Tri-Color Gold Chains

In tri-colour gold the three tones normally come from three gold alloys: yellow from a copper and silver balance, rose from a higher proportion of copper, and white from alloying with white metals, commonly finished with rhodium plating. Set together they give warm, pink and cool tones in one run. Where a tone has been applied as a plated finish instead, the listing is what says so.

The sequence is what the eye reads. Some chains alternate colour link by link; others group several links of one colour before changing, which produces a banded effect. Either keeps the chain visually active without adding width.

Karat normally applies across the colours within a single piece and is independent of the colour arrangement, as are link style and construction. The listing states the karat.

Wearing with other pieces

Because all three common gold colours are present, a tri-colour chain generally sits comfortably with yellow, white or rose pieces and can act as the connecting element in a mixed-metal set.

Rose gold

Where the tone comes from a rose gold alloy, the colour is in the metal and does not wear off. Where it has been applied as a plating, it can wear like any plated finish.

Care

Warm water, mild soap, soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaning, which tends to affect rhodium-plated white sections first.