
22 Jan What is Colored Gold in Fine Jewelry?
When most people think of gold, they imagine its classic, sunlit yellow hue — a symbol of wealth and beauty that has been revered for centuries. However, gold is much more versatile than its traditional image suggests. Through the art of alloying, San Diego custom jewelers like C. Blackburn Jewelers in La Jolla can transform gold into a stunning spectrum of colors, each with its own unique allure and characteristics.
Colored gold isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also a testament to craftsmanship and innovation. By blending gold with other metals, bespoke jewelers create shades that range from the cool elegance of white gold to the romantic glow of rose gold and even the rare, striking tones of green, blue, and purple. These variations allow jewelry to reflect individual style, personality, and even history.
So, let’s explore the world of colored gold and discover what makes each shade special.

White Gold
White gold is a blend of pure gold with white metals like nickel, palladium, or manganese, creating a sleek, silvery hue that has become a modern favorite. Its surface is typically plated with rhodium, a reflective and durable metal, which enhances its brightness and helps prevent tarnishing.
This versatile metal is widely used in jewelry, from engagement rings and wedding bands to earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and luxury watches. Its neutral tone complements diamonds and other gemstones beautifully, making it a popular choice for both everyday wear and statement pieces.
The hardness of white gold depends on the alloy; nickel-based alloys are strong and ideal for items like rings and bracelets, while palladium-based ones are softer and perfect for intricate designs or gemstone settings. Its popularity surged in the early 20th century as an alternative to platinum, and it remains a timeless choice today.
Whether used alone or in multi-tone designs with yellow or rose gold, white gold offers a clean, sophisticated aesthetic that never goes out of style. Its versatility and understated elegance make it a staple in women’s fine jewelry boxes.

Rose Gold
Rose gold, also known as pink or red gold, is a captivating alloy of gold and copper, cherished for its romantic and warm hues. Its blush tones are directly influenced by the copper content in the mixture: the higher the copper percentage, the deeper the red color. Typically, rose gold consists of 75% gold and 25% copper for red gold, while rose and pink gold often include small amounts of silver to soften the tone.
The history of rose gold adds to its charm. It gained prominence in 19th-century Russia, where it was widely used in opulent jewelry, earning the nickname “Russian gold.” It also was featured in many Art Deco jewelry creations by American jewelry designers during the 1920’s and 30’s.
After a period of obscurity, rose gold has seen a revival in recent decades, becoming a favorite for engagement rings, wedding bands, and vintage-inspired designs (which Carl Blackburn helped popularize in the early 2000s). Its distinctive color exudes elegance and individuality, appealing to those seeking a softer alternative to traditional yellow or white gold.
Rose gold is prized for its versatility, as its warm tones complement a variety of gemstones, including diamonds, morganite, and sapphires. It suits all skin tones, making it universally flattering and highly desirable in fine jewelry. Whether featured in solitaire rings, stackable bands, or intricate vintage-style pieces, rose gold continues to captivate with its timeless beauty.

Green Gold
Green gold, also known as electrum in its natural form, offers a subtle, enchanting alternative to traditional yellow gold. By blending gold with silver, jewelers create a pale greenish-yellow hue that is both understated and unique. Copper or zinc is often added to modern green gold alloys for added strength, ensuring durability in jewelry pieces.
Historically, green gold held a special place in ancient civilizations. It was used in Egyptian and Greek jewelry, where its natural tones were prized for their resemblance to the colors of the earth and foliage. Today, it remains a niche choice, beloved for its rarity and ability to add contrast in multi-toned jewelry designs.
The soft green hue of this alloy pairs beautifully with white, yellow, and rose gold, creating dynamic and artistic designs. Green gold is typically used as an accent in rings, pendants, and brooches, where its subtle color enhances the vibrancy of gemstones or other gold tones. Though less common than other gold alloys, green gold is an excellent choice for those seeking jewelry that’s both distinctive and steeped in history.

Intermetallic Compounds and Plating
Exotic gold colors like purple, blue, and black take the concept of colored gold to bold and artistic heights. Unlike traditional gold alloys, these colors are achieved through intermetallic compounds or surface treatments, offering rare and striking options for jewelry lovers.
Purple gold, or amethyst gold, is created by combining gold with aluminum. Composed of about 80% gold, this alloy has a vivid purple hue but is extremely brittle, making it unsuitable for shaping into jewelry. Instead, it is often cut and faceted like a gemstone, serving as a decorative highlight in unique designs.
Blue gold is an equally fascinating material, formed by blending gold with indium or gallium. While it creates an eye-catching metallic blue, its fragility limits its use to surface plating or small accents.
Black gold is a show-stopping choice achieved through various techniques, including electroplating with black rhodium, laser treatments, or patination with sulfur compounds. The result is a bold, modern aesthetic often used in avant-garde jewelry or to contrast with brightly colored gemstones.
While purple, blue, and black gold remain rare, they symbolize the innovative spirit of modern jewelry design. These unconventional shades are most often used as highlights in multi-colored gold pieces, offering a sense of individuality and artistic flair.

Create Custom Colored Gold Jewelry
From the cool sophistication of white gold to the enchanting warmth of rose gold and the exotic hues of purple and blue, colored gold expands the creative possibilities of fine jewelry. Whether you prefer timeless classics or daring modern designs, there’s a gold shade to match your style and story.
Contact La Jolla jewelry designer Carl Blackburn to discuss the making of your colored gold jewelry, be it a custom engagement ring, wedding band, diamond bracelet, statement earrings, or pendant necklace. Carl welcomes all types of fine jewelry making projects, and can provide options to match most any budget.
Call 858-251-3006 or send Carl a text message at 619-723-8589. You may also send an email by using the contact form below.