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Purple gold is a manufactured alloy composed of 79% gold and 21% aluminum, forming the purple-hued intermetallic compound AuAl₂.
Purple gold isn’t mined like yellow gold. Instead, it’s created by alloying yellow gold and aluminum in exact proportions. Purple gold alloy is only available in 18k form because the specific ratio of 79% gold and 21% aluminum is required to achieve the desired violet, purplish color.
Purple gold is extremely brittle and difficult to work with, making it unsuitable for solid jewelry pieces. Instead, it’s used as small decorative inlays or gem-like accents in more durable gold settings.
This gold type is hypoallergenic for most people, non-magnetic, and due to the high aluminum content tarnishes when exposed to various chemicals like chlorine, bleach, and acids.
Purple gold is one of the most expensive colored gold alloys due to its rarity and manufacturing challenges and it’s not available as investment-grade bullion or approved for gold IRA accounts.
Here’s an awesome quiz about purple gold. Take it after you’ve read my guide.
What is Purple Gold? Is it Real? What’s it Made of?
Purple gold is a real gold alloy made of yellow gold and aluminum. It’s a colored gold alloy made of 79% gold and 21% aluminum, forming the intermetallic compound AuAl2 and giving it a distinct magenta hue.
Purple gold is a rare and challenging for jewelers gold alloy to work with and this makes it one of the most expensive types of colored gold you can own.
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
Is Purple Gold Natural? Is Raw Purple Gold Real? Do Purple Gold Ores Exist? How is it Mined?
No, purple gold isn’t natural. It’s a manufactured alloy of yellow gold and aluminum.
Raw purple gold doesn’t exist and purple gold ores don’t exist as well. It’s not possible to mine purple gold. Instead, yellow gold and aluminum are mined separately and later alloyed into expensive jewelry items.
Is There Purple Gold Jewelry? Does it Exist?
Yes, purple gold jewelry exists and is a real jewelry type made from gold and aluminum (AuAl₂).
Purple gold jewelry offers a distinct violet hue jewelry aficionados adore, but this gold alloy is brittle and hard to work with making purple gold very expensive and only suitable for small gem-like inlays rather than solid pieces.
Below ar some examples of purple gold jewelry. You’ll notice there’s not a single jewelry piece made 100% from this alloy.
Note: purple gold is only available in 18k. Because 18k purple gold equals to 79% of yellow gold within the alloy. This exact percentage is the purple gold alloy’s composition requirement because it’s been found that 21% of aluminum makes the alloy achieve the perfect desirable purple tone.
Purple gold vermeil doesn’t exist because purple gold is way too fragile and brittle and can be shattered with a strong enough blow. Other types of gold vermeil can’t be shattered so easily.
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
What’s the Melt Value of Purple Gold? What is its Worth Per Gram?
The worth of purple gold is based on the current gold market price which fluctuates from moment to moment based on the interplay of demand and supply.
To determine the worth of a purple gold item first you need to measure its weight. Next, multiply the item’s weight in grams with the current gold price per gram, and then multiply that by 0.79 (the amount of gold in purple gold alloy).
Let’s say the current gold price is $150 per gram, and you have a purple gold necklace that weighs 20 grams.
The exact worth of that purple gold item would be $150 x 20 x 0.79=$2,370.
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
Is Purple Gold Magnetic or Not?
No, purple gold isn’t magnetic. It’s diamagnetic. Purple gold is diamagnetic because yellow gold is diamagnetic and it represents 79% of the purple gold alloy.
Aluminum is a paramagnetic metal. This means it has a very slight attraction to a magnetic field. Aluminum’s paramagnetic properties are so weak they might as well not exist. They’re not enough to magnetize a purple gold jewelry object, especially with so much diamagnetic yellow gold present.
Bottom line is that real purple gold doesn’t magnetize.
Is Purple Gold Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?
Yes, purple gold is hypoallergenic. Yellow gold is hypoallergenic and non-allergenic to nearly everyone in the world, and aluminum is safe for most people too.
