Gold’s secret shades: The hues you never knew existed
Charles Fish Editorial · Gold Guide
Gold’s Secret Shades: The Hues You Never Knew Existed
From classic yellow and icy white to romantic rose and some much rarer shades, gold has a far more colourful side than you might expect.
More Than Yellow
Far from coming only in buttery yellow, gold comes in a whole host of hues, from icy whites to romantic pinks.
This precious metal has a surprisingly colourful side — so we thought we’d lift the lid on what gives it these various shades, plus reveal two rare colours you probably didn’t even know existed.
In This Guide
Table of Contents
Gold Alloys Explained
The Secret’s in the Mix
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.
The Original
Classic Yellow 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 & Contemporary
White Gold Magic
Cool, crisp and contemporary, white gold gets its icy sheen from metals such as nickel or palladium.
It is often rhodium-plated for extra shine and is a popular choice for people who love the look of platinum but want something more affordable.
A Warmer Shade
Rose Gold = Romance
Soft, warm and 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.
The Unexpected Shades
Rare and Regal Gold
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.
Charles Fish Explains
What Makes Gold Different Colours?
Take a closer look at how the metals mixed with gold can transform its colour, character and appearance.
And Finally...
Discover a Little More Colour
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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