What is Black Gold? Is it Real? Is it Magnetic and Hypoallergenic? Does it Tarnish, Corrode and Rust?

Black gold is real but human-made gold that doesn’t occur naturally. It’s created through electroplating yellow gold with black rhodium or ruthenium, alloying gold with metals like cobalt (75% gold, 25% cobalt), laser treatment, or oxidation processes.

Available primarily in 14k and 18k variants, black gold is used exclusively for jewelry applications.

Black gold is generally hypoallergenic and non-magnetic, except when alloyed with cobalt, which creates magnetic properties.

The plated varieties tarnish and fade over time, with black coatings typically lasting 6 months to 2 years before requiring re-plating. Avoid exposure to chlorine and bleach, which accelerate degradation.

Black gold jewelry exists but remains extremely rare compared to traditional gold colors. No black gold coins, bars, or vermeil exist commercially.

Learn it all and more in my guide below.

Take this quiz ad learn about black gold and its properties. Everything you need to know!

What is Black Gold (Meaning and Definition)? Is it Real? What is it Made of?

Black gold is a type of gold that’s been treated or alloyed to achieve a dark, blackish color, often through techniques like electroplating or mixing with other metals.

Black gold is real, but human-made gold that doesn’t occur naturally in the world.

The most popular ways of making black gold are with electroplating, alloying and laser treating. There’s also gold oxidizing as a method.

• Electroplating. Yellow gold is coated with a thin layer of a dark metal like rhodium or ruthenium. This is a common and relatively affordable method, but the plating wears off over time, requiring re-plating.
• Alloying. Yellow gold is mixed with other metals like cobalt, palladium, or ruthenium to create a black alloy. The ratio of gold to the alloying metal is crucial for achieving the desired black color. For example, an alloy of 75% yellow gold and 25% cobalt form a black oxide layer with heat treatment at 700–950 °C.
• Laser treatment. Advanced laser technology can alter the surface structure of gold to create a permanent black finish. This method is highly durable but more energy-intensive and expensive, reflecting on the final price of black gold jewelry.
• Oxidation. Some jewelers oxidize gold alloys to produce a dark patina. However, this process can weaken the metal.

Is Black Gold Magnetic?

No, black gold isn’t magnetic.

Black gold doesn’t magnetize when it was created by electroplating black ruthenium and rhodium onto a yellow gold base.

This is because rhodium isn’t magnetic. And ruthenium doesn’t magnetize too.

However, black gold under certain circumstance can become magnetic. Pure (yellow) gold is diamagnetic, meaning it’s weakly repelled by magnets. But yellow gold alloys (including black gold) can introduce other metals that are magnetic.

For example, cobalt is a ferromagnetic metal and black gold as an alloy of 75% yellow gold and 25% cobalt is magnetic.

To determine if a piece of black gold is magnetic, you can use a strong magnet. If the piece is attracted to the magnet, it likely contains other magnetic metals, most probably cobalt and that metal gives it it’s blackness.

Does Black Gold Tarnish and Fade? Does it Corrode, Rust and Oxidize?

Yes, black gold tarnishes and fades.

Black gold created by plating yellow gold (yellow gold fades and tarnishes) with a black coating of rhodium or ruthenium is initially resistant to tarnishing and fading. This is because rhodium doesn’t tarnish. And ruthenium doesn’t tarnish as well.

However, black gold starts to tarnish and fade once the plating is damaged or worn (thinned) out.

Here’s info about various substances and their effect on black gold.

