Lemon gold — what it is and what kind of sample it is

 

Engagement rings

It is increasingly difficult for jewelers to surprise customers with some new products made of precious metals. Even traditional gold products with a reddish hue have become an element of everyday life, rather than an exquisite decoration for a special occasion. But lemon-colored gold is a different matter.


Features of lemon gold

First, let's figure out what it is. Lemon gold or electrum is a unique alloy that differs from ordinary gold with an unusual citrus hue. This color is due to the high content of silver as an impurity. Also, the composition must contain copper, which in percentage follows immediately after silver. Some manufacturers may also add small amounts of Nickel, platinum, or other metals that have virtually no effect on the color and characteristics of the alloy, but give a small fraction of the shade.

Despite the fact that there is no "iron curtain" now, citrus-colored jewelry is quite rare.
Lemon gold is no longer considered a curiosity, but has not yet gained popularity among buyers.

Lemon-tinged gold is also found in native form, but in jewelry is usually used metal obtained industrially. Citrus alloy in its characteristics is very close to traditional red gold and has similar properties. The material is resistant to oxidation, has a ductility and lends itself well to various treatments.

By the way, a soft lemon shade is not the only color in the electrum palette. On sale there are also products of rich green and olive colors, which are also called green gold. This is the same electrum, but with the addition of other chemical elements. So, in the composition of the alloy may occur:

• cadmium;
• palladium;
• zinc;
• potassium;
• magnesium.

But jewelry with this composition will not be able to wear every day — they are very fragile and impractical. Therefore, if you are looking for products for every day, it is better to stop at the shade of lemon color.

Engagement rings

What sample of lemon gold and what composition

The composition of any jewelry depends on the sample-impression, which is located on the inside of any jewelry. The higher the number — the more precious metal is in the composition.

But you will not find products made of pure gold anywhere else. Why? Because gold itself is a very impractical metal. Jewelry made of it is very soft, easily damaged and quickly fall into disrepair. But impurities make products more durable and affordable — the cost of exclusively gold jewelry would be much higher than the usual prices.
The highest grade of gold is 999. This means that 1 kg of this alloy accounts for 99.9% of pure gold and only 0.1% of impurities.

But this metal is mainly used for making ingots — jewelry made of soft gold is valued only in Japan. In addition, products of such a high standard can not boast of an original citrus hue and are not considered lemon gold — they have too little silver.

When purchasing products, keep in mind that not all countries have the same sampling system. In Canada and the United States, carats are used to measure ligature. The 999 sample is 24 carats.

The most expensive and prestigious alloy is considered to be 750 gold or 18 carats. Some people mistakenly believe that this is what lemon gold is. But this is a myth. "Citrus alloy" simply does not have such a high sample — it should be much more silver. The 750-proof metal has a more rosy hue, which is given by copper.

585 sample, which corresponds to 14 carats, is very popular in the jewelry business. In this alloy, 58.5% of pure gold, all the rest-impurities that give the metal strength and a special shade. Depending on the percentage of impurities depends on the type of gold. The product gets a citrus hue due to the high silver content (29-30%), which suppresses the reddish hue. Copper in lemon gold 585-th sample should be no more than 13%.

The lowest grade alloy is considered to be 375 gold (9 carats) . The jewelry made of this alloy is only 37.5% of the precious metal. This sample is in the lowest demand on the market. Products made of this alloy seem more dull and not as attractive, because they have too small a percentage of gold. In addition, low-grade jewelry looks more orange than lemon.

Scope of application of lemon gold

Lemon gold is used in jewelry. Masters make original and unique jewelry from this alloy, which are distinguished by a beautiful lemon hue. Today, you can find anything from bracelets and earrings to cufflinks and crosses from this gold.

In European countries, jewelry made of this metal is considered an excellent gift that will tell the hero of the occasion about your sincere feelings. Engagement rings made of lemon gold are also popular. It is believed that this alloy is a symbol of the pure love of the newlyweds for each other. And the light yellow shade itself represents the desire to live and is an endless source of energy.
Lemon gold does not tolerate "competition", so it can not be combined with jewelry made of other metals. Next to this alloy, any product will not look as aesthetically pleasing as the owner would like.

For this reason, you should immediately decide what you want to buy. This can be an independent product that will focus all attention on itself — engagement rings, large brooch, exquisite pendant, and so on. You can also choose a set of several pieces of jewelry, such as earrings and a bracelet or earrings and a ring. This way you won't have to look for an addition to a single item, which can be quite difficult — lemon gold is not so common.


What to choose engagement rings made of lemon gold

Engagement rings made of lemon gold look very beautiful and sophisticated. Such products look especially good on a woman's pen, so the number of jewelry for women is much greater than for men.

You can emphasize the beauty of metal with the help of correctly selected precious stones. The following stones look especially well with citrus alloy:

• diamond;
• ruby;
• emerald;
• garnet;
• quartz;
• chrysolite;
• topaz;
• pearl.

Zircon and cubic Zirconia are also used as jewelry, but not so often and with caution. It is believed that these stones make the metal more dull and less attractive.

Among the stones listed above, diamonds look the most beautiful with lemon gold. They perfectly complement the citrus metal, which in combination with stones looks even more elegant.

If you are preparing for a wedding, then your attention will definitely be attracted by these rings made of lemon gold. And this is no accident, because they look just gorgeous. There are a variety of models on sale - from classic and smooth rings to decorated with inserts of stones or carvings.

How to store and care for lemon gold products

And although gold jewelry does not require special care, it is also impossible not to pay attention to them at all. Products should be carefully worn, stored correctly and do not forget about regular cleaning. Otherwise, lemon gold will quickly lose its attractive hue and Shine, and will be covered with scratches.

You can clean lemon gold jewelry from dust and dirt using soap or dishwashing liquid. To do this, pour water into a glass, add a couple of drops of cleaning agent and put the product there for just a few minutes. Then you need to carefully wipe the decoration with a soft cloth.
If you notice that the product does not Shine as bright as before, do not despair — it is easy to fix. Take a soft cloth and try to RUB the gold to its former Shine.

Over time, rings and other jewelry made of lemon gold lose their smoothness and become covered with a spider's web of scratches. To restore smoothness, dissolve a spoonful of sugar in a glass of warm water and put the product there overnight. In the morning, wipe dry with a soft cloth.

If the jewelry needs global cleaning, it is better to take it to a jewelry workshop. You should not choose aggressive detergents yourself, as there is a chance that this will spoil the product.

Store gold jewelry in a dark and dry place, preferably separately from other products. As a storage space, a box or case from a jewelry store is ideal.

Although lemon gold is a strong metal that is quite difficult to break or bend, it is not worth the risk. Jewelry should be worn carefully, avoiding mechanical damage.

Lemon gold is a beautiful type of gold with a unique pale yellow hue. Jewelry made of this durable metal looks very unusual, is a chic accessory for every day. Since it is better not to combine lemon gold with another metal, it is better to immediately choose a set of products that match each other. If you do not like to wear several pieces of jewelry at the same time, you can choose single items — earrings, ring, brooch. Wear them carefully, do not forget about regular cleaning from dirt and dust.