l'or ou le doré

Question

I used "et l'or au milieu du ...." and it was incorrect with the only correct version given being "et le doré au milieu de ..."Why can't l'or be used here?

Accepted Answer

Hi Dino,
In French the word,
'or' is reserved for the metal 'gold'
for the colour we will use,
'doré'.

Answer

My big fat Collins only lists the color doré as an adjective, yet here it is used as a noun. There is a noun definition for doré but it is a fish. Also, the same dictionary translates "the reds and golds of autumn" as "les rouges et les ors de l'automne"

Answer

Hi Jack,
You can use le doré and also l'argenté for the colours of gold and silver rather than the metals.  Le doré (noun) is more 'gilt' , you might say for instance-
Le doré de ce vase s'en va = The gilt is wearing off this vase