Native green gold was known to the ancient Greeks under the name “electrum”: it was from it that in the 7th century BC. e. The first coins in history were minted. It is usually called an alloy, but in fact it is an intermetallic compound with properties similar to minerals. Silver gives it resistance to abrasion, but it remains ductile and retains a noble shine.
Depending on the percentage of Ag (from 10 to 40%), the color of native electrum varied from greenish and yellow-green to silvery-white. In the 19th century, jewelers learned to recreate green gold, and its classic version is now considered an alloy of 75% Au and 25% Ag.
Ring with green gold stone
Today, in store windows you can find products of the entire green range: from almost imperceptible greenish to olive green. Modern jewelers use not only silver, but also other metals as tinting ligatures. Prices for green gold depend on:
- The same parameters by which jewelry made from traditional “solar metal” is evaluated - the market situation, purity of the sample.
- Composition. The most expensive alloy in the alloy is palladium - a platinum group metal; compositions with the addition of silver, copper and nickel, and alkali metals are cheaper.
Combined jewelry made of colored gold are more expensive than single-color ones, since their production is a labor-intensive process. The price increases for products with precious stones and exclusive designer products.
The history of green gold
Man learned about green gold several thousand years before our era.
The ancient peoples of the island of Crete mined this unusual ore, and then made it into jewelry, objects symbolizing religious idols, and much more. The precious green ore found by ancient people was called electrum. The composition included gold, silver (the ratio of which varied from 40 to 10%) and copper.
Green gold was also mined in ancient Lydia. There, wild ore was smelted into coins of the ruler Croesus, which had a yellow color with a greenish tint. Archaeologists date the origin of this money to the 6th century BC.
The idea of artificially recreating a noble green metal came to the minds of scientists already in the 19th century. It was then that all sorts of variations of alloys were developed, giving gold a grassy shade.
Green gold what is it
But today we will talk about green gold or electrum, which was used by the inhabitants of ancient Egypt and the Mediterranean coast. Electrum gets its name from the ancient Greek name for amber, as it has a brilliant yellow color with a green tint, often found in some varieties of the natural mineral.
It is a natural alloy of gold and silver. Deposits of this native gold were first found on the island of Crete, and then in other areas of the Mediterranean. As Pliny the Elder wrote, “all gold contains silver in varying quantities, when the share of silver is 55%, the metal is called electrum.” The inhabitants of pre-Columbian America also knew green gold, who widely used precious metals for ritual needs and knew how to make alloys of gold and silver
Electrum was first mentioned in the chronicles about the campaign of the Egyptian pharaoh of the V dynasty Sahura to the country of Punt (East Africa). The Egyptians, among other exotic goods, brought from there green gold, which was used to cover the tops of pyramids and obelisks so that they would shine with divine light in the sun; many of the famous jewelry of the pharaohs were made of electrum.
In the 6th century BC, the world's first gold coins with the royal seal on the obverse began to be produced in Lydia, in what is now Turkey. Coins found in excavations in the city of Ephesus on the site of the ancient Temple of Artemis proved that they were also made of electrum. It is believed that the first analysis of the percentage of gold in an alloy was carried out by Archimedes. The famous legend of taking a bath and exclaiming “Eureka” tells how a scientist was able to determine how much gold and how much silver was contained in coins brought in for testing.
What does it represent?
The only clear answer is this: it is an alloy of 750 or 585 gold with other metals that give it a greenish tint. There can be many such metals, therefore, in order to be called gold and be used in jewelry, they must meet certain requirements:
- the alloy must be inert, not oxidize in air and not react with substances, with a few exceptions;
- be flexible and also withstand certain types of stress that create internal stress, such as stretching and torsion;
- have hardness so that the edges remain polished;
- do not cause allergies.
These conditions immediately eliminate the two metals that give gold its truly green color: cadmium and rubidium. Rubidium is not suitable due to its chemical properties. For example, when it reacts with oxygen, it flares up. When alloyed with gold, it produces a metal that is too brittle to be used in jewelry. In addition, it can sometimes cause irritation upon contact with the skin.
Cadmium is not suitable due to its toxicity, therefore in Russia and the European Union it is prohibited to use it as an alloying metal. It should be noted that in some other countries it is legal to use cadmium to make jewelry. It is a silvery-white metal that causes a decrease in the melting point of metals and is often used in chemical reactions.