However, JiaDe Yu, MD, a pediatric dermatologist specializing in allergic contact dermatitis at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston showed in a recent study entitled “Aluminum: The 2022 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year” that 0.9% and up to 5% of children respond positively (meaning they’re allergic) to aluminum.
Purple gold might cause dermatitis and other skin problems in this sensitive group.
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
Does Purple Gold Tarnish? Does it Corrode, Rust and Oxidize?
Yes, purple gold tarnishes. Yellow gold within purple gold alloy doesn’t tarnish, but aluminum does.
Below are all the potential tarnishing-causing substances and their dangerous effect on purple gold jewelry items.
- Chlorine. Chlorine tarnishes and corrodes purple gold. Chlorine is a harsh chemical that reacts with aluminum and causes discoloration and weakening of the purple gold jewelry item’s structure. This means you shouldn’t shower or swim in pools while wearing your purple gold jewelry.
- Bleach. Bleach tarnishes and corrodes purple gold. Bleach is an alkaline solution and alkaline solutions affect aluminum within the purple gold alloy.
- Toothpaste. Toothpaste tarnishes and corrodes purple gold. The abrasive particles in toothpaste react with aluminum and cause discoloration and dulling of purple gold’s surface.
- Vinegar. Vinegar both tarnishes and corrodes purple gold. Undiluted vinegar is especially dangerous because its acids attack and disintegrate aluminum within the purple gold alloy.
- Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide tarnishes and corrodes purple gold. Hydrogen peroxide reacts with the aluminum’s protective oxide layer and degrades it over time. This process leads to color changes and structure degradation.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice tarnishes purple gold. The acids within lemon juice chemically react with aluminum and dissolve its protective oxide layer. Over time this causes a permanent discoloration on purple jewelry items.
- Makeup. Makeup tarnishes purple gold because the chemicals within it react with aluminum and cause permanent discoloration. Makeup doesn’t corrode, rust or oxidize purple gold.
- Alcohol. Alcohol tarnishes purple gold. It reacts with yellow gold and aluminum in the alloy and repeated exposure leaves purple gold tarnished and even slightly corroded. Alcohol corrodes purple gold with repeated, long term exposure.
- Water. Purple gold doesn’t tarnish in water. However, long term water exposure causes it to corrode and lose its luster. Saltwater is especially dangerous to purple gold because chloride ions in saltwater destroy aluminum’s protective oxide layer leading to pitting and intergranular corrosion.
- Nitric acid. Nitric acid tarnishes and corrodes purple gold. Nitric acid is corrosive and purple gold jewelry can’t resist it for long before it starts to degrade.
- Fire. Fire doesn’t tarnish and corrode purple gold. Both yellow gold and aluminum within the purple gold alloy are resistant to fire and hot temperatures.
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
Is it Possible to Turn Purple Gold into Yellow Gold?
Yes, it’s possible to turn purple gold into yellow gold.
First, you need to melt the purple gold alloy. Second, remove the aluminum from the alloy. Now you’re left with melted pure yellow gold. Third, add additional metals to yellow gold to make it harder and more durable and reshape the new yellow gold alloy into a jewelry item of your choice.
Turing purple gold into yellow gold is possible, but I recommend you turn to a professional jeweler to help you.
Do Purple Gold Coins and Bars Exist? Is That Bullion Real?
No, purple gold coins and bars don’t exist. Purple gold is a novelty gold alloy in the precious metals bullion market and currently you can’t buy and own coins and bars made from it.
The closest product I found online is this 18k Solid Purple Gold Rectangle Cabochon – Flat | Genuine 750 Purple Gold Castings for Setting.
Another product I found is Purple Gold Pieces by Luciteria.
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
Is it Possible to Include Purple Gold as Part of a Gold IRA?
No, it’s not possible to include purple gold as part of a gold IRA. Purple gold bullion isn’t IRA-approved. IRA-approved precious metals are gold, silver, platinum and palladium. And only the purest bullion can be included in a gold IRA.
- Gold bullion must be 99.5% pure;
- Silver bullion must be at least 99.9% pure;
- Platinum bullion must be at least 99.95% pure;
- Palladium must be at least 99.95% pure.
