Gold (color)

{{Short description|Color}} {{Redirect|Gold tone|the type of photographic print|Orotone{{!}}Gold tone (print)}} {{About||treatments that change the natural color of gold|Colored gold|the element|Gold}}

{{Infobox color |title = Gold (color) |hex = FFD700 |image = {{photomontage | photo1a=GoldNuggetUSGOV.jpg | photo1b=Multiple rows of golden statues of the Buddha seated with flowers, at Wat Phou Salao, Pakse, Laos.jpg | photo1c= | photo2a=Fountain pen writing (literacy).jpg | photo2b= | photo2c=Kuboctaeder-Animation.gif | photo3a=Gold-hollow-rope-necklace, cropped.webp | photo3b=Wikipedia logo gold.png | size = 243 | color_border = #FFD700 | color = #FFD700 | foot_montage = }} |symbolism = First place in a competition (champion), wealth |source = X11 |isccname = Vivid yellow |caption=Clockwise from top left: a gold nugget, golden statues of the Buddha, a fountain pen with golden ornamentation, a gold cuboctahedron, a gold necklace, the Wikipedia logo in gold}}

'''Gold''', also called '''golden''', is a color tone resembling the chemical element gold.

The web color ''gold'' is sometimes referred to as ''golden'' to distinguish it from the color ''metallic gold''. The use of ''gold'' as a color term in traditional usage is more often applied to the color "metallic gold" (shown below).

The first recorded use of ''golden'' as a color name in English was in 1300 to refer to the element gold. The word ''gold'' as a color name was first used in 1400 and in 1423 to refer to blond hair.<ref name="Paul Page 195">Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 195</ref>

Metallic gold, such as in paint, is often called '''''goldtone''''' or '''''gold tone''''', or ''gold ground'' when describing a solid gold background. In heraldry, the French word ''or'' is used.<ref>{{cite book|editor-first=Stephen|editor-last=Friar|title=A New Dictionary of Heraldry|location=London|year=1987|publisher=Alphabooks/A&C Black|isbn=0-906670-44-6|page=343}}</ref> In model building, the color gold is different from brass. A shiny or metallic silvertone object can be painted with transparent yellow to obtain goldtone, something often done with Christmas decorations.{{cn|date=January 2026}}

== Metallic gold ==

=== Gold (metallic gold) === {{infobox color |title=Metallic gold |hex=D4AF37 |source=ISCC-NBS<ref name="auto">{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121122220208/http://tx4.us/nbs/nbs-g.htm ISCC-NBS]}}</ref> |isccname=Strong yellow}} At right is displayed a representation of the color '''metallic gold''' (the color traditionally known as ''gold'') which is a simulation of the color of the actual metallic element gold itself—gold ''shade''.

The source of this color is the ISCC-NBS Dictionary of Color Names (1955), a color dictionary used by stamp collectors to identify the colors of stamps—See color sample of the color Gold (Color Sample Gold (T) #84) displayed on indicated web page:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tx4.us/nbs/nbs-g.htm |title=Retsof online version of ISCC-NBS Dictionary of Colo(u)r Names – Ga through Gz |publisher=Tx4.us |access-date=2009-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730190624/http://tx4.us/nbs/nbs-g.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=30 July 2017}}</ref>

=== Web color gold vs. metallic gold === [[File:GOLD METALLIC TEXTURE (7241678418).jpg|thumb|right|150px|Metallic by nature]] The ''American Heritage Dictionary'' defines the color metallic gold as "A light olive-brown to dark yellow, or a moderate, strong to vivid yellow."

Of course, the visual sensation usually associated with the metal gold is its metallic shine. This cannot be reproduced by a simple solid color, because the shiny effect is due to the material's reflective brightness varying with the surface's angle to the light source.

This is why, in art, a metallic paint that glitters in an approximation of real gold would be used; a solid color like that of the cell displayed in the adjacent box does not aesthetically "read" as gold. Especially in sacral art in Christian churches, real gold (as gold leaf) was used for rendering gold in paintings, e.g. for the halo of saints. Gold can also be woven into sheets of silk to give an East Asian traditional look.

