Yellow Gold
Made in different tones according to the type and amount of metal alloys used, yellow gold has a striking golden colour closest to pure gold. 18k yellow gold has a rich and intense yellow tone, while 14k gold has a subtler pale yellow tone.
Rose Gold
Rose gold first gained popularity during the Victorian era, where the metal was associated with love, romance and undying passion. Also known as pink gold, the metal is made from an alloy of yellow gold, silver and copper, the latter of which lends a delicate pink hue to the metal. Increasing the ratio of copper to silver enhances the intensity of its colour. The highest karat of rose gold is 22k. 14k rose gold consists of 58.5% pure gold and 41.5% copper and silver.
Gold is the only metal that is naturally yellow or ‘golden’ in colour. The element symbol for gold is Au, from the old Latin name for gold, aurum, which means ‘shining dawn’ or ‘glow of sunrise.’
The amount of pure gold present in a gold alloy is described in terms of ‘karatage,’ not to be confused with carat, which is the weight measure for gemstones.
CONTRASTING METALS
Two-tone combinations, such as pairing the cool sheen of sterling silver with the warm lustre of 14k gold, create exquisite items of jewellery. The two metal alloys are bonded together through soldering, a process that requires the use of heat and a filler metal (solder) placed onto the sterling silver using a pair of tongs.