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

Post updated: Jun 6, 2020

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.

Chemical composition

Red gold is obtained by mixing the precious metal with alloys that contain copper. Depending on the ratio of the ligature to the noble metal, the product can have bright red, red, reddish and pale red colors and shades.

We recommend reading: Precious metals: investment attractiveness in 2015

Table No. 4: Composition of alloys and their color

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.

How to define quality?

Knowing what red gold is and having a desire to purchase products made specifically from this precious metal, not every woman will be able to correctly determine the quality of the product. To do this, we give a number of examples showing the low quality of gold:

• the metal has transitions, the color is uneven;
• there are roughness, stains and abrasions on the surface;
• does not shimmer under the rays of the sun;
• in the shade, the decoration generally looks dull, gloomy, old and shabby;
• there is no factory sample;
• too rich, unnatural red shade.

All these signs show what poor quality red gold is.

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.

Where can you buy or sell

People who sell jewelry secondhand often find counterfeit goods, and purchase prices are significantly reduced. If you want to save money, you can find good options at a pawn shop. But it's best to go to the store.

In addition, in pawn shops you can sell your boring jewelry at a profit. The final purchase price will be influenced by the condition (scrap or jewelry), the presence of precious or semi-precious stones, and fineness.

How much is 1 gram of red gold worth today?

Rates are updated according to global fluctuations in the cost of a gram of gold. Prices are calculated based on the precious metal content of the alloy. The graph below shows the cost of the most popular 585 standard:

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

Looking for differences

Traditional color of gold jewelry

Each of the shades of this precious metal finds its own demand in one area or another. Yellow gold is considered less prestigious than white gold, but both shades are always on the crest of the fashion wave. These types are not used for the production of expensive watches. The question of which gold is better - red or yellow - is decided by watchmakers in favor of the less expensive metal. Branded models of Swiss watches are made of red metal, since its shade looks not just good, but ideal, perfect.

It is not customary in Europe to make wedding rings from red metal. It is believed that yellow is suitable for this purpose, as it symbolizes stability. Red gold is well suited for jewelry that features intricate elements and patterns. Nowadays, jewelry made from this precious metal imitating flowers, buds, and leaves is very fashionable. Jewelry in a minimalist style made of red metal is almost never found. A yellow precious metal, on the contrary, is actively used in such jewelry. Moreover, there is a certain pattern: the more expensive the gold, the fewer elements the item has.

These 2 types differ in strength. Red metal is stronger. Its strength is ensured by the composition of impurities. Red gold is more for everyday wear, while yellow gold is more luxurious. It goes well with precious stones.

The advantages of red gold include:

• strength;
• durability;
• slight therapeutic effect due to the copper content in it;
• does not fade;
• keeps its shape.

The advantages of its yellow counterpart include:

• bright and rich color;
• sophistication;
• goes well with dark skin;
• is a symbol of warmth.

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.

Minting coins from scarlet gold

The minting of red gold coins was carried out according to the general principle of issuing similar banknotes - on special machines. The main overlay was a blank with an imprint of applied images and symbols, but they were all arranged in the reverse order.

The device forcefully embosses a given pattern and other parameters on the material, forming a complex relief.

In total, there are two minting methods: a minimum of technology, but more manual labor and vice versa. The first case is often used for the release of limited, anniversary batches. The second is a great way to “multiply” money in millions of copies.

Among other distinctive features, during production they form a edging with a small protrusion above the main part, and also make numerous marks on the sides. This approach significantly reduces the number of high-quality fakes.

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.

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.

Comparative characteristics

As usual, let’s summarize everything said above. Our experts compared two types of gold, and this is what they came up with:

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.

How to avoid counterfeits

Surely only a jeweler or an assay office can establish authenticity.

You can independently examine the item for traces of fraudulent activity - small chips, light wear, partial abrasion. Many scammers skim some of the gold from each item in this way, selling it at full price.

The coins must have the following indications: fineness, number of the mint that issued the banknote, designation of the metal according to the periodic table, ligature weight of gold.

The front side always contains the emblem of the state, the emblem of the issuing Bank, or artistic symbols. On the reverse side are minted images of memorable events or portraits.

When buying jewelry, you always pay attention to the weight of the product: there are no light, especially openwork, items made of scarlet gold. Such a soft material, in principle, cannot hold its shape on its own, which is why strengthening impurities are added to the overall alloy. Accordingly, the mass of the final product can increase significantly.

Experts warn: openwork jewelry with a purity higher than 750 is always a fake. It is important to remember here that the more gold, the higher the standard and the lower the hardness characteristics of the product.

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

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.

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.