It is usually best to have some background knowledge before spending money on a piece of jewelry so that you can make an informed decision. This will help prevent you from purchasing the wrong jewelry, a counterfeit item, or one that restricts your possibilities. These morsels of knowledge can also assist you in predicting how long the jewelry will last, how to care for it, and what colors complement the jewelry’s color at first glance.
Without further ado, let us explore rose gold in its entirety.
What is Rose Gold?
Rose gold is an alloy of gold, copper, and sometimes silver. An alloy is a metal created by mixing two or more metals. Rose gold has a gold-tinged pink hue resulting from the combination of copper and silver with pure gold. An easy way to identify lower-carat rose gold is that it will appear pinker due to the presence of more copper, while those that have a more golden appearance contain more gold and therefore have a higher karatage.
What is Rose Gold made of?
Rose gold, as stated earlier, is made up mainly of copper, pure gold, and small amounts of silver.
- Composition
The composition of a rose gold item depends on its karatage. The percentage of gold in 10K rose gold is 41.7%, along with copper, silver, and other metals. 20% silver and 38.3% copper are the most common alloy compositions used in making 10K rose gold. 14K rose gold is composed of about 58% pure gold, 42% copper, and about 2% silver. 18K rose gold has 75% gold, 22.25% copper, and 2.75% silver. The most expensive rose gold alloy, 22K rose gold, is made up of an alloy of 91.66% gold and 8.33% copper.
- How it’s Made
Rose gold is made by fusing specific quantities of gold, copper, and silver. The final color of the product is determined by the amount of copper and silver used.
Does Rose Gold Tarnish Easily？
Corrosion tarnishes even the most aesthetically pleasing piece of jewelry. This is why it is important to consider an item’s corrosion resistance when purchasing jewelry. Having said that, a piece may tarnish more quickly than another piece of the same make or specifications due to several factors that accelerate the rate of corrosion in jewels.
The focus here is rose gold, right? So let’s see if rose gold actually tarnishes easily.
Because of its composition, rose gold is resistant to tarnishing and corrosion. As a result, unlike other types of jewelry, it will not tarnish or corrode over time. Over time, you may notice a minor hue change. This is due to the jewelry’s growing thin layer of metal “patina” on its surface. This layer of patina dulls the surface of the alloy. Nonetheless, it is easily eliminated with proper cleaning.
How Long Does Rose Gold Last?
As a metal with high resistance to tarnishing, rose gold jewelry of good quality will last for many years. Because 14K rose gold contains more metal alloys than 18K rose gold, 14K rose gold is more durable and stronger than 18K rose gold.
For those who adore the look but can’t afford the real rose gold price tag, rose gold plating is a less expensive alternative. The rose gold color is achieved by dipping a base into a solution of gold, silver, and copper. However, the resiliency characteristic of genuine rose gold is sacrificed in this kind of jewelry. Two to three years may pass before the rose gold plating starts to fade. You can quickly determine if rose gold is plated by looking for the hallmark stamping. You can get stamps indicating 14K, 750, or 18K. Since rose gold is essentially an alloy, any item marked “24K” is probably a fake.
Another alternative method to check if rose gold is fake, although it doesn’t necessarily prove its authenticity, is to check its response to magnets. Your jewelry is fake rose gold if the magnet sticks to it.
How to Clean Rose Gold Jewelry
Even though rose gold is extremely durable, harsh chemicals and strong jewelry cleaners can still damage it. If you wear rose gold jewelry frequently, it is advisable that you gently clean it once a month to restore its brightness.
In general, rose gold jewelry can be cleaned similarly to other gold jewelry, but it’s important to take precautions, especially if it’s antique, to retain its hue.
The deeper color rose gold takes on over time due to the copper content actually increases its value. Because of this, you shouldn’t try to remove that color using a harsh chemical cleaner.
