Traits Atlas
Codebook, Minimums, Exceptions
Gold Patina
Summary: A luminous surface toning that brings the copper into warm equilibrium–neither raw nor oxidized, but suspended between metal and light. Gold Patina is marked by its reflective amber-to-rose hues and its association with slow atmospheric maturation under stable conditions.
Color: Honey golds, soft yellows, and pale ambers with transitions toward rose and orange. Reflective zones may show metallic brilliance, while diffuse regions turn satin or matte. Surface depth and sheen vary with microcrystalline oxide films.
Chemistry: Typically dominated by thin films of cuprite (Cu2O) over residual metallic copper, producing optical interference that yields the golden tonality. Minute inclusions of carbonates or sulfides can shift hue toward rose or dull brass tones.
Gold Patina Tonings
Intensity Scale
- Light: Subtle golden hue or isolated amber reflection; < ~5% of surface area.
- Medium: Readable golden modulation across fields and lettering; ~5–70% coverage.
- Full: Continuous golden sheen with complex internal color shifts; > ~70% coverage.
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