History
In Europe, green gold gained its popularity during the industrial revolution in the 18th century, thanks to the advent of the new Quatre Couleurs technology. This is how the interest in golden shades awakens for the first time. The most complex picturesque compositions are built from gold of different colors. Rocaille bas-reliefs based on subtle tonal nuances depict multi-figured pastorals, floral bouquets and wondrous landscapes. The most refined and expensive products that require masterly skill are made using this technique.
The Faberge Collection
Later, Carl Faberge turned to this technology, using the artistic styles of his era. He reveals the beauty of golden shades to the representatives of the most noble strata of society. The aristocracy is beginning to appreciate not only red gold, but also other shades of the precious metal. It is known from the archives that Emperor Nicholas II presented his wife Alexandra Feodorovna with a large diamond brooch set in diamond-studded platinum and green gold, on the occasion of the birth of one of his daughters.
A noble shade
The tradition of using green gold in jewelry continues in the future. Vladimir Mikhailov refers to green gold as a material with a soft color that allows you to trace the play of semitones and the plasticity of lines. In his works, color restraint is important, which can present an artistic idea and convey the full depth of an Orthodox product.
As for the technical characteristics of green gold, it is a 585–grade alloy. It is based on 58.5% gold, 30% silver, 11.5% ligatures, including copper. It is a hard and durable alloy, adaptable to shaping, stable in air, i.e. practically does not tarnish.
The alloy is distinguished by its soft olive shade, which gives it silver, muffling the yellow tones of gold and the red sound of copper.