More recent art styles, e.g. Art Nouveau, also made use of a metallic, shining gold; however, the metallic finish of such paints was added using fine aluminum powder and pigment rather than actual gold.

== Shades ==

=== Old gold === {{Main|Old gold}}

{{infobox color | title=Old gold | hex=CFB53B | source=99colors.net<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.99colors.net/name/old-gold|title=Color Old gold | Hex Code #CFB53B | RGB 207, 181, 59|website=www.99colors.net}}</ref>/Maerz and Paul<ref>The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called ''old gold'' in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill; the color ''old gold'' is displayed on page 51, Plate 14, Color Sample K5.</ref> | isccname=Strong yellow}}

'''Old gold''' is a dark yellow, which varies from heavy olive or olive brown to deep or strong yellow. The widely accepted color old gold is on the darker rather than the lighter side of this range.

The first recorded use of ''old gold'' as a color name in English was in the early 19th century (exact year uncertain).<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 200; Color Sample of Old Gold Page 51 Plate 14 Color Sample K5</ref> The official colors of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, founded in 1906 are black and old gold. The Delta Sigma Pi fraternity, founded in 1907, official colors are designated royal purple and old gold and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity's colors are garnet and old gold.

Maroon and old gold are the colors of Texas State University's intercollegiate sports teams. Old Gold and black are the team colors of Purdue University ''Boilermakers'' intercollegiate sports teams. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets formerly wore white and old gold (now called Tech Gold). The Wake Forest Demon Deacons, UCF Knights, and Vanderbilt Commodores wear old gold and black. The UAB Blazers team colors are Forest Green and Old Gold. The New Orleans Saints list their official team colors as black, old gold and white. {{Clear}}

=== Golden yellow === {{Redirect|Gold-yellow|the food color|Gold yellow|the RAL color|RAL 1004 Golden yellow}} {{infobox color |title=Golden yellow |hex=FFC000 |source=HTML Color Codes<ref>{{cite web |title=Golden Yellow Color, Codes and Facts – HTML Color Codes |url=https://htmlcolorcodes.com/colors/golden-yellow/ |website=HTML Color Codes |access-date=4 March 2025}}</ref><br />Maerz and Paul |isccname=Vivid yellow}}

'''Golden yellow''' is the color halfway between amber and yellow on the RGB color wheel. It is a color that is 87.5% yellow and 12.5% red.

The first recorded use of ''golden yellow'' as a color name in English was in the year 1597.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 195; Color sample of golden yellow: Page 43--Plate 10 Color Sample L7</ref>

Golden Yellow is one of the colors of the United States Air Force, along with Ultramarine Blue.<ref name="AFcolors">{{cite web|url=http://www.jbsa.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070324-002.pdf|title=The Air Force Flag|date=24 March 2007|work=Air Force Historical Research Agency|publisher=United States Air Force |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902192925/http://www.jbsa.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-070324-002.pdf|archive-date=2 September 2013 |access-date=7 August 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> {| class="floatleft" |+ Golden yellow as a quaternary color on the RYB color wheel, and quinary color on the RGB and CMY color wheel. |- |{{legend|#FFFF00|yellow}} |- |{{legend|#FFDF00|'''golden yellow'''}} |- |{{legend|#FFC000|amber}} |} {{Clear}}

=== Golden poppy === {{infobox color | title=Golden poppy | hex=FCC200 | source=99colors.net<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.99colors.net/name/golden-poppy|title=Color Golden poppy | Hex Code #FCC200 | RGB 252, 194, 0|website=www.99colors.net}}</ref>/Maerz and Paul | isccname=Vivid yellow}}

'''Golden poppy''' is a tone of gold that is the color of the California poppy—the official state flower of California—the ''Golden State''.

