
What colour metal would a gold and silver mix be?
Try 3 issues of BBC Science Focus Magazine for £5!
Electrumfinger - Bond villain on a budget.
The naturally occurring alloy of gold and silver is commonly known as electrum. Its colour depends on the ratio of gold and silver in the mix: a whitish alloy appears below 50 per cent gold, turning to greenish yellow as the amount of gold increases, and bright yellow at around 85 per cent gold. To get a wider range of colours, metallurgists and jewellers may add in a third metal. Introducing copper, for example, leads to reddy yellows and deeper brassy reds.
Advertisement

Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun facts.
Authors
Advertisement
Advertisement
Sponsored Deals

Spring Savings!
- Try your first 6 issues for just £9.99 when you subscribe to BBC Science Focus Magazine.
- Risk - free offer! Cancel at any time when you subscribe via Direct Debit.
- FREE UK delivery.
- Stay up to date with the latest developments in the worlds of science and technology.
SUBSCRIBE NOW
Advertisement