Making purple gold

NileRed

NileRed

53 min, 20 sec

A detailed journey of creating a pure purple gold ring from scratch, despite numerous challenges and setbacks.

Summary

  • The video documents the process of making a ring out of purple gold, which involved learning about the material, acquiring gold, and overcoming a series of technical challenges.
  • The creator first had to purify gold, then experiment with different methods to create purple gold, an alloy of gold and aluminum, which is difficult to work with due to its fragility and tendency to oxidize.
  • After several attempts and refining the process, including degassing the molten metal to remove hydrogen that caused imperfections, a successful cast was made.
  • The final steps involved hand-sanding, grinding, and polishing the cast purple gold to create a wearable ring.
  • The project highlighted the importance of perseverance, improvisation, and the willingness to learn new skills in order to achieve a unique and challenging goal.

Chapter 1

Introduction and Sponsorship

0:00 - 5 sec

Introduction to the project and sponsorship acknowledgment.

Introduction to the project and sponsorship acknowledgment.

  • The video begins with a sponsorship message from Opera.
  • The creator introduces the project of turning old jewelry into pure 24 karat gold bars.
  • The project evolved into an interest in creating a ring out of purple gold, a unique form of gold alloy.

Chapter 2

Initial Exploration of Purple Gold

0:03 - 56 sec

Discovery of purple gold and the decision to create a ring.

Discovery of purple gold and the decision to create a ring.

  • Upon discovering purple gold, the creator becomes intrigued by the unique alloy and desires to own a ring made entirely out of it.
  • The search for a pure purple gold ring proves fruitless as no one sells such an item due to the difficulty of working with the material.
  • Determined to create the ring, the creator begins researching how to make purple gold, learning that it's an alloy of gold and aluminum.

Chapter 3

Challenges in Sourcing Purple Gold

1:00 - 38 sec

Challenges faced in finding a source for a pure purple gold ring.

Challenges faced in finding a source for a pure purple gold ring.

  • The creator learns that making purple gold is complex, and very few companies produce it, with Lee W being a notable provider of purple gold jewelry.
  • This discovery fuels a stronger desire to create a pure purple gold ring, despite the apparent scarcity and difficulty of the task.

Chapter 4

Researching Purple Gold Creation

1:38 - 57 sec

The process of researching how to create purple gold.

The process of researching how to create purple gold.

  • The creator begins in-depth research on how to make purple gold, encountering a lack of detailed information.
  • A breakthrough occurs upon finding a patent that provides valuable insights into making a stronger variant of purple gold.

Chapter 5

Acquiring Gold and Aluminum

2:34 - 1 min, 17 sec

Acquiring the necessary gold and aluminum to create purple gold.

Acquiring the necessary gold and aluminum to create purple gold.

  • Gold is purchased in the form of a 100-gram bar for the project, costing approximately $5,700 USD.
  • High-purity aluminum pellets are sourced from eBay to use alongside the gold in forging the purple gold alloy.

Chapter 6

Initial Attempts at Making Purple Gold

3:51 - 1 min, 8 sec

Initial attempts at creating purple gold alloy.

Initial attempts at creating purple gold alloy.

  • The creator attempts to make purple gold using a simple alloy recipe from the patent, mixing gold and aluminum.
  • Several challenges are encountered, including issues with the brittleness of the alloy and the oxidation of aluminum.

Chapter 7

Refining Purple Gold Creation Process

4:59 - 1 min, 31 sec

Refinement of the purple gold creation process to overcome challenges.

Refinement of the purple gold creation process to overcome challenges.

  • The creator refines the process of creating purple gold, addressing the fragility and oxidation issues through modifications suggested by the patent.
  • A suitable recipe is selected that increases the gold content to 81%, making it a 19 karat gold alloy.

Chapter 8

Improving Purple Gold Alloy Properties

6:30 - 1 min, 45 sec

Improving the strength and color of the purple gold alloy.

Improving the strength and color of the purple gold alloy.

  • The creator learns about the possibility of enhancing the purple gold's strength and color through adjustments to the alloy composition.
  • Further research and experimentation lead to a purple gold alloy that is less brittle and has a more vibrant color.

Chapter 9

Degassing to Remove Imperfections

8:15 - 2 min, 10 sec

Degassing the purple gold to remove hydrogen-induced imperfections.

Degassing the purple gold to remove hydrogen-induced imperfections.

  • Degassing the molten purple gold with argon gas is identified as a crucial step in removing hydrogen that causes imperfections in the alloy.
  • The creator designs and constructs a setup to bubble argon through the molten purple gold, significantly improving the alloy's appearance.

Chapter 10

Creating the Purple Gold Ring

10:25 - 42 min, 53 sec

Final steps in creating the purple gold ring.

Final steps in creating the purple gold ring.

  • The creator designs and crafts a custom graphite mold for the ring using a newly acquired CNC machine.
  • After multiple attempts and overcoming challenges such as shrinkage and cracking, a successful ring cast is achieved.
  • The ring is sanded, polished, and annealed to reveal a beautiful pinkish-purple color, completing the project.