What Is Rose Gold? The Ultimate Guide for This Amazing Metal

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Rose Gold is an eye-catching metal with a distinctive look and history. If you’re considering it for an engagement ring, or some other special piece of jewelry, you’ll want to learn a little more about the metal to ensure it’s going to be the right fit.

What is Rose Gold? Rose Gold is a metal mixture that produces a beautiful and distinctive form of gold that is much more durable than pure gold naturally is. The main ingredient is Yellow Gold. The addition of Copper provides the warm rosy color that this metal is famous for. Silver and Zinc are also common additions.

In the paragraphs that follow, I’ll share all that you need to know about the history, care, uses, benefits, and challenges of Rose Gold. By the time you’re done with this post, you’ll know if it’s the right option for you, and how to care for your Rose Gold jewelry.

Is Rose Gold Real Gold?

Have you ever wondered, “where is Rose Gold from?” If so, you’re not alone, but it doesn’t come from special mines in a certain region of the world. Rose Gold is not a natural material—it’s produced, not found.

Some wonder, “Are Rose Gold and Copper the same? while it’s true that some Rose Gold looks very much like copper, Rose Gold is not the same as Copper. Copper and Gold are separate elements on the periodic table. Rose Gold is a manufactured offshoot of yellow gold. I referenced the fact that it’s a metal mixture a little earlier. I’ll talk more about specifically how it’s created in a moment.

So, what is Rose Gold made of? It’s actually a mixture of metals that is made up of yellow gold and other alloys that adapt the look, and other characteristics, of what started out a soft yellow metal—in fact, too soft for daily use as jewelry.

Rose Gold certainly DOES contain real gold (as much as 91.7% is made up of yellow gold), but it isn’t ONLY comprised of gold.

Are Rose Gold Rings Plated?

Rose Gold isn’t plated (or coated) with Copper or any other type of metal. The Copper-like color is the result of what’s in the gold—not something that sits on top. The fact that Rose Gold isn’t plated is a good thing because plated rings aren’t known for durability. Thin plating can wear through pretty quickly. The solid nature of Rose Gold makes it a much longer-lasting option than plated rings could provide.

Rose Gold vs Yellow Gold vs White Gold

This quick reference table outlines some of the features of these three versions of gold that are similar—as well as some that are different.

The amount of Copper used by each type of gold depends on the purity of the gold item being considered, and also varies to some degree based on manufacturer preferences. The cost of all three of these most common gold color offerings, tends be roughly the same.

What Does a Term like ‘14k Rose Gold’ Signify?

When discussing gold, the term ‘karat’ (typically abbreviated with a simple ‘k’) communicates the purity of gold. Pure gold (which has no other alloys mixed in) is described as 24 karat (or 24k). Gold is essentially measured in 24 parts (or units). When all 24 of those units contain ONLY gold, it’s dubbed 24k. 18 karat gold happens when 18 parts are pure gold (75% pure) and the remaining 6 parts are comprised of other metal alloys. 14k Rose Gold contains 14 parts pure of pure gold (it’s 58.3% pure) and 10 parts of other metal alloys. Finally, 10k rose gold includes 10 parts of pure gold and 14 parts that are comprised of other alloys.

As you can see, any number lower than 24 automatically indicates that the jewelry is a combination of gold and other metals. The lower the number, the more of those ‘other metals’ that have been mixed in. 10k jewelry contains less actual gold than 18k jewelry, for example. All of this is also true of yellow gold and white gold. Rose Gold is most commonly produced in 10k, 14k, and 18k, however, it can also be produced in 22k.

Difference Between Karats and Carats

While talking about things like engagement rings, you’ll hear the term Karats and Carats. Both are very distinct terms with different meanings. This can be confusing until you understand how the two differ from each other. Again, the term Karat (or Karats) is a measure of purity, that specifically relates to Gold. The more Karats gold contains (up to 24), the purer it is. The lower the Karat count, the less pure it is—and the more metal alloy the gold has mixed into it.

