Red gold - how it differs from 585 yellow gold: composition, properties and demand among Russian buyers

In ancient times, gold was tested in the simplest and most reliable way. He was heated over the fire. If the metal sparkles with a red tint, it means the product is real. This is where they came up with a similar shade of the previously yellow metal. In order to achieve a rich color, a ligature containing copper and zinc is added to the composition. Thanks to these materials, red gold is obtained, which, in addition to its appearance, receives improved characteristics. Products made from it look luxurious and noble.

Back in Tsarist Russia, a lot of red gold was produced. But then, this shade of metal was used only for finishing coins. The purity of the glory was almost 90%; now such ancient coins are equivalent to 900 purity.

• Red gold in the modern world
• Red gold alloys
• The difference between red gold and yellow gold
• Red rings
• Red gold price
• Caring for red gold
• conclusions

Red gold: sample, composition and method of production

Gold is a soft metal, so when working with it, various impurities of other metals are certainly added to the alloy. They are the ones who give the final color.

Earrings with stones made of red gold
The precious metal can be white if palladium and platinum are present in the alloy, or it can be black if the method of melting with chromium and cobalt was used. It turns red when copper and zinc are added to the alloy composition.

This metal is represented on the Russian markets in 375, 583, 585, 750 samples.

It is obtained by smelting alloying elements using ore. The higher the copper content, the stronger the red color. Typically this alloy contains 75% gold and 25% copper, but zinc is often added to it to achieve greater variation in shades.

Table

Why is red gold called red gold?

Probably not many people have seen gold chervonets, but almost everyone has certainly heard about such coins. Chervonets were used in Tsarist Russia until the country was transformed into the USSR. The coin owes its name to the red tint of the alloy that copper produced. Its content in the composition was consistently more than 15%.

It is precisely because of the identical shades that the red precious metal is sometimes mistakenly called red. In fact, modern red gold is a metal of over 900 fineness.

Gold mining

About 100 years ago, people had absolutely no idea how to properly find and mine gold. They trusted their intuition and good vision. Today everything has changed. The deposits of the element are known, and where exactly it is formed.

Over the entire period, more than 160 thousand tons of gold were mined.

Leading countries

For a long time, the Republic of South Africa was considered the leader, but today it is China. Second place is occupied by Australia, and third place by Russia. The USA, Canada, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico and others also retain their positions.

Known mine deposits

• Muruntau, which is located in Uzbekistan and is the largest deposit. It was discovered in 1958, but mining began for the first time in 1969.
• Goldstrike in the USA. Each year, approximately 124,000 ounces of the precious metal are mined from this deposit. The first production began in 1986.
• Pueblo Viejo (Dominican Republic)

In Russia, gold reserves are estimated at 12.5 tons, but more than half of them are of industrial importance. The most famous mining sites include Sukhoi Log, Berezovskoye and Vorontsovskoye. If there are 2-5 grams of gold per 1 ton of rock, then mining is carried out.

Properties of red gold

The red precious metal is loved by jewelry brands such as Tiffany and Cartier for its respectable appearance and excellent melting characteristics. For the average person, such properties of metal as the ability to have a beneficial effect on the body play an important role.

It has been proven that wearing products containing copper helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs and helps cope with various diseases.

The precious metal is notable for other properties, including:

Red gold chain

Increased wear resistance

Jewelry made from red gold is extremely durable, resistant to mechanical damage and able to retain any shape.

White gold

A good alternative to platinum is white gold. This material is popular and has an elegant appearance. Jewelers often combine it with pearls, diamonds or other stones. Such decorations attract attention and admiring glances.

The composition may contain nickel, but it can cause allergies. When purchasing, it is worth studying the components from which the jewelry is made.

Main advantages

1. Always in fashion. Such decorations will be relevant even after decades.
2. The products are original. They are characterized by an unusual shape and a complex design solution.
3. Status. If a person can afford expensive white gold jewelry, then this speaks of his lifestyle and high status.

