I found a formula for Blue gold:
Blue, 18k Pure-75%; iron-25%
It is suppose to be an ice blue color. Does anyone know if this is
really true? Thought it might make a nice ring with diamonds accents
and a Aquamarine center stone.
Hi Scott,
http://www.utilisegold.com/jewellery_technology/colours/special_colours/
The above reference notes the alloy you suggested,in company with
the addition of nickel, at the bottom of the article. I note the
effect is a result of a heat treatment process resulting in a blueish
oxidation layer, (think verdigris copper/bronze), subject to abrasion
and may therefore not be suitable for a ring.
Kind regards
Don Iorns
It is suppose to be an ice blue color. Does anyone know if this is really true?
No, it’s not. That alloy is difficult to work, and a rather dull grey
in color. When used, as it originally was, in victorian era (and
later) multicolored gold work, this alloy does tend to look somewhat
more bluish than other white alloys used right next to it. Kind of
like the so called green golds, with more silver and maybe some
cadmium. They’re not actually green, but next to a standard yellow
gold, look more greenish, thus the name. And, though I’ve not tried
it since the alloy is so annoying to work with in the first place,
I’m told that you CAN get a decent bluish color from the gold/iron
alloys via patinas. With the exception of the purple gold
intermetallics formed with gold and aluminum, where the color does
penetrate all the way through, the blue colored alloys one sees in
the literature are all not actually blue in color, but can be colored
via patina or other treatments for a surface color that’s blue.
The gold/iron formula is not new at all, by the way. I’ve a reference
to it in an old George Gee book from the late 1800s or early 1900s
(not sure, and too tired to go find it right now, but basically pre
world war 1 or late Victorian…)
Cheers
Peter
Hello Luther,
this alloy is very hard to work with and forget the idea of setting
stones with prongs. The prongs will snap within a second. It is
familiar with an alloy of gold and aluminium which gives a nice
color too but only for casting purpose. It isn’t that easy as cooking
were you can mixe some ingredients together -)
Best regards
Pedro
Scott,
Long ago I tried some, an ice blue colour might be a slight
exaggeration. Very pale as I recall. And don’t think about pickling
except with virgin pickle. I didn’t try working it much but it was
similar to nickle white.
jeffD
Demand Designs
Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing
http://www.gmavt.net/~jdemand
Hello Scott,
When I tried this, the metal came out looking like white gold.
When I warmed it slightly, it turned vaguely blue- grey. It was
slightly malleable.
Have fun. Tom Arnold
If you want a malleable blue gold try this formula. Note that you’ll
need a small amount of germanium to add to the crucible (or when
coating a new crucible (fused clay/silica NOT GRAPHITE) you can add
the germanium to the borax and ensure it is thoroughly coated that
will give you enough germanium to make the colour last and improve
malleability, to each (1) gram of fine 24kt gold add 0.531 gm of
fine silver and 0.057 of pure copper this will give you a 14kt blue
gold that will be cast -able and malleable…you don’t need a gas
covered crucible just simple melt and pour. If you want a higher
karat gold you must have at least 10 grams of fine gold to play with
because the math gets very exacting (use a digital scale not a
triple beam or antiquated assayists scale with weights)…you can roll
out the above recipe or mill it as you like .I have never tried to
powder it and use in CAM products though…rer
I don’t refine metals myself. Anyone up for making some blue gold
sheet for me!?!?
Marianne Hunter
http://www.hunter-studios.com
I don't refine metals myself. Anyone up for making some blue gold sheet for me!?!?
I bet the OP should probably patent this formula immediately. Since
he disclosed the formula here he now has a year to apply for the
patent for blue gold.
Andrew