Rose Gold Engagement Rings

While yellow and white shades of gold are consistently popular, rose gold engagement rings have recently been favored by brides-to-be who desire a more unique yet still traditional ring in a subtly romantic hue. But what gives rose gold its pinkish hue and how does it compare to the quality of more traditional metal alloys?

Rose gold gets its pink tint from copper.

What is Rose Gold?

Pure gold is too soft to be effectively made into jewelry, and all engagement rings and other gold pieces are alloys. The typical metals blended with pure gold to add strength and durability are palladium, nickel, silver, and copper. The proportions of those metals lead to the exact shade of the gold, and rose gold engagement rings have a greater amount of copper in the metal alloy. Because copper’s natural color is a rich burnished red, diluting it with the gold and silver in the alloy results in a pink tinge.

The typical blend of gold to copper that gives the final metal a pink hue is three parts gold to one part copper, or 75 percent gold and 25 percent copper. The precise proportions vary, however, and some manufacturers prefer to add trace amounts of silver or other metals to further adjust the tint. The higher the percentage of copper, the darker the red coloration, and rose gold can actually be found in many different hues.

The karat value of the gold also affects its pink shade. A higher karat value such as 18k pink gold will be lighter than 10k alloys because there is more yellow gold in the mix, effectively diminishing the effect of the copper tinting.

Styles of Rose Gold Engagement Rings

Despite its comparative rarity, rose gold is used in a number of different engagement ring designs. The stunning beauty of the alloy is a delicate contrast to traditional metals, making it particularly popular for multi-tone rings. Other rings that commonly incorporate rose gold include:

• Filigree Engagement Rings: The subtle pink hue of rose gold is a charming and romantic accent for delicate designs.
• Celtic Engagement Rings: Rose gold can be woven into stunning knots and patterns and contrasts well with other metals to create a multi-tone ring with unusual hues.
• Mokume Gane Engagement Rings: The blending of different metals creates exquisite patterns in mokume gane, and rose alloys are an unusual but beautiful choice to include in the design.
• Claddagh Rings: Rose, red, or pink gold is often used for the symbolic heart in the Claddagh design to emphasize its love connotation.
• Inlaid Engagement Rings: Many simple engagement rings or wedding bands use inlays of different metals for subtle design contrasts, and rose gold is the perfect choice for a unique color combination.

Rose gold engagement rings may not be solely pink; using different colored metals as accents is a popular way to add distinction to a ring. Pink metal may be used for the crown of the ring, the rim of a bezel setting, or as edging to a different type of metal along the band. Some couples even choose rose shades to accompany pink diamonds, adding yet another romantic shade to a classy yet unusual ring.

Finding Rose Gold Engagement Rings

Rose gold inlaid band.

Rose gold – also called red or pink gold – is still relatively rare, though designer rings are turning more and more toward unusual metals. Independent jewelers are more likely to offer these unique pieces, and many custom rings can be requested with rose gold. Another option is to investigate antique rings, particularly those with an art deco styling. The art deco period made extravagant use of metals and bold colors, and rose gold engagement rings were a popular variation.

The recent popularity of colored gold rings among celebrities, however, is gradually making the shade more readily available. Katie Holmes’ engagement ring from Tom Cruise, in fact, has a rose gold crown and the couple’s controversial relationship has focused much attention on this little-known alloy.

Metal Cost

Rose gold is similar in price to the more traditional and far more common yellow gold, and in fact, copper is less expensive than silver, making a rose alloy cheaper than other combinations. At the same time, however, the very rarity of rose gold engagement rings makes them more costly, particularly since couples may need to custom order a ring or seek out an independent jeweler in order to find a rose gold piece they are interested in.

Caring for Rose Gold

Copper is a hardy metal, and when combined with gold for a rose alloy, the ring requires the same care as any gold jewelry – removing it when using harsh chemicals, keeping it clean, and avoiding dangerous situations that could scratch or warp the metal. One additional consideration for rose gold, however, is that if an individual is allergic to copper, their finger may swell or discolor because of the copper in the alloy.

Rose gold engagement rings are gradually becoming more popular as couples look for alternatives to common metals without sacrificing the tradition of a gold ring. The addition of copper in the ring’s alloy gives it a stunning pink hue the perfectly matches the romantic symbolism of the ring as well as highlighting the distinction and elegance of the woman wearing it.

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