Here are a few methods to follow in cleaning your rose gold jewelry:
- Wash with soap and water:
You can clean most rose gold objects with gentle soap and water. Using this method on stones and different kinds of metals is safe. However, it might be challenging to entirely rinse off, so avoid using it on items like watches that you can’t get pretty wet to totally clean.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to clean jewelry using this method:
- To start, cover the bottom of the bowl in which your jewelry is submersed with a soft cloth or towel to prevent your jewelry from getting scratched by the surface of the bowl.
- Then, fill the bowl with warm water and a light dishwashing liquid or soap. It should only take five minutes to remove typical oils and debris from jewelry. Nevertheless, you may want to let it sit for longer depending on how dirty it is.
You should completely avoid soap if your rose gold jewelry has porous gemstones such as pearls.
- Remove the jewelry from the soap solution and rub the jewelry with your fingertips, a soft napkin, or a soft brush for dirtier jewelry.
- Immerse the jewelry in clean, lukewarm water and rinse with delicate care
- Utilize a lint-free cloth to dry. A lint-free cloth is a special cleaning cloth that does not shed any fluff when used. An example of a lint-free cloth is microfiber clothes used in cleaning glasses.
- White distilled vinegar and salt:
This mixture is very corrosive and should not be used when your rose gold jewelry has gemstones on it, except for diamonds.
Here’s a step-by-step guide for using this method:
- Pour white vinegar into a container large enough to contain your jewelry
- Add table salt and stir. Keep adding until it stops dissolving. This creates a strong solution that is capable of removing tarnish from your jewelry and restoring its shine.
- Immerse the rose gold jewelry in the solution for a few seconds. If the layer of tarnish is thick, immersion may be done for about one minute. Due to the strength of the solution, the jewelry should not be left in it for an extended period of time, or the copper component may corrode.
- Remove the jewelry from the solution and rinse it in clean, lukewarm water immediately.
- Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth.
- Commercial cleaners:
You can make use of commercial cleaners to clean items that you cannot immerse in water, such as your watch. Commercial cleaners contain chemicals effective against the layer of patina that is responsible for dulling the surface of the jewelry.
Commercial cleaners usually come with a user manual to guide you on how to apply them to your jewelry without damaging it.
What Color Does Rose Gold Go With?
Rose gold is a color that blends well with an array of colors, whether in clothing or for other complementary jewelry. Its soft hue allows it to accommodate more vibrant tones in order to give a sophisticated overall design. It also goes well with neutral colors such as gray, white, or black, which provide a balance to the brilliance of the metal.
Let’s quickly examine a few of the many colors that go well with rose gold
- Gold
Rose gold complements yellow gold beautifully. This is a common quandary for folks who want to complement their rose gold attire with jewelry. However, don’t worry, the colors don’t clash. In truth, the softness of rose gold and the aggressiveness of yellow gold complement each other. This color combination is quickly becoming a trend because it adds a sense of savoir-faire to one’s attire.
- Pink
All shades of pink, whether in jewelry or clothing, go well with rose gold. Rose gold in itself has a pink color. Therefore, the combination of rose gold with pink gemstones such as morganite, pezzottaite, pink opal, and so on, or pink clothing, creates a visual progression through various shades of pink, which can be aesthetically pleasing. There is no clashing because they are essentially tones of the same color.
- Transparent Crystal
Rose gold looks great with crystal quartz. The brightness of crystal quartz contrasts nicely with the softer shine of rose gold, creating a kind of calm background against the harsher glimmer of crystal stones.
Key Takeaway
As people seek alternatives to the more piercing brilliance of more vibrant colors, rose gold has become more and more popular. Jewelry designers are fast correcting the former idea that rose gold is just for individuals who cannot afford yellow gold, as high-end rose gold jewelry has swept the market by storm.
After all is said and done, the best method to keep your jewelry safe from damage and to keep it looking excellent is to take proper care of it. Avoid wearing your rose gold jewelry while exercising or cleaning, and if at all possible, take it off before going to bed and before taking a shower or bath. This will help preserve the metal and ensure that you are able to enjoy it for many years.