When inhaling vapors, a person can receive such a level of toxic substances that can even lead to death. When used in jewelry, it poses a greater danger when making jewelry than when wearing it. However, cadmium also accumulates in the body and is a carcinogen.
Necessary properties of electrum
In order for metal to be worked with, it must have certain characteristics. There are several requirements that electrum must meet:
- inertness to other substances. The alloy should not be subject to oxidation by oxygen. It is also important that the components do not react with other chemicals. Otherwise, the product will quickly lose its visual appeal. Therefore, when buying electrum jewelry, you need to make sure that it does not contain rubidium. It easily changes its structure when exposed to air, which will cause damage to the entire product;
- plasticity of the material. It is important that the metal from which the jewelry will be made can easily take the required shape;
- strength. The metal must be resistant to external mechanical influence. An electrum product that does not meet this requirement will be very fragile and will easily break from the slightest blow;
- hypoallergenic alloy. Green gold jewelry should not cause irritation, itching or other allergic reactions to its owner. For this reason, cadmium was excluded from the alloy composition.
General requirements for a group of metalloids
Since there are many variations, green gold has its own number of restrictions and requirements for the quality of raw materials. First of all, we are talking about human safety, therefore, from the main types used in jewelry, those that cause allergies and react with oxygen or other substances from the environment are excluded. Secondly, it is very important how the metal behaves in everyday use. It must be flexible enough to bend and be subject to torsion and decorative curves, but hard and durable enough to hold the shape of the polish. Alloys that do not comply with these points can be used in small quantities as an external insert for a particular object.
You can also look at green gold in photographs in various catalogues, but only “live” can you notice the beauty of the shimmer and the originality of the material. In addition to 750, the use of 585 is also allowed; you can verify the number on the jewelry stamp. If we take the carat as a unit of measurement, the indicators can be 10, 12, 14, 15, 18. To determine the price, gold is measured in grams.
Alloy composition
A metal that does not react with the environment is called precious. Various additions to gold are called alloys. They are introduced during melting. If the number of “ingredients” exceeds 2, it is possible to carry out the melting in stages, depending on the melting temperature for each of the additives. Green gold contains about 73-75% pure yellow precious metal, as well as about 25-27% fine silver. This is the “purest” version of the alloy. The result is a yellow-greenish color that does not have an exact color scheme, but shimmers in the light.
There are other combinations to achieve a more saturated color. If you add copper in the amount of 23% and cadmium (about 2%) to the same base 75% of gold, you get a light green color. With a base of 75% gold and the addition of 15% silver, 6% copper and 4% cadmium, a rich dark green color can be achieved. Soft is a compound of gold with 25% silver; this composition is most similar to electra, which contained a 2:1 proportion of metals.
The cadmium listed is not always used. It is a silvery-white soft metal that is often used in chemical reactions. It lowers the melting point of metals. It is worth considering that it can be dangerous to humans; inhaling its fumes can be fatal. However, when it is used in jewelry making, there is less to worry about. But it is worth understanding that it is a carcinogenic substance and tends to accumulate in the body. The most common combination without toxic cadmium is with 20% silver and 5% copper.
Alloys of gold with additives are called metalloids. As a rule, it is an alloy of 18-karat green gold. Adding nickel to gold produces a durable and beautiful material, but causes allergies in 2-3% of people, so this method is considered less cost-effective. Other materials can be used as additives - rubidium, zinc, alkali metals. They give the material an unusual color, but are not recommended for use due to toxicity. Some of them are harmful to the skin and therefore are prohibited for use in jewelry, remaining a decorative element only in some countries and in small areas of the product that are not tightly adjacent to the skin.
Green gold properties and characteristics
Gold acquires grassy tones due to inclusions of the following metals:
- Silver.
- Cadmium.
- Copper.
- Zinc.
- Potassium.
- Rubidium.
- Nickel.
The color saturation of green gold directly depends on the ligature used. The metal gets its light greenish tint from alloys: silver, potassium, nickel, zinc and copper. Additions of rubidium and cadmium give the gold a rich, bright green tone.
Despite the fact that green gold is very elegant and looks great in combination with any precious mineral, not all of its alloys are safe for the human body. So the precious metal, in combination with cadmium, is very toxic. It is not used in the jewelry industry in the Russian Federation and in most European countries.
