Which gold is better: yellow or red?

When buying gold jewelry, few people think about what it is. red and yellow gold, and also how these varieties differ. Meanwhile, this is far from an idle question - after all, the color of the metal from which this or that piece of jewelry is made is directly related to its service life. This article will help you understand the difference between yellow and red gold, and also tell you how to choose the right gold jewelry so that they retain their original shine over time and delight the owners with their sophistication and nobility.

This metal in its pure form is never used by artisans for jewelry making, since it too soft, very easy to scratch... Therefore, the surfaces of such jewelry very quickly lose their shine and tarnish. In addition, they are very fragile - they can be easily bent and even break off some particularly "airy" design element.

In jewelry business for a long time use special additives - alloys of two or more metals, which are called ligatures - they add the necessary strength and other useful properties to gold products. Jewelers have learned to select the composition of such ligatures in different ways in order to obtain the greatest possible variety of grades of gold, differing from each other in their characteristics.

The main components of ligatures usually include silver and copper in different quantitative ratios. By fusing such ligatures with pure gold, they achieve the desired color of the product and improve its technical characteristics.In addition to copper and silver, gold alloys can include platinum, zinc, palladium and nickel, which also add certain beneficial properties to gold products.

Currently, master jewelers are able to make gold jewelry of almost any color: from traditional yellows to greens, purples and even blacks, however, the "classics of the genre" to this day are gold jewelry made of metal with a rich yellow hue.

The quantitative content of this precious metal in a gold alloy is reflected in its fineness - that is, in the percentage of gold as the main component. The most common is 585 test - this indicator means that this sample contains 58.5% of this precious metal and 41.5% of other metals. In other words, there are 585 parts of gold per 1000 parts of the alloy. In Russia, they use just such a probing system. The test is applied in the form of a stamp or impression on the inner surface of the decoration. Foreign jewelers can use the carat system.

The cost of a gold piece depends on the height of the sampleas well as from the quality of the alloying substances present. For example, gold jewelry made of white gold, which contains platinum, has a rather large value. In addition to the widespread 585 test (such products are distinguished by high plasticity and good strength, due to which they are very versatile), there is also 750 sample... Products made from such a gold alloy are more expensive due to the high content of noble metal in its composition. Such jewelry is much more durable and durable.

Gold below 585 standard is not used in jewelry, because the content of noble metal in such alloys is too small, and products from it are obtained of too low quality: they very quickly lose their original decorative properties.

The amount of silver affects the color of the metal: This decoration can be in different shades, from light and lemon yellow to rich yellow. Silver gives the product greater hardness. Red gold jewelry due to the copper included in the alloy, the amount of which prevails here over silver. The more copper is present in a piece, the more intense its red tint.

Thus, despite the same fineness of gold, products made from it differ both in color and in their characteristics. What is the difference between the yellow and red grades of this noble metal? Let's compare these two most popular types.

Yellow gold obtained by adding a ligature of silver and copper, which may be present in equal amounts. Yellow gold jewelry has excellent quality and noble "sunny" color. By reducing the amount of copper and adding silver, products of lighter shades are obtained. Such jewelry is usually not encrusted with precious stones, with the exception of diamonds. They are worn only on the most solemn occasions; such products are highly expensive.

Red gold jewelry obtained by adding a fairly large amount of copper to the alloy. These products are very durable and malleable, and it is convenient to make various jewelry from them, including those with precious stones. It was this grade of 585 assay that was the only one from which jewelry was made in the Soviet Union.

In order to decide for yourself the question of what color jewelry - yellow or red, you should choose, you need to understand for what purposes it is purchased... You can buy a product that will become your constant companion - you will wear it at home and at work, at school and college, on weekdays and on holidays. Either you are going to impress your girlfriends or the chosen one by appearing in a stunning expensive piece of jewelry at a gala evening or at the theater. For each of the described cases, the choice will be different.

Due to its durability and relatively low price, for everyday wear, it is better to choose a red gold jewelry: it is much stronger, there are no scratches on it, you can even wash in the shower in earrings made of this type of precious metal. Yellow gold jewelry is often inlaid with various precious stones. You can pick up earrings with topaz or cubic zirconia inserts for a ring or necklace, decorated with the same minerals - such a set will look perfect even in a festive setting.

If you buy a watch, it is best to opt for a product made of red gold. - it will serve for many years without losing its original gloss.

Currently golden yellow jewelry is at the peak of popularity... Traditionally, it is customary to give wedding rings made of this noble metal - the yellow color symbolizes love, loyalty and prosperity. Jewelry made of yellow gold is distinguished by a minimalistic design, such jewelry is usually devoid of inlays in the form of precious or semiprecious stones, or costs only a minimal amount. Transparent or translucent minerals of warm colors, such as chrysolite, yellow sapphire or spinel, are perfect for this type of gold jewelry.

This view is perfect suits any skin color, jewelry made from it is distinguished by elegance and sophistication, such exquisite expensive things are able to emphasize the individual beauty of their owner.

It should be remembered that with the help of gold jewelry, you can not only draw attention to yourself, create your own individual style, but also correct some of the imperfections of the face. It is only necessary to choose the right design of the gold jewelry, as well as the color of the precious metal from which it is made.

For more information on red and yellow gold, see the next video.