Widespread use of red gold

Red alloys are in great demand in the world. They have found application in the following areas:

Contact coating in electronics

Gold does not oxidize in air, so it is sometimes used for light coating of electrical contacts. It can also be used on various components, such as CPU pins or cell phone button membrane wires.

The red precious metal is used to protect conductors from corrosion, but mainly in the military industry.

Nickel is often used as a cheap substitute for gold.

Gold plating of board contacts

Jewelry industry

The largest area of ​​application of the red alloy is, of course, jewelry. Jewelry designers call all products that contain shades of this color red gold.

This metal is used for gilding various elements and making individual jewelry. In store windows you can see various earrings, chains, bracelets, rings, brooches, and other products made from this alloy.

Red gold is suitable for both everyday life and special occasions. It looks great with white and tanned skin.

Red gold wedding rings

Chemical and physical properties

Gold is not susceptible to the influence of aggressive environments and substances and does not react. Since the noble metal does not oxidize, it is widely used in many fields.

In its pure form, this material has a rich yellow color and has a soft but dense consistency.

When creating a ball from 1 kg of gold, you will get a sphere with a diameter of 46.2 mm.

Pure gold works well and is easy to forge. But due to softness, impurities from different materials are added.

Which gold is better and more expensive: red or yellow? Reasons for the popularity of red gold in Russia

The popularity of the red metal in Russia can be explained from a historical point of view. During the Soviet Union, it was possible to purchase only 583 samples, which were distinguished by a characteristic red tint.

Now the demand for the precious metal is explained by its attractive appearance and reasonable cost.

The cost of the product will be influenced by the sample, the presence of impurities, the originality of the jewelry and the presence of precious stones, but not the color itself. Yellow metal is more universally suitable for clothing items, but this is a matter of personal taste.

Yellow gold

Many people associate wealth with yellow gold. Such jewelry goes perfectly with any stones and suits any look. Shades can range from lemon to dark yellow.

Main advantages

1. Availability. You can purchase yellow gold jewelry at any jewelry store.
2. Large selection of options. No two pieces of jewelry are identical. Each ring or earrings is different in its appearance.
3. The color is unique. Jewelry made from this material retains its shine and tint for a long time if properly cared for.
4. Versatility. This metal is suitable for any skin color, age and status in society.
5. The price will never fall, and if desired, the jewelry can be easily sold.

Compatibility with stones

Red metal goes well with almost all precious stones. If the product is richly decorated with them, the alloy “smoothes out” the quantity, the stones do not look pretentious.

Gold earrings with stones
Red alloy combines especially amazingly with garnet, ruby, pearl and emerald.

Pink shades look great with diamonds.

Important! It is better to combine stones of cool colors with light alloys; warm shades of stones will look more advantageous in red gold.

Customer Reviews

Zhanna: I like to buy jewelry on vacation abroad, they often sell yellow gold there. I like it better, since I associate such jewelry with pleasant moments.

Lyubov: I’ve never thought so seriously about what kind of gold to buy, it all depends on how much I like the product itself. It seems to me that this is what is important to all girls.

Veronica: I’m used to the fact that jewelry has a reddish tint; I like such products more and first of all attract my attention.

Pros and cons of red gold

Any precious metal has both positive and negative sides.

The clear advantages include:

Durability. Copper in the composition protects the product from external factors. “Red” jewelry often proves to be more durable than white or yellow ones.

Availability. Copper is a fairly cheap impurity, which helps reduce the price of such a metal. This means that such jewelry is available to a wider segment of the population.

Tone. The red tone is perfect for any skin tone.

Fashion. Famous jewelry houses regularly use this alloy to create new collections.

The disadvantages include:

Lack of versatility. The alloy is not compatible with all clothing items

Possible allergic reactions to copper.

How to distinguish gold from fake

Since the cost of gold is quite high, it is very important to be able to identify the craft when purchasing. The best option is to buy products only from trusted stores. You should not trust little-known kiosks and unverified online stores. You can buy a fake there for the price of the original. The price of 1 gram of gold cannot vary significantly in different stores. If it is too small, then there is a high probability that it is a fake.