There is no jewelry made of rich green gold in our country. For example, rubidium, which gives the alloy a bright grassy tint, turns it into a very fragile material that is not practical for daily wear.
A green precious metal, it is characterized as brittle, crumbly and difficult to process. For the most part, it is used by jewelers as additional decorations to the main product. The strongest metal is obtained in combination with silver, and only with strict adherence to proportions.
Composition characteristics and properties
According to Russian standards, a pure green precious metal is an alloy containing 25–27% silver and 73–75% gold. However, several other compositions are also allowed, which differ in color saturation:
- ZlSr 585-415: 58.5% gold, 41.5% silver;
- ZlSrM 585-300: 58.5% gold, 30.0% silver, 11.5% copper;
- ZlSr 750-250: 75.0% gold, 25% silver;
- ZlSrM 750-150: 75.0% gold, 15% silver, 10% copper.
Composition, characteristics and properties
A precious metal is one that does not deteriorate due to exposure to the environment. Everything that is added to the alloy to gold is called a ligature. Their introduction occurs gradually during melting.
If more than two metals are included, the addition process can be done in stages because different “ingredients” require different melting points.
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Depending on the ratio of the main gold metal, as well as the individual components included in the alloy, different gold shades are obtained:
- 73-75% pure gold and 25-27% silver. This is the highest quality alloy, having an incomprehensible yellow-green tint that shimmers in the light. If silver is exactly 25%, it is the softest metal, most reminiscent of electrum;
- 75% gold, 23% copper and 2% cadmium - the color of the alloy will be light green;
- 75% gold, 15% silver, 6% copper and 4% cadmium will turn the metal dark green.
Cadmium is not always included in the composition of alloys; it is more often used for the active occurrence of chemical reactions.
Despite its amazing appearance, unusual for humans, and beauty, green gold can cause harm to the body due to the individual elements that make up the ligature. So, cadmium releases a lot of toxic substances.
Jewelry containing it may pose a danger to humans. This does not manifest itself abruptly, but over time due to the properties of cadmium to accumulate in the body.
Therefore, jewelers in Russia and some other countries refused to work with alloys containing cadmium among the elements. The most popular combination is 75% pure yellow gold, 20% silver and 5% copper.
Other metal can be added to the alloy. For example, nickel, zinc, rubidium, various alkalis. But products containing them pose a threat to people. Thus, nickel can trigger the development of allergies. The other three components are highly toxic.
In our country you cannot find jewelry made of gold in a bright green shade. Rubidium, which enriches the color of gold, in addition to being toxic, turns it into a very fragile structure. It is not practical to wear products made from such metal every day.
The main characteristics of green gold are:
- fragility;
- porous structure that crumbles easily;
- difficult processing.
These three factors do not allow you to make a solid piece of jewelry that will contain only green metal. Therefore, for the most part, green gold is added in small quantities to alloys suitable for coining jewelry.
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About colors and samples
Gold is green in color, can be a rich deep shade or a delicate, light one. Jewelers advise giving preference to products in a light green color, since this tone gives the jewelry a charming appearance.
Jewelry experts claim that the bottle color in the alloy appears due to the influence of the following components:
- Silver
- Copper
- Nickel
- Rubidium
- Cadmium
Moreover, rubidium and cadmium play the main role in coloring. However, the first component makes the precious alloy brittle, and the second is highly toxic. If somewhere in Guatemala cadmium is added to a green gold alloy, then in the Russian Federation this is prohibited by law. Jewelers, in order not to break the law, add silver to the precious alloy. Of course, this component does not add saturation to the shade, but the gold turns out to be a beautiful color and, most importantly, absolutely safe.
Today there are two types of bottle-colored gold - 585 and 750. Both types of precious metal are used to make:
- Sereg,
- Medallions,
- Coulombs,
- Broshek,
- Chains,
- Bracelets
- Other jewelry.
History of the emergence of types of gold
It is no secret that gold is often used in alloys. In this case, at high temperatures, its particles are combined with a variety of additives to change the properties and appearance of the product. As a result, the metal can be made stronger, more resistant to damage, and more durable. Externally, the presence of impurities can be determined by the shade of gold. Its natural color is bright yellow. If the metal has a greyish, pinkish, purple, white or green tint, you have an alloy.
