is very popular in our country. Products and decorations made from it have a magnificent appearance. Such popularity has led to the emergence of counterfeits, so jewelry should only be purchased from certified sellers.
Gorgeous white gold jewelry
Source: https://kamni.guru/ukrasheniya/metally/beloe-zoloto-chto-eto-za-dragmetall.html
Blue gold: history of production and composition of blue metal
For hundreds of years, gold has always been associated with the shiny yellow metal. The modern range of jewelry products clearly shows that gold products can come in a variety of shades. The so-called colored gold is rapidly gaining popularity. Blue gold occupies a special place among the possible color options for the noble metal. Metal of heavenly or sea shades is rightfully considered the most beautiful and unusual.
What determines the color of the metal?
The emergence of colored varieties of gold is due to the impossibility of using this metal in its pure form to create jewelry. As you know, pure gold is soft, as a result of which this material can only be used in jewelry in the form of an alloy.
It was the addition of various chemical elements to the composition in order to strengthen the metal that had a key impact not only on the physical properties of the material, but also on its color. Combining gold with additional “strengtheners,” jewelers were surprised to discover that the impurities seemed to tint the metal, and the resulting substance was no longer yellow.
This unexpected discovery gave the world many different color variations of gold and actually gave jewelry makers complete freedom of creativity - now they could create gold items of almost any shade. To simultaneously strengthen and paint in various colors, the noble metal is still combined with the following elements:
- aluminum;
- nickel;
- palladium;
- rubidium;
- chrome and others.
Today, the jewelry market offers gold products in a variety of colors. In addition to blue and cyan, unusual (that is, non-standard) shades that are in great demand include:
- white;
- green;
- red;
- violet;
- black.
The creation of blue and cyan gold is the most secret process. The technology and nuances of obtaining metal of these particular shades are carefully hidden by manufacturers and are therefore only partially known.
First experiments
The first products made of heavenly gold were created thousands of years ago. The craftsmen who unraveled the secret of obtaining metal of this shade were the Scythians.
Some jewelry created by Scythian craftsmen from traditional yellow gold and decorated with unusual blue inserts has survived to the present day.
But, alas, it will not be possible to find out the composition of the alloy created by the Scythians - due to the enormous historical value that these products have, it is prohibited to conduct chemical experiments and analyzes with them.
Ancient way
Surviving manuscripts have revealed a description of the process by which the first blue gold was obtained. Ancient alchemists claimed that to create such an alloy, you just need to combine iron and gold in a ratio of one to three, respectively.
That is, the oldest composition of blue gold:
- 25% iron;
- 75% pure gold.
Current results
The ancient experience has been repeated in modern times. But the results were disappointing. The alloy of gold and iron in the specified ratio had a silvery tint. A product made from this material first acquired a bluish color due to the oxide film formed on the iron. But soon the film turned into rust. The noble metal was unrecognizable, and the appearance of the jewelry was truly terrifying.
Modern methods of obtaining
Modern advances in science and technology make it possible to produce blue gold while preserving its noble qualities. Each manufacturer has its own technology, which it protects in every possible way from outsiders.
It is worth noting that the association of jewelers has long established a rule according to which the invented production method should be revealed to colleagues. But this rule does not seem to apply to this jewelry material. None of the existing and used recipes are fully known - the methods are disclosed only partially and exclusively in general terms.
Shade options and coloring
The corresponding gold alloy can be either light or rich, dark, like a twilight sky. The specific shade directly depends on the origin of the metal, that is, on the added element. Modern production methods make it possible to create heavenly-colored gold, covering a spectrum of possible colors from light blue to dark blue.
On the one hand, blue and blue gold are one material, a non-ferrous metal, an alloy of a noble metal with additional elements. But on the other hand, they are two different ones; they differ in shade and, accordingly, in composition. The very common belief that to create a darker and more saturated color is simply adding a larger volume of additional coloring component is absolutely wrong. Different shades are created by adding different substances.
However, both one and the other do not have a strictly defined composition - there are several options for alloys. Therefore, combining them all into one subtype of the color category or dividing them into independent representatives of the colored precious metal is an entirely subjective choice.
When creating non-ferrous metal, the material is processed under high pressure and high temperatures. Sky and sea tones are added to classic yellow gold in one of two possible ways:
- fusion;
- coating application.
Fusion, of course, is a more reliable method. It is based on a chemical compound, which makes it the most effective. The result of the interaction of elements is durable.
Alloys and their possible composition
There are many options for the composition of blue gold. To create this unusual metal, the traditional element gold can be alloyed with the following substances:
- gallium;
- indium;
- cobalt;
- steel and chrome;
- steel, platinum and iridium.
When alloyed with gallium, the color turns out to be light and somewhat pale, while with indium, on the contrary, it becomes bright and saturated. The alloy with cobalt is almost identical in shade to the alloy with steel and chromium.
Coating
This method of “coloring” is fundamentally different from fusion. If during a chemical combination, such as an alloy, gold is colored as if from the inside, then when a coating is applied, it acquires an unusual shade only on the surface. Of course, this method is used for finished products. The following substances are used for coloring:
- rhodium plating;
- special blue varnish.
Rhodium plating is a very effective method of giving gold a bluish tint. But alas, this option cannot boast of durability. Periodically, a rhodium-plated product requires updating the coating. It is especially worth noting that the process of applying rhodium coating is complex and labor-intensive. Rhodium plating technology is very specific. Therefore, rhodium-plated products cannot be much more affordable than those made from real alloys.
But the varnish coating, on the contrary, is characterized by a fairly low cost and simplicity of the application process. At the same time, it is almost impossible for a person who does not understand the jewelry business at an expert level to distinguish a product with a varnish coating from those painted in other ways. It is for these reasons that this method is very popular and in demand.
Cost of products
The noble metal of blue and light blue colors is widely used in the jewelry industry. Inserts and decorative elements of products are usually made from this material, but you can also find independent jewelry (rings, cufflinks, etc.). In any case, products using this unusual material are incredibly beautiful and instantly attract attention.
Jewelry made from blue and blue gold are considered exclusive, so their cost is tens and hundreds of times higher than average market prices. These colored varieties are considered the most expensive of all. Based on the content of the main component, sky-colored products are divided into three categories, distinguished by fineness - 585, 750 and 958. The cost of blue gold per 1 g starts from 10 thousand rubles.
Source: https://VseoMetallah.ru/zoloto/goluboe-istoriya-polucheniya