Coloured gold alloys

Abstract

From ancient times, gold has been used mostly in decorative items, and the colour of gold plays an important role in this application field. Different methods have been developed to objectively characterize the colour. This paper describes the CIELAB system, which has gained acceptance as an effective way to assess colour. The different coloured gold alloys known today are also described, with emphasis on the relationship between their metallurgy and their colour.