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.

Claims

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.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The Gold One jewelry alloy of the present disclosure is a 1 KT Gold Alloy with unique characteristics for manufacturing fine jewelry, characterized as follows: [0007] Hypoallergenic: Gold One is made of a combination of all hypoallergenic metals to provide quality jewelry that will not interact with the wearer's skin. This is an especially critical benefit as it relates to the manufacturing of earring findings, i.e., ear wires, posts, curved bars and earring clips. [0008] Malleable: Prior to the hardening process after fabrication, Gold One is a soft precious metal alloy that can easily be shaped to intricately detailed rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, chain, broached, watches and bands. [0009] Hardening/Scratch Resistance: The combination of Silver, Niobium, Tantalum and Cobalt Chrome creates a unique alloy with advanced hardening properties by heat treatment resulting in a stronger wear resistant metal. [0010] Tarnish Resistance: The anti-corrosive properties of Fine Gold, Niobium, Tantalum and Cobalt assist in suppressing the corrosive reactions that typically lead to aggressive tarnishing in low karat alloys. [0011] Conductivity: The Combination of Fine Gold, Silver, Copper, Zinc, Niobium, Cobalt Chrome and Tantalum creates a highly conductive precious metal alloy. A minimum of 1.5-Micron 14 KT to 24 KT Gold plating is electrically bonded to the outside of this precious metal alloy to lock out oxidation reinforcing the tarnish resistant properties of Gold One. [0012] Versatility: The Gold One Precious Metal Alloy can be used in all manufacturing processes including Die Striking, Continuous Casting, Tubing, Laser Printing, Rubber and Metal Mold Casting and Electroform. [0013] Polish and Luster: The Gold One Precious Metal Alloy results in an easy to fabricate metal with reduced porosity, reducing the amount of tumbling and polishing needed to achieve the desired luster for fine jewelry. This quality adds efficiency to the manufacturing process, cutting down lead times for order completion and increasing production output. [0014] Density: Gold One is a dense 1 KT Gold alloy that resembles the density of typical 10 KT to 14 KT Gold Jewelry within a 10% to 30% range. [0015] Affordability: 1 KT Gold Jewelry, made with the Gold One Alloy, provides today's consumer with the most sought-after aspirational jewelry at up to 80% savings from typical 14 KT Gold Product.

[0016] The alloy preferably comprises (or consists of) Fine Gold: 4.17%Conductive, Hypoallergenic, Malleable, Lustrous, Dense; Silver: 16.335%Conductive, Heat Treatable, Malleable, Lustrous; Copper: 64.1%Conductive, Malleable; Zinc: 15.33%Conductive, Lustrous, Dense; Niobium: 0.03%Highly Conductive, Heat Treatable, Temperature Stability, Hypoallergenic, Anti Corrosive; Cobalt Chrome: 0.025%Highly Conductive, Heat Treatable, Hypoallergenic, Anti Corrosive; and Tantalum: 0.01%Highly Conductive, Heat Treatable, Hypoallergenic, Anti Corrosive.

[0017] The alloy can be hammered, cast, rolled and made into wire. Thus, the alloy is capable of being formed into a variety of sizes and shapes by techniques traditionally used in the jewelry industry to form jewelry articles of a desired size and configuration. The alloy may also be cut and sized with solders conventionally used in the jewelry industry and can be plated with precious metals such as rhodium if desired.

[0018] The alloy may be melted in the 1000-1100 C. range and cast and shaped with conventional techniques. One of the additional advantages of the alloy is that it can be melted six to seven times whereas 10 and higher karat gold can only be remelted about three or four times before it must be reconstituted.

[0019] Unlike known yellow gold alloys, the gold content of the subject invention in the preferred form does not exceed 15% but surprisingly exhibits good resistance to corrosion and tarnishing, good workability and surface smoothness as well as a color, luster, shine and hue at least comparable to 10 karat gold.

[0020] Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.