Interested In Rose Gold Jewelry? Understand What Makes The Rose Color
Posted on: 17 April 2015
When determining what color gold to purchase, it really all comes down to what the person who'll wear the jewelry desires. If you're new to buying gold, you might at first think that rose gold is a naturally occurring precious metal. But this guide explains what you need to know about gold and how the professionals create the rose/pink color you see.
Gold is Not a Rose Color
Gold is yellow. There are no two ways about it. Real gold is always going to be yellow. Therefore, professionals have to combine various metals with gold in order to obtain the color their client wants.
More Copper Alloys Are Added
When mixing any type of gold jewelry, professionals mix gold, copper, nickel, zinc or silver together to create the perfect color. To achieve a rose gold look, jewelers reduce the amount of white-colored metals, and increase the amount of copper.
The amount of copper used determines the intensity of redness in the piece. Most rose-colored gold jewelry pieces feature a pinkish look, but some pieces provide a more pronounced reddish tint.
Rose Gold Has the Same Amount of Gold
Even though the process of combining metals to create rose gold means that less silver and more copper is used, the amount of gold in the piece does not change. You'll still purchase 14K or 18K gold.
Beware of sales that indicate the gold is 24K under the rose gold color. This is pure gold and will always be yellow.
Types of Jewelry With Rose Gold
Rose gold is not a typical engagement ring choice. But it is a great color to choose for the following types of jewelry pieces:
- pendants
- broaches
- right-hand rings
- earrings
Rose Gold Plating
After the jewelers create your piece, it is electroplated with a rose gold layer to add shine and a more pronounced color. The plating eventually wears off, and you'll have to have it electroplated again. Because the piece is rose gold underneath, you'll only notice a slight difference in shine when this occurs.
Even though rose gold is electroplated like most other jewelry pieces, you won't have the same look if you try to electroplate a gold or white gold piece with rose gold plating. When the plating wears off, there will be an obvious difference in the metals.
Review all pieces of gold carefully before you buy them. Ask for a certificate proving that what you have is in fact gold. Follow all the care instructions for your rose gold carefully so that you or the person you're buying it for can enjoy it for years.
Talk to experts like Ed's Coins for more information.
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