Purple gold is a rare and unique type of gold alloy with a distinctive color. This beginner’s guide will explain what makes purple gold special, how it gets its color, and more.
Overview of Purple Gold
Purple gold, also known as aurome, is an alloy made by mixing gold with aluminum. The proportion is typically 78.5% gold and 21.5% aluminum. This alloy forms a crystalline structure that reflects light to give purple gold its distinctive violet, pinkish, or raspberry tone.
The color comes from the way the gold and aluminum atoms are arranged in the alloy’s crystal lattice structure. As the gold cools after melting with aluminum, the atoms form an orderly pattern that interacts with light to produce the purple color.
“Purple gold’s unique color comes from the crystalline structure formed when gold and aluminum are mixed together.”
Pure gold by itself is yellow, but when combined with certain metals like aluminum, the optical properties change to create stunning colors like purple.
- Purple gold jewelry is made by expert jewelers carefully alloying gold (18-22kt) with aluminum, typically 78.5% gold and 21.5% aluminum.
- The purple color comes from the specific crystalline structure that forms when gold and aluminum atoms arrange themselves in an orderly pattern as the alloy cools.
- Typical purple gold alloy ratios are 78.5% gold to 21.5% aluminum. Precise ratios and expert mixing methods are essential to achieve the best color.
- Natural amethyst gems have a true purple color unlike the more raspberry/pinkish tones of purple gold. The colors are noticeably different up close.
- Reputable online jewelry store like, Lee Hwa Jewellery sell high-end purple gold pieces for those seeking the lavish metal.
Unique Properties
In addition to its beautiful color, purple gold has some unique properties:
- Brittle – Purple gold is quite brittle and rigid compared to pure gold. It cannot be worked or reshaped like regular gold.
- Durable – Despite being brittle, purple gold is remarkably durable and retains its color extremely well. The gold content resists tarnishing.
- Rare – Due to the difficulty working with it, purple gold is exceptionally rare and few jewelry pieces are crafted from it.
- Density – With 21.5% aluminum, purple gold is less dense than pure gold or white gold alloys.
how to make purple gold
To create purple gold, gold must be melted with aluminum. But simply melting the metals together does not guarantee a vibrant color. Getting the perfect purple requires careful control of the process.
Here are some key steps:
- Melt gold and add precise amounts of aluminum
- Mix thoroughly to form alloy
- Cool slowly and crystallize to maximize purple color
- Remove casting impurities and oxides
Controlling temperature and minimizing oxidation is also critical to achieve a clean, vivid purple. Even slight errors in mixing can result in dull or off-color results.
is purple gold more expensive than gold
Purple gold is a rare and expensive alloy of gold and aluminum that has a purple hue. According to Luciteria, a website that sells elements and alloys, purple gold costs $15 per gram, while gold costs $64.47 per gram.
Therefore, purple gold is much cheaper than gold, but it is also very brittle and difficult to work with. Purple gold is mainly used for jewelry and decoration, but it is not as popular or widely available as other gold alloys.
Uses of Purple Gold
Because of its rarity and delicate nature, purple gold is most often used for jewelry like rings, pendants, and earrings. The vibrant, regal color makes it perfect for stunning statement pieces.
While too brittle for extensive reshaping, skilled jewelers can craft detailed purple gold items through meticulous casting and molding techniques. Over decades, experienced artisans in Europe and Asia have produced exquisite purple gold jewelry.
Conclusion
Purple gold’s rich hue and mystique have captivated jewelers for centuries. By understanding the science behind its distinctive color and the care required in its creation, even beginners can appreciate the beauty and allure of this rare precious metal. Add some regal elegance to your jewelry collection with stunning purple gold accessories.
The unique properties and meticulous production of purple gold make it a mesmerizing precious material to incorporate into high-end jewelry designs. This guide provides newcomers with a helpful introduction to the purple gold making process and its dazzling results.
FAQs:
How much does purple gold cost compared to regular gold?
Purple gold is significantly more expensive than regular yellow gold. The extra processing required to create the alloy and its rarity result in prices 2-4 times higher than gold in jewelry.
Is purple gold found naturally or is it man-made?
Purple gold does not occur naturally. It is an alloy man-made by combining gold and aluminum, so purple gold jewelry requires deliberate alloying by jewelers.
What karats can you get purple gold in?
Purple gold is typically created as 18-22 karat. Anything lower than 18 karat would dilute the gold content too much for a vibrant purple. Higher karat versions up to 24 karats are possible but extremely rare and expensive.
Can you mix other metals with gold to get different colors?
Yes, mixing specific metals like copper, silver, palladium, etc. with gold in different proportions can create various colored gold alloys like rose gold, white gold, blue gold, and others. But purple gold only comes from aluminum.
What are some ways to test real purple gold jewelry?
To test for authenticity, jewelers check markings for gold karat level, test density and weight compared to gold, examine intricate casting details, or use chemical testing kits to verify gold content. Natural surface imperfections also indicate real handmade purple gold.
Last modified: January 21, 2024