When purchasing, you need to study the product. There must be a sample on it; if it is difficult to find it, then it is better to use a magnifying glass. But this option does not guarantee authenticity, because a sample is also applied to fakes.

When studying, you should look at all the edges of the material. If it changes color at the joints, then it is a fake.

How to recognize copper in a composition?

Aristotle argued that the best way to determine copper is to taste it. To do this, you need to use two cups made of different materials. They pour the same water into them and drink from them. Water with copper will have a metallic taste, but water with gold will not be at all different from ordinary water.

How to distinguish a fake at home?

To determine the authenticity of gold in a ring, you can throw it on a table (any flat surface) and listen to the sound. If it is crystal clear, then it is original. The disadvantage of this method is that it is not suitable for bracelets, earrings and chains.

1. You can try to scratch the product with a sharp knife or a “tooth”. The latter method can often be seen in period films. There will be a mark on the original gold. But there is a high probability of error, because lead also leaves a mark due to its softness.
2. Iodine is suitable for testing, which can always be found in the first aid kit. One drop is enough to apply to the decoration. If after 3-5 minutes there is no trace left on the product and no reaction has occurred, then the product is original. There will be a trace on the fake.
3. Nitric acid is suitable for identifying the original. If you drop it on gold, no reaction will occur. If the metal is gilded, it will become milky in color. And the fake will turn green. For convenience, this should be done in a metal container.
4. When the ring is placed in vinegar, it will not change its color at all. It is often used to purify gold.
5. When in contact with a magnet, gold does not react in any way. This method can be safely used when purchasing in a store.
6. To check, you can use the decoration of the same sample. You need to take a sheet of paper and run them across it with a little force. The tracks must be identical.
7. Color. The shade of gold in the sun and in the shade will help determine authenticity. It should be absolutely the same even in different light. A fake can shine much brighter in the sun than in the shade.
8. To determine whether only a product is gold-plated or gold, you should scrape the metal in one place. Gilding may wear off, but gold will not change color.
9. If necessary, you can buy a clumsy pencil at the pharmacy. Any material other than gold darkens upon contact with it.

Each of the methods is good, but none of them will accurately answer the question of the authenticity of the jewelry. To be on the safe side, it is better to contact a jewelry maker who specializes in this.

Where is the best place to buy red gold? Recommendations for selection

It is better to purchase any jewelry in specialized official boutiques. It makes sense to go to a pawnshop if you want to save money. But you definitely shouldn’t buy jewelry second-hand.

As for recommendations for choice, it is worth noting that gold suits everyone, and the red precious metal is an ageless classic. The final choice will largely depend on the style and taste of a particular person.

Women over 40 years old are recommended to purchase massive jewelry. With their help, you can emphasize the line of the shoulders and neck, create the desired accent, and attract attention. Products of small sizes do not look so impressive on older women. They can create the impression of an unfinished image.

Which one is better?

There is no answer to this question. The color of gold depends on the secondary metals that were used in its creation.

When choosing, you should focus on your preferences and the images with which a person will wear them. Jewelry of 585 standard is suitable for daily wear. 750 standard is less common and more expensive. Such products are worn much less often.

The most expensive gold is white, and the most affordable is yellow. There are lovers of exclusively red gold, but today it is much less common than other types.

Tips for caring and wearing red gold jewelry

Products made from red alloy do not require careful handling from the owner, but require regular care, like any jewelry product.

Due to the high copper content, jewelry may begin to darken. This can easily be avoided by periodically cleaning the products. It is better to store jewelry away from sunlight.

Red metal must be protected from contact with household chemicals, chlorine, and alkali. Before cleaning and washing dishes, jewelry must be removed or rubber gloves used.

It is also necessary to avoid playing sports in such products to avoid their deformation. The red alloy is quite strong, but it should not be subjected to such tests.

Red gold jewelry

What color decoration is better to choose?

This is a matter of taste and practicality. Items that will be used intensively, such as a watch, a cross necklace or a wedding ring, are better to choose from red metal as it is more durable.

