Does 14K Gold Turn Green?

While discoloration is uncommon for gold jewelry, lower purity gold alloys may tarnish over time, particularly when exposed to moisture and chemicals.

But does 14K gold turn green? If yes, why?

14K gold is only 58.33% pure gold, meaning that the remainder of the alloy consists of other metals, primarily silver and copper. Pure gold is a noble metal that doesn’t react with chemicals. However, copper and silver can tarnish, giving 14K gold a green color.

To understand why 14K gold can potentially develop a greenish color and how to prevent this from happening, it’s important to explore the composition and properties of the alloy itself.

In this ultimate guide, we share some common causes of 14K gold discoloration and the role of copper in the process. To help you protect your precious jewelry, the article covers some helpful maintenance and cleaning tips.