The first recorded use of ''golden poppy'' as a color name in English was in 1927.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 196; Color Sample: golden poppy Page 41 Plate 9 Color Sample L12</ref> <gallery> File:California Poppy (3772276269).jpg|alt=California poppy|California poppy </gallery> {{Clear}}

=== Arizona State University (ASU) Gold === {{Infobox color |title=ASU Gold |hex=FFC627 |source=ASU Brand Guide<ref>https://brandguide.asu.edu/identity-standards/color-palette{{Dead link | date=April 2026 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> ASU Brand Guide |isccname=Vivid yellow}} Gold is the oldest color associated with Arizona State University and dates back to 1896 when the school was named the Tempe Normal School.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://alumni.asu.edu/remember/traditions|title=Sun Devil Traditions|date=2013-12-09|work=ASU Alumni Association|access-date=2017-08-08|language=en|archive-date=July 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707041229/https://alumni.asu.edu/remember/traditions|url-status=live}}</ref> Gold signifies the "golden promise" of ASU. Gold also signifies the sunshine Arizona is famous for, including the power of the sun and its influence on the climate and the economy. The student section, known as The Inferno, wears gold on game days.{{Clear}}

=== University of Southern California (USC) Gold === {{infobox color |title=USC Gold |hex=FFCC00 |source= USC Identity Guidelines<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://identity.usc.edu/print/colors/ |title=USC Identity Guidelines |access-date=November 10, 2016 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205223944/https://identity.usc.edu/print/colors/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |isccname=Vivid yellow}} The official colors of the University of Southern California are Pantone 201C and Pantone 123C. These colors, designated as USC Cardinal and '''USC Gold''', were adopted in 1895 by Rev. George W. White, USC's third president, and are equal in importance in identifying the USC Trojans. {{Clear}}

=== California (Berkeley) Gold === {{infobox color |title=California Gold |hex=FDB515 |source= Brand Guidelines<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brand.berkeley.edu/visual-identity/colors/|title=Colors}}</ref> |isccname=Strong orange yellow}}

'''California Gold''' is one of the official colors of the University of California, Berkeley, as identified in their graphic style guide for use in on-screen representations of the gold color in the university's seal. For print media, the guide recommends to, "[u]se Pantone 7750 metallic or Pantone 123 yellow and 282 blue".<ref name="UCB Graphic Style Guide">{{cite web |url=http://brand.berkeley.edu/colors/ |title=Color · Brand Guidelines |access-date=August 2, 2017 |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703223918/http://brand.berkeley.edu/colors/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The color is one of two most used by Berkeley, the other being Berkeley Blue; these, together, are the original colors of the University of California system, of which variations of blue and gold can be found in each campus' school colors.

=== Cal Poly Pomona gold === {{Infobox color |title=Cal Poly Pomona Gold |hex=C6930A |source= Graphic Standards<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cpp.edu/~graphicstandards/web-electronic-media/web-colors.shtml |title=Graphic Standards |access-date=November 11, 2015 |archive-date=June 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601044100/http://www.cpp.edu/~graphicstandards/web-electronic-media/web-colors.shtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> |isccname=Deep yellow}} '''Cal Poly Pomona gold''' was one of the two official colors of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona). The official university colors were green (PMS 349) and gold (PMS 131). Cal Poly Pomona's Office of Public Affairs created the colors for web development and has technical guidelines, copyright and privacy protection; as well as logos and images that developers are asked to follow in the university's Guidelines for using official Cal Poly Pomona logos. If web developers are using gold on a university website, they were encouraged to use Cal Poly Pomona gold. Cal Poly Pomona has adopted a new brand color palette including a different gold color: #FFB500.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpp.edu/brand/guidelines/color.shtml|title=Color|website=www.cpp.edu|access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-date=September 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924035725/https://www.cpp.edu/brand/guidelines/color.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> The logo of the Cal Poly Pomona's athletic teams, the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos, has changed in 2014<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpp.edu/brand/|title=University Brand: A Bold New Look|website=www.cpp.edu|access-date=October 28, 2020}}</ref> to reflect the new gold color, but is currently using #FFB718.<ref>[https://broncoathletics.com/images/logos/site/site.png Image] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200212075729/https://broncoathletics.com/images/logos/site/site.png |date=February 12, 2020 }} broncoathletics.com</ref>

