Red Gold
Also: Red Gold, Copper Gold
Red gold is a gold alloy with a high copper content that gives the metal its characteristic reddish to warm bronze-coloured hue.
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Red gold is created by deliberately adding copper — and depending on the recipe, small amounts of silver — to pure gold. The elevated copper content overlays the warm yellow tone of gold and produces colour nuances ranging from a delicate rose to a deep, almost copper-coloured red. The higher the copper content, the more intense the red colouration. Knowing the gold price and the copper price is therefore important when calculating the melt value of red gold jewellery — both feed into the melt value calculator.
Composition and Fineness Values
The exact colour depends on the ratio of alloying metals. The following combinations are common:
| Fineness | Gold content | Copper content | Silver content | Colour effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 333 (8 karat) | 33.3% | up to 60% | remainder | Strongly reddish-copper |
| 585 (14 karat) | 58.5% | 35–41% | 0–6% | Vivid red-golden |
| 750 (18 karat) | 75.0% | 25% | 0% | Warm reddish-golden |
If the alloy contains no silver, it is classic red gold with maximum red colouration. Adding silver shifts the hue towards rose gold, which is distinguished from the stronger red gold by its pastel pink tone. These transitions are fluid; the terms red gold and rose gold are occasionally used interchangeably in the trade, although strictly speaking they refer to different copper contents.
Calculating Melt Value
The material value of red gold jewellery is derived from the fine weight of the gold (and proportionally the copper, which is usually disregarded in valuation as its contribution is minor). The formula is:
Melt value = Gross weight (g) × fineness (‰) / 1000 × gold price (€/g)
A 10-gram ring in 585 red gold therefore contains 5.85 g of fine gold. The current price per gram can be determined with the gold calculator.
Properties and Processing
Copper makes gold alloys significantly harder and more wear-resistant than pure fine gold (999). Red gold with 585 fineness is easy to solder, stamp, and engrave. The greater hardness is an advantage for jewellery — rings and bracelets withstand the mechanical demands of daily wear better than those made from yellow gold.
However, the high copper content also brings drawbacks:
- Tarnishing: Copper oxidises in humid air; red gold jewellery can tarnish slightly over time, though this can be remedied with standard jewellery care products.
- Allergy risk: Copper-containing alloys can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals, which is why 750 red gold (less copper) is better suited for sensitive skin.
- No protective coating: Unlike rhodium-plated white gold, red gold offers no additional protective layer.
Distinction from Related Alloys
| Term | Main alloying metal | Typical tone |
|---|---|---|
| Rose gold | Copper + silver | Pastel pink |
| Red gold | Copper (higher than rosé) | Warm red-copper |
| Yellow gold | Silver + copper balanced | Golden yellow |
| White gold | Palladium or nickel | Silvery-white |
Market and Purchasing
When selling or buying, only the fineness — i.e. the gold content — counts as the value-determining factor. Copper and silver are not separately compensated in a typical precious metal purchase. The buying price calculator helps to estimate the realistic proceeds for red gold jewellery in advance. Note: tax aspects on disposal (e.g. the speculative holding period under § 23 EStG) are individual matters — this is not tax or investment advice.
In Brief
Red gold owes its warm, reddish colour to the deliberately elevated copper content in the gold alloy. Depending on fineness (333 to 750), colour, hardness, and melt value vary — the latter can be conveniently determined using the melt value calculator.