Top 11 Types of Gold. You Know? Let’s explore.

Published: 13 Jan 2025

Gold is one of the most popular metals in the world, but did you know there are different types of gold available in the market, from shiny yellow gold to sleek rose gold, and each has its unique look, properties, and feelings attached?

These types aren’t just about appearance—they also differ in durability, value, and how they suit your style.

If you are an investor who invests in gold to secure future profits or an everyday jewelry lover who is looking for perfect pieces, understanding these types of gold and their purity level is the only way to make informed decisions.

So my champs, to make your job easier, I compiled this whole blog post that discusses everything about types of gold, from their purity level to their making process, key properties, and most importantly which type is best for which person.

So guys are you ready to learn more?

Table of Content

Different Karats of Gold.
Different Types of Gold and Their Key Characteristics.

Different Karats of Gold.

Guys, before we dive into the different varieties of gold, let me tell you a word known as karat will confuse us repeatedly. So let’s understand it before we step into the types of gold.

The word karat, sometimes also spelled as carat, is the unit that shows the purity level of gold. It is often written with the word k followed by some numbers that define how pure the gold is. Here are 5 levels

The word karat (also spelled carat) is the unit that measures the purity level of gold. It is often abbreviated as ‘K’ followed by a number that indicates how pure the gold is. Here are the 5 levels of gold purity.

24k gold: 99.9% pure gold
22k gold: a mixture of 91.68% pure gold and 8.33% other metals
18k gold: contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals
14k gold: mixture of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals
10k gold: contains 41.7% pure gold and 58.3% other metals.

Guys, now let’s dive into the types of gold.

Different Types of Gold and Their Key Characteristics.

There are multiple types of gold, each offering a unique blend of beauty, durability, and value. Here are some types of gold based on their structure and color.

Pure Gold
Yellow Gold
White Gold
Rose Gold
Green Gold
Blue Gold
Black Gold
Gold Plated
Gold Filled
Two-Tone Gold
And Gold Vermeil

Let’s understand each type one by one.

Pure Gold

Pure gold, also known as 24-karat gold, is the most natural and unalloyed form of gold. It is 99.9% pure and doesn’t contain any other metals as an active part.

Pure gold is highly valued for its rich, yellow color and unmatched purity. However, it is softer and more malleable than other types of gold, making it less suitable for everyday jewelry.

How is it Made?

Pure gold is extracted directly from gold ores or through recycling processes. After refining, impurities are removed, leaving nearly 100% gold.

No additional metals are added, which is why it is referred to as “pure.”

Key Characteristics

Purity: 99.9% pure
Color: a deep, rich yellow color
Softness: highly soft and is prone to scratching or bending easily.
Value: Pure gold has the highest market value compared to other types of gold due to its purity.

Best Uses

Pure gold is ideal for investment purposes, such as gold bars and coins, as it retains high intrinsic value. It is also used in,

Both cultural and ceremonial jewelry
Electronics
And medical devices due to their excellent conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

Who Should Choose It?

Pure gold is not good for everyday wear as it can scratch easily. However, pure gold coins and bars are the best investment options to secure future profits.

Yellow Gold.

Yellow gold is the most traditional and iconic type of gold, known for its warm, rich golden hue.

It is created by mixing pure gold with other metals like copper and silver to enhance its strength while preserving its classic color. Yellow gold is timeless and often associated with luxury, elegance, and tradition. Here are the key properties of yellow gold.

Key Characteristics

Color: Retains a warm, natural yellow tone, closest to pure gold.
Durability: Softer than white or rose gold but still durable enough for everyday wear, especially in lower karat values.
Purity Options: Available in various karat levels, such as 22k, 18k, or 14k, offering flexibility in price and durability.
Tarnish-Resistant: Yellow gold does not tarnish easily, making it a popular choice for long-lasting jewelry.

Best Uses

Yellow gold is widely used in all types of jewelry, from wedding bands and engagement rings to necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
It complements both modern and vintage designs, making it versatile for various styles.

Who Should Choose It?

Yellow gold is perfect for those who appreciate traditional and classic designs.
Its warm tone beautifully complements warmer skin tones, making it a great choice for people with olive or darker complexions.
It’s also ideal for anyone looking for timeless, low-maintenance jewelry that holds its value well over time.

What is White Gold? You Know?

White gold is a popular type of gold known for its sleek, silvery-white appearance.
It is created by alloying pure gold with white metals like nickel, palladium, or silver.
Often coated with a layer of rhodium for extra shine and durability.

How is it Made?

White gold is made by mixing pure gold with white metals to achieve its pale color.
The resulting alloy is then plated with rhodium, a shiny, silvery metal that enhances its brightness and protects the surface from scratches.