=== UCLA Gold === {{infobox color |title=UCLA Gold |hex=FFD100 |source=UCLA Brand Guidelines<ref name="UCLA Color Palette">{{cite web |url=http://brand.ucla.edu/identity/colors |title=Brand Guidelines {{!}} Identity {{!}} Colors |publisher=University of California, Los Angeles |access-date=November 23, 2018 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124110422/http://brand.ucla.edu/identity/colors |url-status=live }}</ref> |isccname=Vivid yellow}} The color was approved by the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Chancellor in October 2013. This is a shade of gold identified by the university for use in their printed publications. {{Clear}}

=== MU Gold === {{infobox color |title=MU Gold |hex=F1B82D |source= University of Missouri<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://brand.missouri.edu/brand-visuals/colors/|title=Mizzou Brand Colors|date=April 6, 2026|website=Brand Guidelines}}</ref> |isccname=Vivid yellow}} '''MU Gold''' is used by the University of Missouri as the official school color along with black. Mizzou Identity Standards designated the color for web development as well as logos and images that developers are asked to follow in the university's Guidelines for using official Mizzou logos.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://identity.missouri.edu/colors/index.php |title=Official MU & Secondary Colors {{!}} Mizzou Identity Standards {{!}} University of Missouri |date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=August 18, 2018}}</ref> {{Clear}}

=== Pale gold === {{infobox color |title=Gold (Crayola) |hex=E6BE8A |source=Crayola |isccname=Moderate orange yellow}}

The color '''pale gold''' is displayed at right.

This has been the color called ''gold'' in Crayola crayons since 1903.

Pale gold is one of the Lithuanian basketball club Lietkabelis Panevėžys primary colors.{{Citation needed|date=October 2018}} {{Clear}}

=== Gold medal === {{Infobox color |title=Gold Medal |hex=C5BC42 |source=Crayola }} '''Gold medal''' is a tone of metallic gold included in Metallic FX crayons. It was introduced in 2019.

=== Sunglow === {{infobox color |title=Sunglow |hex=FFCC33 |source=Crayola |isccname=Vivid yellow}}

The color '''sunglow''' is displayed at right.

This is a Crayola crayon color formulated in 1990. {{Clear}}

=== Harvest gold === {{infobox color |title=Harvest gold |hex=DA9100 |source=Crayola/Maerz and Paul<ref>The color displayed in the color box above matches the color called ''harvest'' in the 1930 book by Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill; the color ''harvest'' is displayed on page 47, Plate 12, Color Sample H9.</ref> |isccname=Deep orange yellow}}

The color '''harvest gold''' is displayed at right.

This color was originally called ''harvest'' in the 1920s.

The first recorded use of ''harvest'' as a color name in English was in 1923.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 196; Color Sample of Harvest: Page 47 Plate 12 Color Sample H9</ref>

Harvest gold was a common color for metal surfaces (including automobiles and household appliances), as was the color avocado, during the whole decade of the 1970s. They were both also popular colors for shag carpets. Both colors (as well as shag carpets) went out of style by the early 1980s.{{Citation needed|date=February 2021}} {{Clear}}

=== Goldenrod === {{Main|Goldenrod (color)}}

{{infobox color |title=Goldenrod |hex=DAA520 |source=X11 |isccname=Strong yellow}} Displayed at right is the web color '''goldenrod'''.

The color ''goldenrod'' is a representation of the color of some of the deeper gold colored goldenrod flowers.

The first recorded use of ''goldenrod'' as a color name in English was in 1915.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 196; Color Sample of Goldenrod: Page 43 Plate 10 Color Sample L5</ref> [[File:Monarch on Goldenrod.jpg|alt=Monarch butterfly on goldenrod flower|thumb|left|Monarch butterfly on goldenrod flower]]{{Clear}}

=== Vegas gold === {{infobox color |title=Vegas gold |hex=C5B358 |source=99colors.net<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.99colors.net/name/vegas-gold | title=Color Vegas gold | Hex Code #C5B358 | RGB 197, 179, 88 }}</ref> |isccname=Moderate greenish yellow}}

Displayed at right is the color '''Vegas gold'''.

'''Vegas gold''', rendered within narrow limits, is associated with the glamorous casinos and hotels of the Las Vegas Strip, United States.

