Low gold jewelry alloy

Abstract

A jewelry alloy is disclosed preferably of 1 to 5 karat gold having the color, hue and shine characteristics of 10 or higher karat yellow gold. Although the alloy disclosed is virtually identical in appearance to 10 to 18 karat yellow gold, it is substantially less expensive and provides a relatively low cost substitute for higher karat yellow gold. The alloy has the following composition, by weight: Gold: 17-25% Silver: 10-27% Copper: 40-60% Zinc: 3-12% In addition to its appearance, the alloy disclosed has good corrosion and high tarnish resistance, good workability and castability and can be plated, if desired, and sized with conventional solders.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gold metal alloy of less than 4 karats having good tarnish and corrosion resistance, good workability and castability and a color, luster, shine and hue characteristics of higher karat gold containing alloys, the gold metal alloy consisting essentially of, by weight, 3-6% gold, 10-20% silver, 40-80% copper, 10-20% zinc, 0.01-0.05 niobium, 0.010-0.025% cobalt chrome and 0.005-0.02% tantalum. 
     
     
         2 . The gold alloy of  claim 1 , wherein the gold content is about 4% by weight. 
     
     
         3 . The gold alloy of  claim 2 , wherein the gold, silver, copper, zinc, niobium, cobalt chrome and tantalum have a weight of, respectively, 4%, 16%, 64%, 15%, 0.03%, 0.025% and 0.01%. 
     
     
         4 . A gold alloy of about 1 karat having good tarnish and corrosion resistance, good workability and castability and a color, luster, shine and hue characteristic higher karat gold containing alloys, the gold metal alloy consisting essentially of: 
       4.17% fine gold, 16.335% silver, 64.1% copper, 15.33% zinc, 0.03% niobium, 0.025% cobalt chrome and 0.01% tantalum. 
     
     
         5 . An article of jewelry formed of the alloy of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . An article of jewelry formed of the alloy of  claim 4 .