Skeleton Horde vs Iridescent Gold (Coarse)

How close are they?

ΔE 7.8, close: similar, with a visible difference side by side. Iridescent Gold (Coarse) is warmer than Skeleton Horde. They are different kinds of paint: Citadel Skeleton Horde is a one-coat contrast-style paint and Golden Iridescent Gold (Coarse) is a pearl paint, so they won’t behave the same on the model even where the colour is close.

Can I use Iridescent Gold (Coarse) instead of Skeleton Horde?

Usually, if you are not matching paint already on the model. Close match (ΔE 8). Iridescent Gold (Coarse) is warmer than Skeleton Horde. They are different kinds of paint.

Can I use Skeleton Horde instead of Iridescent Gold (Coarse)?

The same difference applies the other way round: Skeleton Horde is cooler.

ΔE is the colour difference between our two swatch estimates: under about 6 is close, over about 15 is loose. Real paints also differ in finish, coverage and how they thin, so test before you commit.