Vegas gold is one of the official athletic colors for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Boston College Eagles, Colorado Buffaloes, South Florida Bulls, St. Vincent–St. Mary High School, Vanderbilt Commodores, the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen, and Western Carolina University Catamounts. It is one of the official colors of the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, and was the type of gold the Pittsburgh Penguins used on their uniforms until they reverted to "Pittsburgh gold", the shade traditionally associated with the city. {{Clear}}

=== Satin sheen gold === {{infobox color |title=Satin sheen gold |hex=CBA135 |source=99colors.net<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.99colors.net/name/satin-sheen-gold | title=Color Satin sheen gold | Hex Code #CBA135 | RGB 203, 161, 53 }}</ref><ref name="DJM_17">Dillard, J.M. ''Star Trek: The Lost Years'' New York:1989 Pocket Books Page 17</ref> |isccname=Deep yellow}}

At right is displayed the color '''satin sheen gold'''. This is the name of the color of the Starfleet command personnel uniform worn by Captain Kirk of the USS ''Enterprise'' in the TV show and movies ''Star Trek''.<ref name="DJM_17" /><ref name="J. M. Dillard 2002">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DvPAuwYP7hcC&q=satin-sheen-gold+star-trek&pg=PA323 | title=Star Trek V: The Final Frontier | publisher=Simon and Schuster | author=J. M. Dillard | year=2002 | isbn=0-7434-5423-5}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.people-inc.org/newsletters/july2006/images/CaptainKirk.jpg |title=Photo of Captain Kirk |access-date=January 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070810202507/http://www.people-inc.org/newsletters/july2006/images/CaptainKirk.jpg |archive-date=August 10, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{Clear}}

=== Golden brown === {{distinguish|text=the song Golden Brown}} {{infobox color |title=Golden brown |hex=996515 |source= ISCC-NBS<ref name="auto"/> |isccname=Strong yellowish brown}}

The first recorded use of '''golden brown''' as a color name in English was in the year 1891.<ref>Maerz and Paul ''A Dictionary of Color'' New York:1930 McGraw-Hill Page 195; Color sample of golden brown: Page 51--Plate 14 Color Sample F12</ref> Golden brown is commonly referenced in recipes as the desired color of properly baked and fried foods. {{Clear}}

===Candlelight=== {{infobox color |title=Candlelight |hex=F8D810 |source=hexcolor.co<ref>{{cite web | url=https://hexcolor.co/hex/f8d810 | title=#f8d810 - Candlelight - RGB 248, 216, 16 Color Information }}</ref> |isccname=Brilliant gold}}

'''Candlelight''' is a brilliant gold color. {{Clear}}

== Golden in nature ==

'''Protista''' * The golden algae or ''chrysophytes'' are a large group of heterokont algae, found mostly in freshwater.

'''Plants''' * Golden bamboo (''Phyllostachys aurea'') is a bamboo species. * The golden poppy and goldenrod are popular flowers to cultivate in horticulture. * The Yukon Gold potato is a variety of potato recognizable through its smooth eyes and golden interior.

'''Animals''' * The golden bamboo lemur (''Hapalemur aureus'') is a medium-sized bamboo lemur endemic to southeastern Madagascar. * The golden eagle is a Northern Hemisphere bird of prey. * The goldfish was one of the earliest fish to be domesticated, and is still one of the most commonly kept aquarium fish and water garden fish. * The golden jackal is a medium-sized wild canine found in Asia and East Europe * The golden retriever is a medium-sized breed of dog that is one of the most popular companion animals. * The golden toad was an amphibian that used to live in Costa Rica that is now extinct.

== Chemical compounds == In addition to elemental gold, a number of compounds or alloys have a reflective gold hue: * Several brasses, specifically those rich (65%+ wt.) in copper. Prince's metal is a brass-based gold simulant. * Titanium nitride * Zirconium nitride

== See also == * Or * List of colors

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{Commons category-inline|Gold (color)}}

Category:Quaternary colors Category:Symbols of California Category:Shades of yellow Category:Shades of orange Category:Gold