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What are the Differences Between Purple Gold and Gray Gold?
Purple gold and gray gold differ significantly in their composition, color, and physical properties, particularly their malleability and use in jewelry.
Purple gold is an intermetallic compound composed of 79% gold and 21% aluminum. It has a distinct, rich violet or amethyst hue which comes from its unique crystalline structure. It is notably brittle and hard, unlike traditional, malleable gold alloys and can shatter if struck sharply.
Purple gold is rarely used for entire jewelry pieces like rings or bracelets because of its fragility. Instead, it is often machined and faceted to be used as a “gemstone” inlay or a decorative accent within more robust gold jewelry.
Gray gold is a gold alloy created by mixing pure gold with other white or gray metals such as palladium, silver, manganese, and/or copper. Common composition of gray gold is 75% gold with 15% palladium and 10% silver and this structure gives gray gold a muted, soft, silvery-gray appearance.
Gray gold is a malleable alloy, much like traditional yellow or white gold, making it suitable for standard jewelry-making techniques like shaping, soldering, and stone setting. It’s popular in contemporary and men’s jewelry designs and is a durable alternative to white gold that often doesn’t require rhodium plating.
| Comparison | Purple Gold | Gray Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Yellow gold + aluminum. | Yellow gold +palladium+ low amounts of manganese and copper. |
| Color and tarnish resistance | Purple gold tarnishes because of the presence of aluminum. | Gray gold is highly resistant to tarnishing because both yellow gold and palladium are tarnish resistant. |
| Durability and scratch resistance | Purple gold is extremely brittle and not very durable and scratch resistant. | Gray gold is moderately durable and scratch resistant. |
| Cost | Purple gold is less expensive than gray gold because it doesn't contain any palladium, an extremely expensive precious metal. | Gray gold is more expensive than purple gold because the combination of yellow gold +palladium is worth more that yellow gold+ aluminum. |
| Skin tone compatibility | The best skin tone for purple gold is a cool skin tone or a neutral undertone. | The best skin tone for gray gold is natural warm, cool, or neutral undertones. |
| Hypoallergenic properties | Purple gold is allergenic because aluminum is a known allergenic metal. | Gray gold is hypoallergenic because all constituent parts of gray gold alloy are hypoallergenic. |
Hey, you like purple gold which means you probably like real, yellow gold as well, right? Check this out next if you answered yes! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye for economy.
What are the Differences Between Purple Gold and Blue Gold?
The primary difference between purple gold and blue gold is the alloying element used. Purple gold is an intermetallic compound of gold and aluminum, while blue gold is an intermetallic compound of gold and either indium or gallium.
Neither gold alloy occurs naturally and both are created through precise metallurgical processes involving melting and controlled cooling.
Due to their fragility, these colored golds can’t be worked using traditional jewelry-making techniques (like bending or reshaping).
Instead, they require specialized methods such as precision casting, laser welding, or being cut like a gemstone and set into more durable traditional gold.
Both purple gold and blue gold are rare in commercial jewelry, making them more expensive than common gold alloys due to their complex production and the specialized skills required to work with them.
| Comparison | Purple Gold | Blue Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Yellow gold + aluminum. | Yellow gold +gallium or indium. |
| Color and tarnish resistance | Purple gold tarnishes because of the presence of aluminum. | Blue gold tarnishes when blue gold is made from yellow gold and gallium. Blue gold doesn't tarnish when it's made from yellow gold and indium. |
| Durability and scratch resistance | Purple gold is extremely brittle and not very durable and scratch resistant. | Blue gold is extremely brittle and not very durable and scratch resistant. |
| Cost | Purple gold is more expensive than blue gold because it's harder to make. | Blue gold is less expensive than purple gold because it's slightly easier to make and work with from jewelry perspective. |
| Skin tone compatibility | The best skin tone for purple gold is a cool skin tone or a neutral undertone. | The best skin tone for blue gold is a cool skin tone or a neutral undertone. |
| Hypoallergenic properties | Purple gold is allergenic because aluminum is a known allergenic metal. | Blue gold is hypoallergenic to most people. Allergies to indium and gallium are rare, but possible. |
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
What are the Differences Between Purple Gold and Black Gold?