Expensive jewelry that you plan to wear on exceptional occasions is better to choose from yellow gold - the likelihood of them being brought in is small, but you won’t have to worry that the item has darkened while it was lying idle in a jewelry box.

TOP 5 ways to clean gold at home

The best solution would be to regularly visit a jewelry workshop, where specialists will clean and polish the jewelry to a radiant shine.

At home, you can care for your products in the following ways:

1. Clean your jewelry periodically with soapy water. Use brushes with soft bristles, then wipe dry with a towel.
2. Mix a teaspoon of liquid soap with two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. The resulting solution must be boiled, then the product must be placed there for 20 minutes. Wipe dry.
3. Grind the chalk and mix with ammonia. You should get a thick mass. Use the resulting mass together with a soft brush. After cleaning, the product should be rinsed with water.
4. If the jewelry is inlaid with stones, it can be carefully cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
5. Dissolve 3 tablespoons of sugar in 200 ml of water, place the product in a container for half a day. Afterwards, rinse with running water.

Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage

To store gold, you must choose a dry, dark place. You should not put all items together; it is better to use individual cases or covers for this.

The noble metal itself is slightly susceptible to oxidation. To restore its presentable appearance, it is necessary to clean the product from contamination. It is not recommended to use mechanical cleaning methods.

It will be enough to treat it with special products, which are offered in an assortment by jewelry and hardware stores. For care, you can use available products: soak the jewelry for several hours in aqueous solutions of ammonia or detergent, rinse under running water and polish with a lint-free cloth.

Here's another way:

From time to time it is advisable to seek the help of professionals. The jeweler will not only return things to their original shine, but will also check for defects.

Red-red gold: reviews

I really love red gold jewelry, especially rings. The love for them began with our engagement - my husband and I had pale red wedding rings. The alloy has excellent quality, does not bend, does not break! I also didn’t notice any darkening of the metal, although I can’t say that I regularly take care of all my products.

Anastasia R. g, Samara

Milena R., Stavropol

I ordered earrings online, initially I wanted them in silver. There is such a choice on the sites that it’s dizzying. I invited my mother to choose with me; I couldn’t cope with this variety alone. We came across stunning red gold earrings at a great price and couldn’t think about silver anymore. We ordered them. The perfect match for the prom dress.

My wife asked me to buy her a red gold ring for her birthday. I am very far from the whole jewelry topic; I have never even heard of this. For me it was something like from a fairy tale - red gold like a red sun. But there’s nothing to do, I went to the store, where they clearly explained to me the difference and difference between this metal and the yellow one. My wife wears the new ring without taking it off. Now I know exactly what red gold is.

Vasily Petrov, Moscow

Product selection

The question of which gold is better - pink or yellow - worries many buyers. To make the right choice and choose a quality product that will last for many years, you need to take into account many factors.

The percentage of gold in the manufacturing material is determined by the sample of the product. It determines how much the purchase will cost, as well as its durability and resistance to external influences. In Russia, gold compositions of 750 and 585 are used to make precious jewelry.

The first alloy contains a large amount of precious metal. Products made from it are distinguished by their bright yellow color and excellent shine. They contain few alloying additives, so they are soft and brittle. Such earrings, rings and chains are greatly deformed with constant wear, scratches and cracks appear on them. They should be protected and worn only on special occasions.

The second alloy contains a lot of copper. The difference between red gold and yellow gold is that products made from it are durable, do not lose their shine and do not break for a long time. They can be worn daily for a long time.

Table of dependence of the color of 585 gold on its composition

As for the very common Turkish-made 585 gold, you should be especially careful when purchasing it, since the likelihood of buying a fake is very high. In this case, it is advisable that a sample in the form of a stamp be placed on such jewelry right at the time of its purchase. It will cost a little more, but the risk of getting a craft is almost zero.

For example, three years ago, when a gram of 585 gold in the retail chain cost from 1,300 to 2,500 rubles, buyers gave only 750 rubles for it. However, the popularity of this precious alloy remains very high, since even people with average incomes can buy products from it. In this case, we are, naturally, talking about ordinary jewelry, since the use of precious stones and parts made of other metals can significantly increase the price of jewelry.

