Gold alloys, aside from strengthening gold for jewelry, can also affect its color. Various combinations of alloys and gold create different shades of gold. When gold is combined with copper, a pink or red tint is created. When gold is alloyed with copper and silver, it retains its natural yellow shade. Yellow gold is the most popular shade in the United States.

 

Most gold jewelry contains a mixture of at least two other metals. Green gold is achieved when silver, and

sometimes small amounts of copper and zinc, are used as the alloys. When gold is alloyed with copper, nickel and zinc, white gold is the result.