Different Types of Gold Available in India

• Gold jewellery is produced after combining gold with a base or other valuable metals.
• Gold can be found in different colours as it can be alloyed with different metals like copper, zinc, silver, etc.
• The carat system determines the purity of gold alloys, where higher gold content is identified by a higher carat value.

Investing in gold or buying gold jewellery is among the most common practices in India. Let us explore the different forms of gold you can invest in and why they exist. Here is a detailed guide on the intricacies of gold's carat, its composition, and different colours.

Gold jewellery is essentially a combination of gold with alloys and is produced after combining gold with a base or other valuable metals. Different types of gold can be created for several reasons, such as:

• To provide strength & durability : When gold is combined with other metals, it gives the gold item more strength and durability.
• To create different colours of gold: Pure gold is primarily yellow in colour. Blending gold with different metals enables jewellery makers to create different colours of gold.
• Economical jewellery : The purest form of gold is expensive. Gold jewellery can be made more economical by combining gold with less expensive metals.

Gold can be found in different colours as it can be alloyed with different metals like copper, zinc, silver, etc. The purest form of gold is reddish yellow in colour, which can be used to produce gold in other colours, such as:

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is the most popular type of gold used in jewellery. It comes in a range of hues and demands low maintenance among all gold colours. Yellow gold is mostly created by blending pure gold with copper, silver, and zinc.

White Gold

White gold is made from a mixture of gold and platinum. It can also be composed of nickel, palladium, and zinc. White gold is durable and resistant to scratches and more affordable than both platinum and yellow gold.
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Rose Gold

Rose gold, or pink gold, is a combination of gold with silver and copper alloys. Rose gold is relatively budget-friendly as it incorporates copper to achieve its rose hue. Copper is economical and enhances the durability of rose gold as compared to yellow gold.

Grey Gold

Grey gold is a combination of gold and palladium, mostly in an 18-carat composition.

Purple Gold

Purple gold is an intermetallic alloy of gold and aluminium. Its brittleness and reduced malleability makes it prone to damage, which is why very few jewellers produce jewellery made with purple gold.

Blue Gold

Blue gold is among the least common types of gold used in making jewellery. It is an intermetallic gold alloy that includes either indium or gallium. It can also have an oxidized coating like black gold.

Black Gold

Black gold is made from alloys containing cobalt or by developing a coating of black oxide on the gold. This results in its distinctive black colour and it has become more popular in recent years. Also Read: Why Gold Price is Increasing? 9 Factors Affecting Gold Rates

The carat system comes into place to determine the purity of gold alloys, where higher gold content is identified by a higher carat value. There are four popular types of gold carats for different types of gold jewellery. They are:

24-carat (100 per cent pure gold)

24-carat gold is gold in its supreme form and contains no alloys. It is a valuable investment option and is the purest and highest carat of gold. However, it is neither durable nor suitable for everyday wear in jewellery form as it can be easily twisted and damaged. This gold is usually used for investment purposes.

22-carat (92 per cent gold & 8 per cent alloyed metals)

22-carat gold is more strong and resilient compared to 24-carat gold. It contains only 8 per cent alloyed metal and while the alloy slightly diminishes the overall purity, it enhances the jewellery's durability.

18-carat (75 per cent gold & 25 per cent alloyed metals)

This is one of the most common combinations of alloys and gold. 18-carat gold is a popular choice for creating jewellery that provides value and durability. It is produced by combining 75 per cent pure gold and 25 per cent alloyed metals.White gold and rose gold are the two most common colours that can be made from 18-carat gold.

14-carat (58 per cent gold & 42 per cent alloyed metals)

This alloy is highly resistant to wear and tear as compared to 18-carat or 22-carat types of gold jewellery. It is the most preferred choice for rings and for everyday usage.14-carat gold is created by combining 58.3 per cent pure gold and 41.7 per cent metals such as copper and silver.

When choosing gold jewellery, you’ll find various types that differ in quality, durability, and pricing, primarily based on how they’re made. Here’s what you need to know:

• Gold-plated Jewellery If you're looking for an affordable option, gold-plated jewellery is a great choice. It has a base metal like brass or copper coated with a thin layer of gold (0.05% or less). However, keep in mind that this layer may fade or tarnish over time.
• Gold-filled Jewellery A more durable alternative, gold-filled jewellery consists of a jeweller’s brass base with a thick layer of gold that’s mechanically bonded to it. Unlike gold-plated jewellery, it contains nearly 100 times more gold, ensuring a long-lasting shine that won’t easily wear off.
• Gold Vermeil Jewellery Pronounced as “ver-may,” this jewellery type features a sterling silver base plated with a substantial gold layer of at least 2.5 microns. It’s more durable than gold-plated jewellery and uses an electroplating process, making it a great option if you're after a balance of quality and affordability.
• Solid Gold Jewellery If you want the best quality, solid gold jewellery is your go-to. It’s made entirely of gold without any base metal, available in different carats. The higher the carat, the purer and more valuable the piece. While it’s the most expensive, it’s also the most durable and timeless option.

Different kinds of gold provide a unique combination of strength, purity and affordability. For daily wear of jewellery, you may prefer to buy 18-carat gold based on its endurance. Whereas, for long-term investment, 24-carat gold might be the most suitable choice based on its purity.Especially when you choose the ideal gold carat for your jewellery, you should understand that each gold item will differ based on its endurance, craftsmanship and design.Once you understand the distinctions among different types of gold, you'll be able to make informed decisions and purchase or invest in gold wisely.