The metallurgy of some carat gold jewellery alloys

Abstract

The classification of gold alloys in terms of caratage and colour provides no guidance as to the properties and working characteristics of the many carat gold alloys used in jewellery fabrication. Logical relationships do exist, however, between the composition, metallurgical structure and properties of such alloys, and these emerge from a study of the phase diagrams of the alloy systems involved. Part I of this review deals with coloured gold alloys. Part II will discuss their nickel containing counterparts and will appear in the next issue of Gold Bulletin.