Red and rose gold

A good alloy of pink color is due to the predominant quantitative content of copper in its composition. For example, sample 585 contains about 10% silver and more than 30% copper. For sample 750, the composition of the alloy is determined by equal shares of silver and copper.

Red and yellow gold do not differ in price per gram. Rose gold is an alternative to red and is a modern material used to make luxury jewelry and wedding rings. 375 rose gold, which is equivalent to 9 carats, is used to make inexpensive jewelry.

The purest is the red alloy, which contains 90% of the noble metal. It is practically not used in jewelry due to the tendency of products to deform. The red alloy, characterized by its softness, was once used as a material for making rings. Their massiveness and weight compensated for the fragility and softness of the metal.

Au and palladium

Yellow gold appeared a long time ago; jewelers' experiments with the metal helped change its properties and color. This is how white jewelry appeared. When creating the ligature, jewelers used zinc and nickel and added small amounts of silver.

The use of nickel and zinc has resulted in many people becoming allergic to these impurities. Then it was decided to replace the elements with platinum and palladium.

Red and white gold ring

Naturally, platinum and metals of this group are not low in cost. Raw materials are difficult to extract and process. When nickel and zinc were replaced by more expensive elements, the cost of white gold jewelry increased significantly.

What is added to the ligature today:

1. Platinum and palladium.
2. Rhodium and silver.
3. Base metals.

Platinum and palladium are used most often, almost on a par with silver. But silver gives a matte tint, but platinum and palladium give the jewelry the desired color and shine.

Rhodium is a platinum group metal, very rare and expensive, it is used as a coating (applied by galvanization) or added to the alloy. Silver helps reduce the cost of jewelry. If there is a lot of silver in the ligature and the products have a matte tint, rhodium is applied to their surface.

Base metals such as nickel and zinc are used in small quantities to create an alloy suitable for a jeweler's work. In Europe, the amount of nickel in the alloy is limited by law. Jewelry containing too many impurities will not pass certification.

The metallic shade helps create exquisite jewelry that is in demand. White color is associated with wealth and position in society.

Products containing platinum are expensive, and besides, jewelers love to encrust jewelry with large and expensive stones. Diamonds of various shades are most often used. The color of the metal goes well with the shade of the stones and enhances the shine of the diamonds.

It is noteworthy that initially white gold was considered a low-grade material, since the alloy contained many impurities. But when zinc and nickel were replaced by platinum and rhodium, jewelry immediately became elite.

How yellow gold differs from white gold:

• color;
• wear resistance;
• characteristics.

Platinum gives the ligature not only the desired shade, but also makes the jewelry durable and wear-resistant. It is difficult to damage the products; even contact with reagents does not cause harm, of course, unless we are talking about a concentrated mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids.

Rings and earrings will be worn for a long time, and plaque on their surface will appear after several years of use. If the jewelry is plated with rhodium, but there are no platinum group metals in the ligature, then it will delight the owner until the coating wears off.

White gold is a capricious metal, for this reason it should be cleaned carefully; it is better to take the products to a workshop. The jeweler will select a product, clean it and return the color and shine to the jewelry.

Varieties of 585 gold

This is what a 585 sterling laser mark looks like

As already mentioned, jewelry companies very often use 585 gold for their serial products. The high strength of this common alloy allows the use of all known technologies in the production of jewelry: blowing, soldering, weaving, etc. In addition to the typical commonly used jewelry, 14k gold is commonly used for making church utensils and other items such as wrist and pocket watch cases, key rings, cigarette cases, etc.

The composition of 585 gold may vary. For example, the so-called 585 white gold, in addition to 585 parts of red metal, also contains palladium and nickel, which provide the alloy with a white steel color. If gold contains more palladium than nickel, the tint becomes yellowish. To obtain a light blue reflection of white gold, a small amount of rhodium is introduced into its alloy.