The peculiarity of green gold is that it was known in ancient times, in the 1st century BC. Jewelry and religious objects were made from it. The alloy included gold and silver in a certain proportion, and was called electra. Interest in such experiments with metal was revived much later, in the 19th century, and it was then that the combinations that are used in alloys to this day appeared.
Green gold color
The color of green gold can be either light or rich. Most often, in the windows of jewelry stores and in online catalogues, gold in light green tones predominates. The soft green color of such gold jewelry does not lose its natural brightness, so it looks especially charming.
Men's green gold ring with diamonds
Women's ring made of green gold with multi-colored stones
It is worth understanding that photos in jewelry catalogs cannot convey the real color of green gold. Only “live” can you appreciate the jewelry and notice all the subtleties of such an original color of the jewelry. When choosing green gold jewelry, it is best to try them on. Only in motion can you see the whole range of gold color of the jewelry and decide to buy it.
Basic shades
The shade of electrum can vary, but light green tones still predominate in jewelry stores. They look as natural and attractive as possible for most buyers.
The presence of copper in the composition provides a combination of yellow and green colors. The more impurities, the more clearly the contrast is visible.
However, the use of copper also has negative sides. Alloys based on the yellow noble metal with silver themselves have low strength and ductility.
With the addition of copper, these indicators deteriorate even more. As a result, the decoration becomes fragile and crumbles.
Green metal price
Green gold is a rare but popular metal today. It continues to be in demand among the fairer sex, who are partial to unusual jewelry. However, purchasing green gold jewelry in stores is not so easy.
Most often, they have to be ordered from photos in catalogs of famous jewelry houses. But a magazine image will not convey the true beauty of the product.
The price of gold is determined by the situation on the stock market, as well as what components are included in the alloys. If the jewelry contains palladium metal, it will be very expensive. It is cheaper to purchase a product that contains silver, nickel and other additives.
Compared to any other metals, the price of green metal is the highest due to its unusualness, sharpness, and fashionability. Thus, the cost of one gram of 750 green gold can reach 5,000 rubles.
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It is used to make rings, earrings, bracelets, chains, and is part of the metal from which medallions, watches, and brooches are cast. Gemstones of the corresponding shade are best suited to match the original color. These could be emeralds.
With their help, it is possible to convey the stunning play of light on the product. Such gold is a true treasure for any jeweler. It will more than justify all his efforts to make the jewelry. The gift will surprise and delight a woman, and for a young couple it will become a symbol of love and fidelity in the form of wedding rings.
How to identify toxic gold.
For many years, gold-toned products were made using toxic cadmium. Its share in jewelry was so small that the harmful effect on the body appeared only after many years of wearing the products.
Only a few years after the release of the first “green” jewelry, governments around the world drew attention to the dangers of such products and limited the production of jewelry that contained cadmium.
In Russia, restrictions on “green” gold alloys, with a ban on the use of cadmium, came only in 2000.
Safe green gold in the Russian Federation is designated by the following grades:
· ZlSr 585-415
(pronounced green color of the product);
· ZlSrM 585-300
(yellow gold with a faint green tint);
If the description of products with a characteristic shade does not contain similar information about the composition of metals, then such jewelry may be made with impurities of hazardous metals.
In Soviet Union
green gold had a similar marking, to which the designations ZlSrM 583-300 and ZlSr 583-417 were added for products of 583 standard (nowadays such a standard is not installed on jewelry).
Foreign-made green gold
and can still be manufactured
using toxic metals.
Some countries of the world have not yet abandoned such alloys. The only exceptions are products from European Union countries, where cadmium in jewelry is prohibited.
I really hope that the article was useful to you. You can read more about the properties, hallmarks and price per gram of green gold here.
Blue, green and other atypical shades of gold
For a long time, residents of our country understood gold as only one alloy: red. Any other shade caused bewilderment and comments like: “Is this really gold? It's a fake copy!"
But the years passed, and a wave of fashion for white, yellow, lemon and rose gold poured into the Russian market. Nowadays you won’t surprise anyone with jewelry made from these metals.
But jewelers know how to give surprises. Jewelry houses with big names make jewelry from gold of the most atypical shades.
Brown gold
Its creator is considered to be jeweler Fawaz Gruosi, founder of the de Grisogono brand. He is known to the world as a great inventor and experimenter. And, like many creators, he prefers to hide his technology for obtaining a chocolate shade of gold.
