Gold’s secret shades: The hues you never knew existed

Pure gold is naturally a bright yellow, but it’s soft. To make it stronger, jewellers mix it with other metals, creating alloys. The choice of alloy changes everything: the colour, the durability, and even the price. That’s why 22ct gold looks richer than 9ct — it simply contains more pure gold.

Traditional, timeless, and endlessly versatile, yellow gold is made by combining pure gold with silver and copper for that rich glow. The higher the carat, the deeper the colour — a 22ct wedding band will have a warm, intense hue compared to a 9ct rope chain.

Cool, crisp and contemporary. White gold gets its icy sheen from metals like nickel or palladium and is often rhodium-plated for extra shine. It’s the go-to for people who love platinum’s look but want something more affordable.

Soft, warm and oh-so romantic, rose gold owes its pink tint to copper, and the more copper there is, the rosier it gets. Some pieces are a gentle blush, others are a rich, sunset pink. It’s a shade that flatters every skin tone.

Blue gold? Yes, it’s a thing. Created by mixing gold with indium or gallium, it develops a rare, steely-blue tint. And our in-house gemmology expert Siobhan once handled a ring with a piece of purple gold in it - a regal, violet-tinged alloy that’s more collector’s treasure than daily wear. These hues are challenging to make, which is why you won’t see them every day.

If you're looking for a little Austen-inspired magic for your jewellery rotation, you're in the right place! We have lots of vintage-look rings featuring plenty of sparkling gemstones that conjure the aesthetic of the era. And remember that if you can't find what you want today, we add new items every single week, so keep looking and that perfect piece will appear!

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