The presence of silver considerably modifies the color of gold, and the jeweler makes use of this property to obtain alloys of various shades. The following proportions are to be observed, viz.: {67}
| Color of Gold | Gold per 1,000 | Silver per 1,000 | Copper per 1,000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I. | Green | 750 | 250 | — |
| II. | Dead leaves | 700 | 300 | — |
| III. | Sea green | 600 | 400 | — |
| IV. | Pink | 750 | 200 | 50 |
| V. | English yellow | 750 | 125 | 125 |
| VI. | English white | 750 | 150 | 100 |
| VII. | Whiter | 750 | 170 | 80 |
| VIII. | Less white | 750 | 190 | 60 |
| IX. | Red | 750 | — | 250 |
Other colored gold alloys are the following:
X. Blue.—Fine gold, 75; iron, 25.
XI. Dark Gray.—Fine gold, 94; iron, 6.
XII. Pale Gray.—Fine gold, 191; iron, 9.
XIII. Cassel Yellow.—Fine gold, 75; fine silver, 12 1/2; rose copper, 12 1/2.
The above figures are understood to be by weight.
The gold solders, known in France under the names of soudures au quart (13 1/2 carat), au tiers (12 carat), and au deux (9 carat), are composed of 3, 2, or 1 part of gold respectively, with 1 part of an alloy consisting of two-thirds silver and one-third copper. Gold also forms with aluminum a series of alloys of greatly varying coloration, the most curious of them, composed of 22 parts of aluminum for 88 parts of gold, possessing a pretty purple shade. But all these alloys, of a highly crystalline base, are very brittle and cannot be worked, for which reason their handsome colorings have not yet been capable of being utilized.