It is assumed that this shade appears by combining red and rose gold of various samples. The main “helpers” are nickel, copper, manganese, and iron. Or brown color is obtained by combining gold with copper, silver and palladium.
This shade of gold is most often found in watch parts; it is rarely used in the jewelry industry.
Purple gold
This shade, also called amethyst and lavender, is obtained by mixing gold with aluminum. The alloy itself is so weak that it is used only as a coating for jewelry.
Blue gold
Another shade of gold that is practically not used in jewelry is blue.
It is extremely difficult to obtain this color; technologies are known: either mixing gold with indium, or with cobalt, or with steel.
Also, blue gold, like black gold, is obtained using rhodium plating.
Black gold
You can get this shade by mixing pure gold with chromium and cobalt. But the manufacturing process is so complex that black gold of decent quality is rarely found. Therefore, jewelers resorted to a trick and offered customers white gold coated with black rhodium as black gold. It is important that the ring has texture. The rhodium plating quickly wears off from the smooth surface of the ring and the ring becomes white.
Green gold hallmark
Jewelry made from precious green metal is mostly 750 or 585. Alloys included in the alloy transform into a liquid state at different temperatures. Consequently, the alloy manufacturing process takes place in several steps.
In the karat system, precious metals are assigned markers: 18, 15, 14, 12 and 10.
The standards of the Russian Federation regulate four types of green gold, which are represented by the following alloys:
- 585 standard: gold 58.5%, silver 41.5%. Has a green color.
- 585 standard: gold 58.5%, silver 29.5%, copper 12%. It has a yellow color with a green tint.
- 750 standard: gold 75.5%, silver 24.5%. Has a green color.
- 750 standard: gold 75.5%, silver 14.5%, copper 10%. It has a yellow color with a green tint.
In Russia, both grades of green gold – 585 and 750 – are used only in the jewelry industry. 585 standard is used exclusively in the manufacture of jewelry: pendants, earrings, chains, bracelets, watches, cufflinks, tie clips, brooches and much more. 750 standard is intended not only for the manufacture of jewelry, but also souvenirs. Also great for precious items with enamel coating.
What is the purity of green gold?
In our country, electrum is presented in two hallmarks: 585 and 750. Gold leaf, used for gilding, belongs to a separate category. It is marked with 960 breakdown.
Fake colored gold. Rules for choosing jewelry with a green tint
In Russia, electrum is counterfeited as often as other types of precious metals. Professional jewelers advise following several rules when purchasing jewelry:
- check the stamp and hallmark (the original may only have 585 or 750);
- check the connecting fasteners. On fake products, the coating peels off precisely at the joints;
- Magnet check. If it attracts the product, then it is made of ordinary steel;
- iodine test. The reagent is dropped onto a part of the product, observing the chemical reaction. If a drop of iodine does not lighten, but after drying remains the same dark, then the jewelry is not fake;
- precious metal is heavier than counterfeit. This should be kept in mind when checking a product for authenticity. However, this method only works when evaluating massive products;
- buy products from well-known brands in salons with a good reputation. In addition, experts strongly do not recommend purchasing jewelry made of precious metals in online stores. It is very difficult to determine the authenticity of the product from the image on the monitor, and, according to Russian law, it will be impossible to return it to the seller.
Rules for choosing jewelry with a green tint
More about products
In Guatemala, a spice called cardamom is very popular. This plant is even called green gold, since exports bring the lion's share of profits to Guatemalans. In our country, green gold is a special alloy of precious material. And although, due to stereotypical thinking, products made from this metal are not very popular, jewelers still offer an assortment of jewelry with a green tint.
Green gold ring with stone
A green gold ring framed with green stones looks elegant and original. Jewelers offer rings with green amethysts, agates, and emeralds. In eastern countries, bottle-colored agate is considered a symbol of masculinity and bravery. Thanks to the chlorides that make up the agate stone, the shade of the mineral changes from light to rich.
There is no emerald-colored amethyst in nature, but after chemical treatment, the natural purple mineral acquires a green color. The best settings for this stone are traditional yellow, white or bottle-colored gold and silver. Amethyst rings are recommended to be given to men as a talisman against drunkenness. Green amethyst in gold looks amazing, which is confirmed by the photo.