• Fire. Fire and strong flames don’t tarnish black gold. However, extreme heat can damage the black surface treatment (whether it’s PVD coating, oxidation, or other plating methods) and cause it to degrade or peel off, exposing the underlying gold alloy.
• Water. Black gold doesn’t tarnish in regular water. Water has minimal effect on properly treated black gold. However, prolonged exposure to saltwater can gradually degrade certain types of black gold surface treatments, particularly if the coating is already compromised.
• Chlorine. Chlorine damages black gold. Chlorine weakens the bonds in black surface treatments and can cause discoloration or degradation of the black finish. Regular exposure to chlorinated pools or hot tubs while wearing black gold jewelry will accelerate deterioration of the black coating.
• Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide generally doesn’t tarnish black gold, but it may gradually affect certain types of black surface treatments. It’s best to avoid using hydrogen peroxide to clean black gold jewelry as it could lighten or damage the black finish over time.
• Bleach. Bleach damages black gold. Bleach rapidly degrades the black surface treatment, causing discoloration, lightening, or complete removal of the black finish. Even brief exposure should be avoided.
• Toothpaste. Toothpaste doesn’t chemically tarnish black gold, but the abrasive particles in toothpaste scratch and wear away the black surface treatment. Over time, this abrasion thins the coating and exposes the underlying gold color.
• Lemon juice. Lemon juice doesn’t significantly tarnish black gold in the short term. The acids in lemon juice generally can’t penetrate intact black surface treatments. However, repeated or prolonged exposure gradually degrade certain types of black coatings.
• Makeup. Makeup has minimal effect on black gold, though certain cosmetic products containing harsh chemicals or abrasives may gradually affect the black finish with repeated contact.
• Vinegar. Vinegar doesn’t immediately tarnish intact black gold. However, vinegar’s acetic acid accelerates degradation of already damaged or worn black surface treatments, causing the coating to break down faster.
• Alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t tarnish or damage black gold. You can safely use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to clean black gold jewelry without harming the black finish.
• Nitric acid. Nitric acid will damage black gold surface treatments. While it may not immediately affect the underlying gold alloy, it will degrade most types of black coatings. Aqua Regia, a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, will dissolve the gold alloy beneath the black treatment.

Is There Black Gold Jewelry? Does it Exist?

Yes, there’s black gold jewelry, though it’s very rare on the market especially compared to the more common colored gold jewelry like rose gold and white gold.

Black gold is typically available in 14k and 18k  gold. 14k and 18k gold offer a good balance between gold content and durability, making them suitable for everyday wear.

Here’re some examples of black gold jewelry I found online. There’s more of it online, but still very rare.

Is There Black Gold Vermeil? Does it Exist?

No, black gold vermeil doesn’t exist. Yellow gold vermeil jewelry is high-quality jewelry that’s made with a base of sterling silver and a thick layer of gold (the gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick). It’s a popular choice for those who want the look and feel of gold without the higher price tag of solid gold.

Yellow gold vermeil is common, but black gold vermeil isn’t because black gold is a novelty and rarity on the market, and very hard to buy, even online.

Other gold vermeil options are rose gold vermeil and white gold vermeil.

How Long Does Black Gold Last?

Black gold plating typically lasts from 6 months to 2 years, depending on the quality of the plating and how well the item is cared for.

Black rhodium and ruthenium plating inevitably wear away over time due to friction and wear and tear, but the underlying gold remains mostly intact.

Avoiding harsh chemicals and removing black gold jewelry during certain activities will extend the life of the black finish leading to you needing to spend less money on replating.

Black gold made as an alloy of gold and cobalt will last much longer than plated black gold as there’s no plating to fall of.

However, black gold as an alloy can still tarnish and develop a patina. Some people love patinated gold, some don’t.

Is it Possible to Turn Black Gold into Yellow Gold?

Yes, it’s possible to turn black gold into yellow gold. However, it’s an intricate process that only a professional jeweler can do correctly.

First, the jeweler melts the black gold. Second, they remove the cobalt from the alloy leaving only yellow gold.

Third, they re-alloy yellow gold with different metals to enhance the yellow color and increase the durability as pure gold is a highly malleable and ductile precious metal.

The jeweler then solidifies and reshapes the yellow gold jewelry.

And that’s how to turn black gold into yellow gold.

Is Black Gold as Precious as Yellow Gold?

Black gold is more valuable and precious than yellow gold in the right circumstances. 

For example, black gold that was created by electroplating ruthenium and rhodium onto solid yellow gold is generally more valuable than most yellow gold alloys.

Lower karatage gold alloys like 5k, 6k, 8k, 9k and 10k gold have relatively little yellow gold and a lot of other inexpensive metals in them. For example, copper is very cheap compared to expensive precious metals that are ruthenium and rhodium.

Black gold made by alloying yellow gold and cobalt in ratio 75:25% is less valuable than 24k, 22k, and 20k gold alloys. It’s because all the above mentioned gold alloys have more than 75% pure gold in them.

Is Black Gold Valuable? What’s the Worth of it? How to Measure the Value of Black Gold?

Yes, black gold is valuable, but its value fluctuates based on the spot price of yellow gold.

For example, black gold alloy that consist of 75% gold and 25% cobalt will be worth 75% of the gold’s spot price at the moment of selling + the price of cobalt.

Is Black Gold Natural? Is Raw Black Gold Real? Do Black Gold Ores Exist?

