Gold is not merely a yellow metal. Its chromatic richness is one of its least appreciated qualities — and yet one of the most influential on the final aesthetic of a piece of jewellery. The colour of 18-carat gold depends entirely on the metals thatcompose the 25% alloy mixed with the 75% pure gold.
18-Carat Yellow Gold
Yellow gold is composed of 75% pure gold, 12.5% silver and 12.5% copper. It is the natural colour of gold — warm, sunny, timeless. It particularly flatters tanned and Mediterranean complexions, and creates a spectacular contrast with the pure white of high-quality D colour diamonds.
Yellow gold is the historic colour of fine jewellery — that of great royal parures, traditional engagement rings, and pieces passed down through generations. It is also the colour that gives Origine Paris collections their most distinctive identity.
18-Carat White Gold
White gold is composed of 75% pure gold and 25% silver or palladium (never nickel in Europe, as this metal is allergenic). Its cool, luminous tone intensifies the brilliance of diamonds and gives the jewel an elegant, contemporary character. White gold is often rhodium-plated — coated with a thin layer of rhodium — to enhance its whiteness and scratch resistance.
It is the traditional choice for engagement rings, as its colour, close to platinum, showcases the diamond to maximum effect.
18-Carat Rose Gold
Rose gold is composed of 75% pure gold, 20% copper and 5% silver. Its warm and romantic tone gives it a unique personality, between the classic and the contemporary. Highly fashionable since the 2010s, rose gold suits fair complexions particularly well and is increasingly chosen for men's wedding bands, where its warmth creates a sophisticated and original effect.
At Origine Paris, our collections are available in all three gold colours. The choice between yellow, white and rose is above all a matter of personality and complexion — we are always delighted to guide you during your appointment.