If you want to protect a loved one from vision impairment, give a green gold bracelet decorated with emeralds. For a long time, this stone was considered healing. The unparalleled beauty and healing properties make this mineral one of the most sought after. And in combination with green gold, emerald looks even more attractive. Gold in green stones looks mesmerizing, as we can see by looking at the photo.
Jewelry requirements
Processing green gold requires high-level craftsmanship, patient work, knowledge and experience from the jeweler. That is why jewelers have certain requirements for this capricious alloy.
First of all, the metal must be passive to chemical reactions with air and other substances that are easily accessible to the average person in everyday life. For example, gold in combination with rubidium or cadmium has a negative impact on human health and can even leave a chemical burn on the skin.
Green metal must have sufficient ductility and resistance to mechanical stress. Otherwise, the jewelry will turn out to be very short-lived. The alloy must also have sufficient hardness to successfully undergo jewelry processing.
Very rarely, jewelers can use nickel as a ligature to obtain a precious green alloy. This metal simultaneously gives gold the strength needed for processing and a grassy tone. But when wearing such jewelry every day, there is a small percentage of the likelihood of allergic reactions.
Decorations
Such gold is not in great demand in our country. The reason lies in stereotypical thinking. Residents of the post-Soviet space often have the opinion that this noble metal should be yellow or have a slightly reddish tint. Other colors, including even white, are associated with jewelry. This is especially due to the fact that not everyone around will be able to understand that the product is made of gold, which, as it were, reduces the status of its owner.
A variety of jewelry is made from it, using the metal both to make the entire product and in the form of small inserts. Unlike other unusual flowers, it is malleable and malleable to produce a wide variety of shapes. If green gold is used, then it is used only as inserts, since its characteristics are low; in addition, it can be toxic or cause allergies.
Often on the jewelry market you can find jewelry that is a combination of two or more alloys. Pairing regular gold with an alloy or intermetallic of a different color, especially those that contrast with each other, makes jewelry brighter and more attractive. Since such a process is costly and more labor-intensive, jewelry is more expensive.
The price of gold jewelry corresponds to that with a green tint, of course, if we are talking about alloys that are made in accordance with GOST standards. If other metals are used or the production technology is different, then the price increases accordingly. Often jewelry is complemented with natural stones such as diamond, emerald, Dresden diamond or demantoid. Such jewelry can be much more expensive due to the high cost of these stones.
Green gold looks great in jewelry of any kind, earrings, bracelets, rings and others. It makes the image unusual, although, unfortunately, it is not suitable for everyone and not for any color of clothing. But the jewelry is rare and has its own zest. Buying green gold is recommended for people who love everything unusual, but at the same time high-quality.
Use of metal
Jewelers use this material to make a wide variety of jewelry: rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings, brooches, clips, hair accessories, cufflinks, necklaces and chains.
18k green gold is also used as the basis for souvenirs, awards, orders, corporate badges and enamel products. Unlike many other types of colored gold, it can be used as a base for jewelry. Jewelry made from this unusual alloy looks very exotic and seems to glow with a soft greenish light.
Unfortunately, only dull versions of electrum can be used to create an entire ring or bracelet. Mixtures with a deep green tint are usually too brittle or toxic to be useful. Nevertheless, inserts, overlays and individual elements of jewelry are sometimes made from them.
The combination of several types of green gold with each other, as well as their combination with other alloys and intermetallic compounds of different shades, looks very beautiful. The contrast between the two metals makes the jewelry unusual, and the harmonious combination of colors gives it tenderness. At the same time, a product made of such gold will almost never look too bright or vulgar, unlike classic yellow jewelry, which is quite easy to “overload”.
The noble green metal also goes well with many precious, semi-precious and decorative stones: from emeralds and sapphires to quartz and crystal. They can be used either as small inserts or as the main element, the beauty of which will be emphasized by a more modest-looking metal.
Plant and floral motifs are very popular in electrum products. Often in jewelry you can see inserts in the form of leaves, stems, tree crowns, vines, twigs, grapes, and so on. But there are also more austere works without any additional decorations.
Green gold is a rather rare and unusual material , which is why mass production of jewelry made from it is rare. Most of the jewelry is unique handicrafts by various craftsmen, which adds even more value and exoticism to it. However, an inexperienced person can easily mistake them for jewelry, which is the main reason for the low popularity of the alloy.