No, black gold isn’t natural. It’s a human-made gold form. Raw black gold isn’t real and there’re no black gold ores.

Instead, yellow gold is mined and then later turned into black gold.

Note: >124 million ounces  of gold are produced in a calendar year and only a negligible part of that amount goes towards production of black gold.

Is Black Gold Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?

Yes, black gold is hypoallergenic. Yellow gold as base is hypoallergenic and both rhodium and ruthenium as coating are non-allergenic too.

You can read my ruthenium allergenic properties and rhodium allergenic properties guides by clicking on the links. They open in new tabs so you won’t lose you place here.

As mentioned, yellow gold is hypoallergenic, but different gold karats react differently when in contact with human skin.

For example, 24k gold is completely hypoallergenic while 18k gold is probably ok for people with allergies.

I say probably because 18k gold contains 75% pure gold and 25% other metals and these other metals could cause problems in people with sensitive skin.

Nickel is especially common culprit as it’s a very allergenic metal. Copper is another common trouble maker.

Lower karat golds are bigger offenders than 18k gold with 5k, 6k, 8k, 9k and 10k gold alloys having more potentially allergenic metals than pure gold in them.

Bottom line is that you need to know the purity of gold hiding under that shiny black coating.

Note: black gold made by alloying pure gold and cobalt isn’t allergenic, except to rare people allergic to cobalt.

Is it Possible to Include Black Gold as Part of a Gold IRA Account?

No, it isn’t possible to include black gold as part of a gold IRA account.

Gold IRA accounts can only contain gold IRA-eligible bars and coins and bullion made from other IRA-approved precious metals like silver, platinum and palladium.

Do Black Gold Coins and Bars Exist? Is That Bullion Real?

No, black gold coins and bars don’t exist and black gold bullion isn’t real. Black gold is a novelty gold alloy and only jewelry made from black gold currently exists.

The only things on the market that resemble black gold coins are black ruthenium and black rhodium coins.

These are made of ruthenium and rhodium, and not from yellow gold and definitely not from black gold

What is Black Gold? Is it Real? Is it Magnetic and Hypoallergenic? Does it Tarnish, Corrode and Rust? (Conclusion)

Black gold is real gold that has been treated to achieve a dark, blackish color through electroplating, alloying, or laser treatment. It’s not naturally occurring but is human-made.

The two most common methods of making black gold are coating yellow gold with rhodium or ruthenium, or mixing it with metals like cobalt.

Black gold is generally hypoallergenic and non-magnetic, though cobalt alloys can be magnetic. It can tarnish and fade over time, especially plated varieties.

Available in 14k and 18k, black gold is primarily used for jewelry and can’t be included in gold IRAs as it’s considered a novelty alloy rather than investment-grade bullion.

References:

• What is Black Gold Jewelry and Should You Buy It?- https://jewelryinformer.com/gold/black-gold/
• Black Gold Jewelry Guide- https://diamondexchangehouston.com/black-gold-jewelry/
• What Is Black Gold: Your Ultimate Guide- https://www.nobbier.com/blogs/editorial/what-is-black-gold/
• Black Gold- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelrymaking/comments/15lg330/black_gold/
• 18K Black gold- https://www.gemmyo.com/en/guidance/precious-metals/black-gold.html
• Vitamin B12 (hydroxocobalamin, cyanocobalamin): advise patients with known cobalt allergy to be vigilant for sensitivity reactions- https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/vitamin-b12-hydroxocobalamin-cyanocobalamin-advise-patients-with-known-cobalt-allergy-to-be-vigilant-for-sensitivity-reactions
• Apollo 11 50th Anniversary NASA Space 32MM Robbins Medal 24K & BLACK RUTHENIUM- https://www.ebay.com/itm/312301908437
• Elegant Maple – 1 oz. Fine Silver Coin- https://www.mint.ca/en-us/shopping/archives/2025/elegant-maple-1-oz-fine-silver-coin-
• Black Gold- https://www.oomiay.com/en-at/collections/black-gold
• Black Gold Jewelry for Her- https://www.mareinewyork.com/collections/black-gold-jewelry-collection
• What Is Black Gold? Everything You Should Know- https://lexiejordanjewelry.com/blogs/posts/what-is-black-gold
• What is Black Gold?- https://watcher.guru/news/what-is-black-gold
• Black Gold: Everything You Need to Know About This Metal- https://www.jewelryshoppingguide.com/what-is-black-gold/