Key Characteristics

Color: Has a bright, silvery-white finish, thanks to the rhodium plating.
Durability: Harder and more scratch-resistant than yellow gold due to the added metals and rhodium coating.
Purity Options: Available in various karat levels such as 22k, 18k, and 14k to suit different budgets and durability needs.
Maintenance: Rhodium plating may wear off over time and need replating to maintain its luster.

Best Uses

White gold is commonly used for modern and minimalist jewelry designs, including

Rings
Necklaces
Bracelets
And earrings.

It is especially popular for engagement rings and wedding bands due to its sophisticated and versatile look.

Who Should Choose It?

White gold is an excellent choice for those who prefer a contemporary and polished style. It is best for,

People who have cooler skin tones

What About Rose Gold? Key Facts

Rose gold is a romantic and trendy type of gold known for its soft, pinkish hue.

Its unique color makes it stand out from traditional yellow or white gold.
Rose gold is created by mixing pure gold with copper and sometimes a small amount of silver.
The copper gives it its signature rosy tint, adding a touch of warmth and charm to any piece of jewelry.

How is it Made?

By mixing pure gold with copper, and sometimes silver.
The amount of copper used determines the depth of the pink color—more copper results in a deeper rose shade.

Key Characteristics

Color: Soft, warm pink tone.
Durability: The copper in rose gold makes it stronger and more durable than yellow or white gold.
Purity Options: Available in 18k, 14k, and other karat levels.
Tarnish-Resistant: While durable, rose gold may develop a patina over time, which may discolor it.

Best Uses

Rose gold is ideal for jewelry that exudes warmth and romance. It’s commonly used in

Engagement rings
Wedding bands
Necklaces
Bracelets
And earrings.

Who Should Choose It?

Rose gold is perfect for those who want jewelry that feels unique and stylish while maintaining a classic charm.

Usually, It flatters all skin tones, you can choose it without any hesitation.

What Is Green Gold?

Green gold is a rare and unique type of gold that has a soft, greenish tint.

This unique color comes from mixing pure gold with silver, and sometimes copper, to create a fresh, natural hue.
It’s not as common as yellow or white gold, but its distinct look makes it a great choice for anyone looking for something different and elegant.

How is it Made?

Just by mixing pure gold with silver.
Sometimes copper is also added

Key Characteristics

Color: green
Durability: It’s softer than other gold types due to its high silver content, so it’s more suitable for light to medium wear.
Purity Options: Available in both 14k, and 18k
Hypoallergenic: Green Gold is hypoallergenic which means it does not cause any type of allergy even in people who have sensitive skin.

Best Uses

Green gold is perfect for creating unique, eye-catching jewelry pieces. It’s often used in

Rings
Earrings
And necklaces

It looks beautiful, especially with green gemstones like emeralds.

Who Should Choose It?

Green gold is ideal for those who appreciate unique and stand-out jewelry.

It’s best for those who have sensitive skin, as wearing other types of gold can cause allergies.

Blue Gold.

Blue gold is one of the rarest and most unique types of gold, known for its stunning bluish hue.

This striking color is created by mixing pure gold with other metals such as iron and sometimes other alloys.

Blue gold isn’t as commonly found in jewelry as yellow or white gold but people especially order them for rings and pendants

How is it Made?

Blue gold is made by mixing pure gold with iron.
Iron is the basic element that gives it a blue color

Key Characteristics

Color: Cool bluish tone.
Durability: Blue gold is more delicate than yellow or white gold due to its iron content, making it less suitable for heavy daily wear.
Purity Options: It is usually available in 18k or 14k, providing some balance between color richness and strength.
Tarnish-resistant: mostly tarnish-resistant but can lose its shine over time if exposed to harsh conditions.

Who Should Choose It?

A person who has fair to neutral skin tones can choose blue gold. It will suit him/her best.

Black Gold.

Black gold is one of the most striking but less common types of gold, known for its bold and dramatic appearance.

It’s also not naturally occurring gold but artificially made. Here is how we make black gold.

How Do We Make Black Gold?

Creating black gold requires both experience and expertise. Here is how it’s made.

Alloying Method: first of all we mix pure gold with metals like cobalt or titanium to create an oxidizing surface.
Electroplating: secondly we start the electroplating process in which we coat the gold with black rhodium or ruthenium, which gives black gold a black color to achieve a shiny, jet-black finish.
Laser Treatment: in the final step, we use a laser to refine the surface of the gold. This enhances the gold’s black color, adds unique patterns, and makes the finish more durable and long-lasting.