Gold price
The price of this material is approximately the same as the cost of other alloys of 750 and 585 gold. According to the exchange rate of the National Bank of Russia, it is about 2.5-3 thousand rubles per gram and varies depending on the composition of impurities and the general situation on the market. In jewelry, the price of green gold will be slightly higher than yellow, white or red, since it is less common and more difficult to work with.
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As part of rings, chains, pendants and bracelets, the cost of the alloy ranges from 6-7 thousand rubles per gram and more. But it is worth remembering that the price of jewelry depends not only on the weight of the metal, but also on the complexity of the work and the required qualifications of the jeweler. Gemstones or inclusions of other materials, such as platinum, can also add value.
In Moscow and Russia, it is quite difficult to find products made of green gold: the material is not very popular among the population and it is not possible to sell it profitably.
Green gold jewelry
In the Russian Federation, at this point in time, green gold still remains unrecognized by the consumer. Russian people are very accustomed to the idea that gold is necessarily a yellow or reddish color. Many of our compatriots believe that jewelry made of multi-colored gold resembles ordinary costume jewelry in its appearance. But such an opinion is far from the truth and completely goes against modern trends in jewelry fashion.
This noble metal with a light grassy tint is used by skilled jewelers to make chains, bracelets, pendants, earrings, rings, brooches, cufflinks and tie clips. Metal of a bright green tone, due to its fragility, is partially included in jewelry. It is used to make decorative inserts in earrings, rings, pendants and much more.
The alloy is green in color and has an exceptional quality that blends harmoniously with any metal. So, in company with gold of a different shade, it turns jewelry into a real embodiment of sophistication and beauty. However, making such products costs a lot of work for the craftsman. That is why their price is much higher than that of jewelry made from a homogeneous metal.
Combination of white and green gold
Interest in jewelry made from different types of precious materials increases every year. For example, a bracelet made of white gold and green gold looks elegant. Previously, jewelers used nickel to produce white gold. But, later it was found that this component causes allergic reactions. Therefore, nickel was replaced by palladium, which gives the metal softness. Thanks to its softness, products made from this material are delicate and elegant. Well, in combination with green gold, the white precious metal looks even more magnificent.
Green gold price
The price of green gold is, by and large, the same as the price of regular gold of the same standard. As of June 2021, this is approximately 3,100 rubles per 1 gram of the 750th sample and 2,400 rubles per 1 gram of the 585th sample. But we also need to take into account the cost of the master’s work. Indeed, due to the fragility and other difficulties in processing electrum, products made from it will cost more.
Today on the market, and especially in online trading, there are a lot of counterfeit goods. The same trends can be seen in the jewelry trade. According to statistics, out of 10 jewelry, 4 will be fake. Therefore, you should make such expensive purchases only in trusted stores and preferably after consultation with a highly qualified specialist whom you trust.
Differences from fakes
In the Russian Federation, under the guise of noble metal, they very often try to sell fakes at an inflated price. This is due to the fact that the average consumer is poorly familiar with the qualities and properties of this type of colored gold, and therefore is not able to recognize deception. Statistics say that approximately 4 out of 10 products are fakes, so you need to buy green gold with extreme caution. To distinguish real material from a fake, you should pay attention to the following details:
- Color. Jewelry that is dominated by rich and bright shades of green is either fake or made from alloys with toxic impurities, so you shouldn’t buy them. Classic electrum has a light yellow-greenish tint, the saturation of which depends on the content of silver and copper.
- Marking. The product must have a stamp mark indicating 585 or 750. If it is not there, then the data on the material used has not been verified or confirmed by anyone.
- Impact resistance. Fake gold tarnishes very quickly when exposed to alcohol, iodine or even salt water, while real gold does not interact with these substances in any way.
- Reaction to a magnet. The alloy should not contain impurities of iron, steel and other similar materials, therefore even a slight attraction to a magnet indicates that it is a fake.
- Condition of moving parts. For items made from fake gold, they wear out very quickly and lose color, so before purchasing, you should definitely look at all their clasps, clasps, hanging parts and links.
- Weight. Usually fake products are lighter than genuine ones. However, it will be difficult for an ordinary buyer without a jewelry scale to notice the difference unless we are talking about a whole bar or a very large piece of jewelry.
