Swedish yellow gold
The Swedish yellow gold is by many considered to be the most classic choice when it comes to jewellery and wedding rings. Learn more about the metal, and how to take care of your pieces in yellow gold.
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- Swedish Yellow gold
If you have visited gold shops in different parts of the world, you may have noticed that the gold jewellery have a slightly different color than you are used to. This is because different areas of the world use different types of alloys.
When our goldsmiths talk about pure gold, they mean 24 karat gold that is bright yellow in its color. Abroad you can find in 24k gold, but due to the fact that pure gold is very soft, it can hardly be used. In order for us to be able to make jewellery in gold, the gold needs to be hardened, which is done by adding alloying elements. This means mixing pure gold with silver and copper. Depending on the proportion of silver/copper, the colour becomes either more yellow or red. A larger proportion of copper in the alloy gives red gold, and a larger proportion of silver gives yellow gold.
The Swedish yellow gold
In Sweden, yellow gold is by far the most common alloy. Swedish yellow gold has a warm, reddish colour, unlike yellow gold from other parts of the world, which is more yellow in its tone. The Swedish yellow gold has a so-called intermediate colour and should not be confused with red gold or rosé gold, since the colour of the alloy is a mix between them both.
In Swedish trade, it’s most common with an alloy of 18 karat gold. This means that 75% of the alloy consists of pure gold (18/24 = 0.75). To produce the Swedish yellow gold alloy, the gold is mixed with about 15–16% copper and silver, and this is also how we do it at Efva Attling Stockholm. Yellow gold is also used for the manufacture of jewellery in 9, 14 and sometimes even 24 karats – although it is not recommended. There is production in lower karat, but then it can’t be called gold, according to the European Union.
Despite the alloy gold is a relatively soft metal and therefore it is important to take care of your pieces in yellow gold. The metal is harder and more durable than, for example, silver, but it’s still important to carry your pieces in yellow gold carefully and store them in the accompanying box when not in use, so that they don’t scratch each other. Our beautiful jewellery boxes are perfect as storage and as a container for your favorite pieces when you’re traveling.
Although yellow gold is a very durable metal, jewellery (especially your rings) can get nicks and scratches over time if it is worn often. But it is usually no problem for our jewelers to fix. Therefore, you’re welcome to visit one of our concept stores to hand in your pieces for a touch-up – and get them back as new.
Silver
White gold is a popular metal, and a “real favourite” when it comes to wedding rings – perhaps for its ability to really make diamonds pop. Learn more about how yellow gold becomes white, and how to best take care of your white gold jewellery.
