To make jewelry, gold is mixed with other metals to create an alloy.
Here's a breakdown of why and what metals are typically used:
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Why Alloy Gold? Pure gold (24k) is too soft for most jewelry applications. Alloying it with other metals increases its durability, hardness, and changes its color.
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Common Metals Used in Gold Alloys:
- Silver: Often used to create white gold or to lighten the color of yellow gold.
- Copper: Adds a reddish tint and increases the hardness of gold. Higher copper content results in rose gold.
- Nickel: Formerly a common ingredient in white gold, but often avoided now due to potential allergic reactions.
- Zinc: Commonly used in conjunction with other metals in gold alloys to improve ductility and prevent oxidation.
- Palladium: A more expensive option for white gold alloys. Hypoallergenic.
- Platinum: Another premium option for white gold. Provides excellent durability.
- Other metals: Iron, tin, manganese, cadmium, and titanium are sometimes used in smaller quantities to modify specific properties.
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Karat (k) System: The karat system indicates the proportion of gold in an alloy.
- 24k: Pure gold (too soft for jewelry).
- 18k: 75% gold, 25% other metals.
- 14k: 58.3% gold, 41.7% other metals.
- 10k: 41.7% gold, 58.3% other metals (minimum legal standard in the US).
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Color Variations & Alloy Composition:
Gold Color Typical Alloying Metals Yellow Gold Silver and Copper White Gold Silver, Palladium, Platinum, Zinc Rose Gold Copper Green Gold Silver (and sometimes cadmium, though less common now)
In summary, the specific metal or combination of metals mixed with gold depends on the desired color, durability, and other properties of the final jewelry piece.
