Crimson Gold opens inside a jewelry shop. Hussein is attempting to commit a robbery ordering the jeweler to open the safe. This triggers an alarm. A panicked Hussein shoots the jeweler and shoots himself. The remaining film proceeds, in flashback, to describe Hussein’s life and the events that led to this double killing. Hussein is engaged to his co-worker Ali’s sister. When Ali and Hussein enter a jewelry store, dressed in work clothes, looking for a wedding ring, they are ignored by the snooty clerks. The next morning Hussein, Ali, and the bride return to the jewelry store dressed more appropriately. Again, the clerks consider them low class and suggest they will find what they want in a pawn shop. Working as a pizza delivery man, Hussein brings a pizza to a rich man. The man invites Hussein to come inside and the two banter about the class differences and  inequities in Iranian society.  The next morning an enraged Hussein returns to the jewelry store when the tragedy depicted in the first scene occurs.