Key Characteristics

Unique Appearance: Boasts an intense, bold black tone that radiates modern elegance.
Durability: Alloyed black gold is highly durable, while plated options may require occasional re-coating.
Versatility: Typically available in 18k and 14k variations, balancing purity and strength.
Maintenance: Alloyed black gold requires minimal care, while plated finishes benefit from occasional touch-ups.

Best Uses

Black gold is perfect for contemporary jewelry designs that make a statement. It works especially well in:

Wedding bands for couples seeking a distinctive, modern look.
Statement rings that command attention.
Trendy pendants and bracelets that add a touch of boldness to any outfit.

Who Should Choose Black Gold?

Black gold is best for everyone but the person having white skin color will seem very beautiful/handsome with black gold

What Is Gold Plated?

Gold plated is not a mixture of gold with other metals as other types of gold we discussed before.

As the name defines, gold plated is any other metal that is plated by pure gold to gain a pure yellowish color. Here is how it’s made.

How is it Made?

Guys, first of all, remember, gold plated is any other metal that can be copper, silver or even brass.
These metals are then plated with pure gold through a process called electroplating.
The electroplating process uses electrical currents to bond gold layers with a base metal like copper, silver, or brass.
The gold layer is usually very thin, ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 microns thick.

Key Characteristics

Color: Looks like real gold
Durability: the base metal itself is durable but the gold layer can wear off over time.
Affordability: Gold-plated items are much more affordable than pure gold.

Best Uses

Gold-plated jewelry is popular in fashion items like

Rings
Necklaces
And bracelets

People love them because they seem the same as pure gold.

Who Should Choose It?

The person who wears gold jewelry occasionally. This is because they can fade quickly due to daily wear and exposure to harsh environments.

Gold Filled.

Gold-filled jewelry is also the same as gold-plated jewelry, But the difference comes in their making process and the thickness of the pure gold layer.

Gold-filled jewelry has a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal, usually brass or copper, through heat and pressure. Here is how it’s made.

How is it Made?

Gold-filled jewelry is created by bonding a thick layer of gold to a base metal, like brass or copper, using heat and pressure.
The gold layer must make up at least 5% of the total weight, otherwise it will not legally be considered gold-filled.

Key Characteristics

Color: the outer look is the same as pure gold
Durability: More durable than gold-plated jewelry due to the thicker gold layer.
Value: More expensive than gold-plated, but less costly than solid gold.

Best Uses

Gold-filled jewelry is ideal for everyday wear, including,

Rngs
Necklaces
Bracelets
And earrings.

Who Should Choose It?

Gold-filled jewelry is perfect for those who want the look and feel of solid gold but at a more affordable price.
It’s a good choice for individuals who need jewelry that can withstand regular use without tarnishing quickly as gold-plated.

Two-Tone Gold.

As the name itself defines, Two-tone gold combines two different colors of gold to create a striking contrast in jewelry. ne
Usually, it’s made by blending yellow gold with white gold, rose gold, or sometimes even with other alloys.
This style is popular in modern and custom designs, giving a unique, stylish appearance.

Key Characteristics:

Color: not definable, which means color varies from every piece.
Durability: Varies depending on the other types of gold used to make it.

Best Uses:

Two-tone gold is often used for rings, wedding bands, bracelets, and necklaces.
It’s perfect for creating pieces with a modern yet timeless feel.

Who Should Choose It?

Fashion-forward individuals: Ideal for those who want something stylish and different from traditional gold jewelry.
Anyone who loves variety: Great for people who want the beauty of multiple gold colors in one piece.

What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil is also related to gold-filled and gold-plated.

It is a high-quality gold-plated jewelry made by coating a base metal (usually sterling silver) with a thick layer of gold.

This process ensures that the gold layer is at least 2.5 microns thick, giving it a luxurious finish while still being more affordable than solid gold.

How is it Made?

Gold vermeil is made from two main basic materials.

Base material: which is typically made from sterling silver or a copper alloy.
Gold plating: The base metal like sterling silver or copper then plated with a thick layer of gold by a process called electroplating.

Key Characteristics

Color: A rich, gold finish.
Durability: usually more durable than gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry. It can even last decades if properly cared for.
Affordable luxury: Gold vermeil offers the appearance of solid gold jewelry at a lower price point.

Best Uses

Ideal for affordable luxury jewelry like rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets.
Perfect for those who want gold jewelry without the high price of solid gold.

Who Should Choose It?

Best for people

who want affordable but long-lasting gold jewelry.
Or people who are allergic to other types of gold. Gold vermeil is hypoallergenic which means it doesn’t cause any allergic issues with sensitive skin.