It is best to buy green gold from trusted manufacturers who enjoy the trust of customers. After purchasing, it is advisable to submit the metal for examination to find out the exact composition of the alloy. Only experienced jewelers who are already familiar with its properties and qualities should be trusted to make jewelry from this expensive material.
How to recognize a fake
Modern statistics show that in 100% of cases of purchasing gold products, 40% of them turn out to be fake. This noble metal has a high cost, is an excellent investment and always looks impressive as a decoration. Therefore, in case of fraud, there are enough reasons for disappointment. If you doubt the authenticity of a product, it is better to have it examined by a certified jeweler. However, you can check whether your gold is real at home.
First of all, check the sample stamp. For green gold, it should be marked “750” or “585”. Then examine the joints of the product parts. On fakes, the gilding in moving places wears off very quickly.
A magnet is perfect for checking the authenticity of grass-colored gold. The alloy must not react in any way to a magnetic field. You can also try a gold piece for “bite”. Teeth imprints will definitely remain on real precious metal.
The latest developments in green gold production
More recently, English scientists have discovered a method for making green gold without resorting to alloys. Optical research played a significant role in this discovery.
During the production of green metal, its surface is given a relief structure. The greater the ratio of the area of the ingot and the number of its irregularities, the more the reflective and refractive characteristics of the precious metal change. Depending on the surface structure of gold, a person begins to see it as green, blue, red or pink.
This technology is not yet perfect, and is currently only applicable to large-sized gold products or bars. But when processing metal with a large area, it really works wonders. Using this technology, gold can acquire not only a uniform color of any shade, but also become multi-colored or patterned.
Sample and composition
In most countries, green gold is produced in 750 (18 karat) and 585 (14 karat) samples. Its composition may vary significantly depending on the manufacturer. Common variations of ligatures:
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- 15% silver and 10% copper. A classic version of the alloy, products from which have a characteristic greenish-yellow color. It is most often used for making entire jewelry.
- 29.5% silver and 12% copper. It has a yellow color with a greenish tint.
- 25% silver. A light green alloy, most similar in its properties to natural electrum. It is used to create not only jewelry, but also souvenirs, as well as items with enamel coating.
- 38% silver and 3.5% palladium. This alloy has a light light green tint, which is given to gold by silver additives. In the Russian Federation, GOST also regulates an option with 41.5% silver, but such an alloy is already beginning to acquire a grayish color.
- 30% silver, 8% copper and 3.5% rubidium. A very beautiful metal with a rich bright green color. It is extremely fragile, difficult to process and wears out very quickly, which is why it is almost never used to create entire jewelry. It is used for making decorative inserts in rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants; it goes well with various precious metals and stones. May cause irritation in direct contact with skin. Not approved in Russia.
- 30% silver, 3.5% nickel and 8% copper. An alloy with an olive tint. It has good strength and is easy to handle, but in approximately one in eight cases it causes allergic reactions when worn for long periods of time. Like an alloy with the addition of rubidium, it is not used in the Russian Federation.
- 23% copper and 2% cadmium. Option with light green color. Since cadmium is toxic, its use as a ligature is prohibited in the Russian Federation and EU countries, but in other countries such an alloy is sometimes used to create elements that do not come into contact with the skin.
- 15% silver, 6% copper and 4% cadmium. A very nice looking metal with a rich dark green color. Banned in Russia and the EU, as it can cause allergic reactions and even chemical burns. It has a high melting point and is difficult to manufacture, since cadmium vapor is very poisonous.
- 29.25% silver, 11.25% copper and 1% zinc. Bright green alloy with a silver tint. Should not be used in enamel products as it contains zinc.
- 20.75% silver, 0.25% zinc and 3% copper. The metal is a rich dark emerald color. It is considered the alloy with the deepest green color of all 750 samples.
Different compositions of green gold differ from each other in characteristics and, therefore, in price, therefore the percentage of alloys and proportions of additives should be checked with the manufacturer. It should be taken into account that the GOST of the Russian Federation only approves compositions of 750 and 585 samples with the addition of silver and copper, therefore products with a rich green color are most likely fakes.
In other countries, there are variations of the gold alloy with hallmarks of 10, 12, 15 and 19 carats. They add zinc, nickel, potassium, palladium and other impurities that give the precious metal the necessary properties.
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There is also gold leaf, which is used to cover products with the thinnest greenish-yellow film. For its production, tinting ligatures are required.
