RING GUIDES
Rose Gold Metal Guide
There are so many metal choices that you might not know where to start when it comes to deciding on your engagement or wedding ring. In this guide we’ll be exploring rose gold, from how it's made to the pros and cons of choosing it for your jewellery, this guide will be your go to spot for all your rose gold questions!
What is Rose Gold?
Pink and peachy in colour, rose gold is a form of gold that is often used in jewellery due to its stylistic charm and unique appearance. Rose gold is an alloy, meaning it consists of a few different types of metal, mainly copper and silver. Pretty much all gold, including rose gold has to be alloyed due to the fact that pure gold is fairly soft and therefore doesn’t hold the durability needed for jewellery. Take a look at our rose gold engagement rings if you're in search of some inspiration!
Rose Gold Meaning
Rose gold has associations of luxury and wealth, similar to yellow gold. Yet rose golds pink hue also holds connotations of love and romance, which makes it a more sentimental choice for an engagement or wedding ring. If you're interested in learning more about yellow gold then explore our yellow gold metal guide, where you can discover all about this gorgeous metal type.
Rose Gold History
Rose gold first began to be used in jewellery in the 19th century in Russia by Carl Fabergé, who also created Fabergé eggs! Rose gold was used so heavily in Russia during this period that it was nicknamed Russian gold. It wasn’t until the 1920s that rose gold gained popularity in the USA and the UK during the Art Deco era. Rose gold has made a big comeback in the last fifteen years or so and is a popular choice for jewellery, whether it be a rose gold engagement ring or a rose gold wedding ring, it’s a solid choice for those who are looking for something individual and elegant.
Rose Gold Rings
How Rose Gold Jewellery Is Made
Rose gold is made by mixing copper and other metals such as silver to pure gold to give it a pinkish glow. Let’s go through the steps it takes to make stunning rose gold jewellery:
Accumulating the Metals
The base metal of all rose gold is yellow gold, usually 24 carats. This is then mixed with mostly copper which gives it a warm, pink overtone. However, silver can be added to adjust the intensity of the rose colour and to also strengthen the jewellery. Rose gold contains around 75% gold and 25% a copper and silver combination.
Melting
Once the ratio has been measured, the combination of metals is melted at a very high temperature (around 1000°C) until it forms a liquid alloy. The alloy is then thoroughly mixed to ensure an even distribution of each metal throughout the liquid before being poured into bars or ingots of rose gold.
Shaping
After the rose gold has cooled into the desired shape, it is then rolled out and cut into pieces of jewellery which are then finished and polished to create a beautiful end product.
Is Rose Gold Real Gold?
Yes! Rose gold is real gold, the only difference is the different metal alloys and different percentages used compared to other types of gold. At Jessica Flinn, we work with 9 carat, 14 carat and 18 carat rose gold, all of which are 100% real gold!
Rose Gold vs Yellow Gold
There are a couple of differences between rose and yellow gold, the main one being the durability. Rose gold comes out on top in terms of being more sturdy and robust, thanks to its higher copper content. When it comes to price, these two metals have the same value due to the fact that they both have the same percentage of pure gold in them.
The other difference between rose and yellow gold is the visual appearance, so it depends on what your personal taste is. If you’re looking for a more modern and unique metal then consider rose gold, however, if the antique, classic look is the one for you then yellow gold might be a winner! Take a look at our yellow gold engagement rings and find your perfect gold ring.
How to Care for Rose Gold Jewellery
Caring for your rose gold jewellery is important to ensure it lasts as long as possible. You should be giving your rose gold jewellery a clean and a polish every few months, this is a great way to make sure it continues to sparkle throughout the years.
Start by giving your ring a good once over, looking out for any scratches or chips. Once you’ve checked that there aren’t any structural issues you can give it a soak in warm, soapy water before gently scrubbing it with a soft toothbrush (a baby toothbrush works well!). After you’ve gently washed it and dried it, you can then use a jewellery cloth to polish it for that extra shine.
If you feel like your rose gold ring might be in need of some professional attention, you can book in for our repair and refresh service, where one of our jewellery connoisseurs will look over your ring and give it any care it needs.
Why You Should Choose Rose Gold
Rose gold is a great metal choice for those looking for a warm toned metal that is durable enough for everyday wear. Due to its high copper content, rose gold rings make a great choice for engagement and wedding rings as they’re more sturdy than yellow or white gold.
Take a look at our yellow gold guide to find out whether yellow gold could be a great choice for your jewellery.
Find Your Dream Rose Gold Jewellery with Jessica Flinn
If you’ve spotted one of our rings and would like it to be made in rose gold then reach out to the team who can help you begin the customisation process. All of our ready to wear rings can be made in yellow, white or rose gold as well as platinum, and any gemstone can be changed for a different type, colour, cut or size! We also have a bespoke service which allows you to start from scratch and create a ring that is completely unique.