1. A brass-like alloy of copper, zinc, and sometimes tin, used as a substitute for gold in jewelry and decorative items.
Usage: Also called oroide or oroide brass.; Chiefly historical; less common in modern usage.

Examples

• The antique brooch was made of oroides rather than solid gold.
• Oroides was a popular material for costume jewelry in the 19th century.
• The manufacturer used oroides to create affordable imitations of gold watches.
• Victorian craftsmen often worked with oroides to produce decorative items for the middle class.