Rose gold is among the most popular metals for contemporary jewelry, particularly wedding and engagement rings. It blends subtle red tones with the natural beauty of yellow gold, creating a wholly unique aesthetic that produces a beautiful juxtaposition with diamonds and other precious gemstones. It is truly a beautiful thing to behold and there’s good reason why so many people are clambering to get their hands on quality rose gold jewelry.
But if you’ve never seen rose gold before or you simply want to learn more about rose gold engagement rings, you’ve probably got a ton of questions. For instance, is rose gold actually gold? What is rose gold made of? Do you have to worry about rose gold tarnishing with time? Does rose gold make jewelry more expensive? What are some of the best colors to combine with rose gold? Finally, where can you find pre-owned rose gold engagement rings at affordable prices?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at what rose gold is and provide a brief history of this unique and precious metal alloy:
What Is Rose Gold?
Rose gold is a metal alloy that combines yellow gold with copper. In some cases, rose gold may also contain traces of silver. The ratio of yellow gold to copper (and potentially silver) can vary based on the jewelry manufacturer. A higher amount of copper gives rose gold a stronger reddish hue, while a larger amount of yellow gold tones down the red and leans more toward the natural beauty of gold. Adding silver to the mix can also enhance the shine of rose gold, without greatly reducing the red or yellow undertones.
Rose gold first came into existence in the 1800s. A Russian jeweler by the name of Carl Faberge (inventor of the famous Faberge Eggs) began combining small amounts of copper with gold to create unique displays of color. Rose gold jewelry later became a symbol of luxury and opulence during the Roaring 20s, by which time it had expanded far beyond Russia. Since the 1920s, rose gold has remained a staple of fine jewelry, though it has seen an even greater resurgence in the 2010s and 2020s.
Is Rose Gold Real Gold?
The short answer is yes — rose gold is real gold (at least in part). Rose gold is not 100% pure gold. If it were, it would not have its unique shine and rosy color. Instead, it combines gold, copper, and sometimes silver to create a unique visual effect. However, since gold is the primary component and makes up the largest portion of the metal alloy, rose gold is considered to be real gold.
What Is Rose Gold Made Of?
As previously mentioned, rose gold is not made of 100% pure gold. Instead, the most common ratio is 75% yellow gold and 25% copper. This allows the copper to function as a shiny accompaniment to the gold. If silver is involved, it is typically used in even smaller proportions. While the ratios can vary from one brand to the next, you might find a rose gold ring made of 60% yellow gold, 30% copper, and 10% silver. It all depends on the manufacturer.
Since rose gold is a metal alloy, you can often shop around to find a specific hue that matches your preferences. For example, if you really want the shininess and red color of copper to stand out, then you’ll likely gravitate toward a ring or piece of jewelry with higher proportions of copper. Alternatively, if you want the gold to be the star of the show, you’ll likely opt for a piece with lower proportions of copper.
Does Rose Gold Tarnish?
No! The great thing about rose gold is that, unlike silver, rose gold does not tarnish. Naturally, if a rose gold piece does contain silver, there is a chance that you could see very slight traces of tarnish. This is because silver does tarnish with time. However, since most rose gold only contains copper and gold, and silver is only ever used as a minor component, you can rest easy knowing that your rose gold jewelry will keep its natural beauty for years.
However, it’s important to distinguish between “tarnishing” and “discoloration.” When a metal like silver is exposed to sulfur gases in the air, it begins to tarnish and darken in color. This is a specific chemical process that changes the look of silver jewelry over time. While rose gold does not tarnish, it can become discolored with years of regular use. Over time, you might see rose gold become slightly darker or even take on a deeper red color. However, the changes are often very minor, which is why rose gold is seen as a low-maintenance metal alloy for engagement rings.
Is Rose Gold More Expensive Than Yellow Or White Gold?
This is a tough question to answer, but as a general rule, rose gold can be less expensive than yellow or white gold. This is because copper is a relatively inexpensive metal. When you have a metal alloy that fills in for more expensive metals like gold or silver, it can make the entire metal cheaper to manufacture. However, this does not guarantee that a rose gold engagement ring will cost less than a yellow gold or white gold engagement ring.
This is because there are cheaper metals that can be used to make a yellow or white gold ring. Remember that most gold rings do not contain 100% pure gold. Instead, they contain alloys that may contain traces of copper, silver, or zinc (among other metals). Zinc is the least expensive of these metals, so if you have a yellow or white gold ring that uses higher levels of zinc, it would likely be less expensive than a comparable rose gold ring.
What Colors Go With Rose Gold?
Another advantage of rose gold is that it goes well with most colors. This is especially true of gemstones. You can pair a rose gold ring with a blue sapphire, a pink diamond, or a green emerald and it would always look great. When pairing with other pieces of jewelry, layering multiple rose gold pieces (necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, etc.) creates a stunning look. Lastly, if you want to coordinate your rose gold ring with an outfit, you’ll often want to stick with neutral colors like cream, ivory, gray, and navy blue.
How To Clean Rose Gold Rings
Cleaning a rose gold ring is the same as cleaning any other type of gold ring, which makes the process extremely easy. Just follow these steps:
- Fill a small bowl with warm water
- Add in 2 to 3 drops of mild dish soap
- Place your ring in the water and let it sit for up to 10 minutes
- Take the ring out of the bowl and rinse it under lukewarm water (make sure to avoid dropping your ring down the drain!)
- Gently dry your ring with a soft towel or a jewelry cloth
How To Buy Or Sell Used Rose Gold Diamond Engagement Rings
Buying and selling pre-owned rose gold diamond engagement rings has never been easier thanks to Have You Seen The Ring. At HYSTR, you can browse through hundreds of pre-owned rose gold engagement rings, make bids on the ones you like, and agree on a price with the seller. As a seller, you simply have to upload pictures and information about your ring, send it in for authentication by one of our gemologists, and wait for your payment. It’s that easy!
We hope you enjoyed our guide on rose gold engagement rings! Are you currently trying to buy or sell a used engagement ring? If so, be sure to contact HYSTR today!