The main differences between purple gold and black gold are in their composition.
Purple is a gold-aluminum intermetallic compound, while black gold is a gold alloy made with superficial surface treatment.
| Comparison | Purple Gold | Black Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Yellow gold + aluminum. | Yellow gold coated with with a thin layer of a dark metal like rhodium or ruthenium. |
| Color and tarnish resistance | Purple gold tarnishes because of the presence of aluminum. | Black gold doesn't tarnish because its core is real gold, which doesn't tarnish. |
| Durability and scratch resistance | Purple gold is extremely brittle and not very durable and scratch resistant. | Black gold that has rhodium or ruthenium plating is exceptionally strong, durable and scratch resistant. Electroplated black gold scratches easily. |
| Cost | Purple gold is more expensive than black gold because it's harder to make and contains more pure gold than black gold. | Black gold is less expensive than purple gold because it's easier to make and contains less precious metal content. |
| Skin tone compatibility | The best skin tone for purple gold is a cool skin tone or a neutral undertone. | The best skin tone for black gold is natural warm, cool, or neutral undertones. |
| Hypoallergenic properties | Purple gold is allergenic because aluminum is a known allergenic metal. | Black gold is hypoallergenic. Yellow gold as base is hypoallergenic and both rhodium and ruthenium as coating are non-allergenic. |
You like purple gold which means you like real, yellow gold as well, right? Then check this out next! Especially if you’re a proud American with a keen eye on the economic pulse of the country!
What is Purple Gold? Is This Rare Gold Type Real and Valuable? Conclusion
Purple gold is an alloy of yellow gold and aluminum. The alloy is made of 79% gold and 21% aluminum, forming the intermetallic compound AuAl2.
Purple gold isn’t natural. It’s a manufactured gold alloy that’s not magnetic, is hypoallergenic and that doesn’t easily tarnish, rust or corrode.
Purple gold is a rare and challenging gold alloy to make and this makes it one of the most expensive and high-priced colored gold types you can own.
References:
- Question about Purple Gold- https://www.reddit.com/r/metallurgy/comments/p3pf11/question_about_purple_gold/
- Purple Gold for Ring- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelers/comments/16rs9lv/purple_gold_for_ring/
- 7 Fascinating Facts About Purple Gold- https://jewelryinformer.com/gold/purple-gold/
- What Is Purple Gold: Your Ultimate Guide- https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/what-is-purple-gold
- The World’s Rarest Gold Alloys: Purple, Blue, and Black Gold- https://alromaizan.com/blog/the-worlds-rarest-gold-alloys-purple-blue-and-black-gold-LPFMr
- What is purple gold?- https://timeandtidewatches.com/what-is-purple-gold/
- Aluminum: The 2022 American Contact Dermatitis Society Allergen of the Year- https://medauth2.mdedge.com/content/aluminum-2022-american-contact-dermatitis-society-allergen-year
- 18k Solid Purple Gold Rectangle Cabochon – Flat | Genuine 750 Purple Gold Castings for Setting | 18ct Purple Gold Jewelry Making Supplies- https://www.etsy.com/listing/1663037993/18k-solid-purple-gold-rectangle-cabochon
- Purple Gold- https://www.luciteria.com/elements-for-sale/p/purple-gold
- What Is Blue Gold: Your Ultimate Guide- https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/what-is-blue-gold/
- What Is Black Gold: Your Ultimate Guide- https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/what-is-black-gold/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is the owner of Nikola Roza- Everything You Can Learn About Precious Metals. He writes for people who love precious metals and jewelry and who're interested in adding gold, silver platinum and palladium to their retirement portfolios. Nikola is passionate about gold IRAs and investing in multiple asset types for a safer financial future. He also runs a successful online jewelry store where you can buy precious metal jewelry and various replicas of famous coins and bars. Learn about Nikola here.