The term Carat (or Carats) is a measure of weight for gems that most commonly relates to Diamonds. Even though these two words sound the same, they can’t be used interchangeably, because they have such different meanings and purposes.

Can You Buy Pure Rose Gold?

Some people mislead consumers by using terms like “pure Rose Gold” or “solid Rose Gold. That would lead some to believe that their product is somehow all gold with no added alloys, but that’s an impossible product to actually deliver. 22k is the highest quality Rose Gold that you can purchase anywhere (having the maximum possible gold content, while still allowing room for some other alloys). Only 24k gold is more pure than 22k, but being pure gold (by definition), it can’t have the mix-ins that produce the famous Rose Gold coloring—which is why you can’t purchase 24k Rose Gold.

What is Rose Gold Made Of?

Each type of metal that’s included in Rose Gold makes a valuable contribution to the finished product. Each one affects its appearance or adds to its durability. Pure Gold is a very soft metal—much too soft to be worn daily as jewelry. The addition of certain metal alloys leads to a product that’s strong enough to withstand the abuse of daily wear.

I mentioned Copper a moment ago, but other common additions to the alloy mixture may include Silver and Zinc as well. Each manufacturer may use metals in slightly different proportions. Interested in a common Copper Gold ratio? Well, generally speaking, for 18k Rose Gold, Copper, Silver, and Zinc might be added in roughly the following proportions, for example:

Common Alloy Contributors for 18K Rose Gold

The remaining 75% of the finished metal would be comprised of pure (24k) Yellow Gold. Of course, The alloy metals referenced above, aren’t always used in the exact same proportions by different manufacturers. They may use different combinations (with or without Zinc for example) and ratios to influence the look and durability of their finished product.

The lower the gold purity level of the Rose Gold (10k for example), the darker (more copper-like) the metal will be. The purer the gold is (18k for example), the lighter the resulting metal will be (more soft and pink in appearance). Lower purity Rose Gold uses more copper in the metal mixture, which makes it more durable, and a deeper red. higher purity Rose Gold contains less copper, which leads to its light rosy coloring.

There’s no standard outlining exactly how much Copper has to be mixed with Gold for it to be marketed as Rose Gold. Manufacturers can add more to darken their metal or add a little less to produce something with a lighter tone.

Obviously, the higher the purity of the gold, the more expensive the jewelry will be. 14k gold contains 4 additional parts of gold than 10k gold would. Since gold isn’t cheap, the increase in gold content has a noticeable impact on price.

Because 22k, Rose Gold was used, for a time, to produce certain coins in England, Rose Gold of that purity (91.7% gold), is sometimes referred to as ‘Crown Gold’

What Color is Rose Gold — Is Rose Gold Pink?

The name Rose Gold, doesn’t identify a specific color, but rather a range of possible colors in the spectrum surrounding red and pink. The reason for the range of possible colors, is that the final hue is determined by the type and proportion of the alloy metals that are mixed with yellow gold to produce Rose Gold.

Again, this beautiful gold can be manufactured in 10k, 14k, 18k, or 22k. On the lower-purity end of that spectrum (10k), the coloring is darkest and the most copper-like. Less than 42% of 10k Rose Gold is comprised of yellow gold, Copper is the second-highest ingredient, which is why the shade is darker.

On the other end of the spectrum, nearly 92% of 22k Rose Gold is comprised of yellow gold. That leaves very little room for Copper or other metal additives. Because there’s less Copper added in, gold at the more-pure end of the spectrum has a much lighter, pinkish, coloring.

The terms ‘Pink Gold’ and ‘Red Gold’ are sometimes used to describe the coloring that is found in Rose Gold at each end of the color continuum. Again, because of varying amounts for Copper contributed to the mixture, the final product can take on a wide spectrum of shades. Some of those shades are given unique names, primarily for marketing purposes, like Strawberry Gold and Honey Gold, for example.

What Does Rose Gold Look Like?

The following image shows two rings with identical styling, but two different colors of gold. The ring on top is White Gold. The ring on bottom is Rose Gold. Can you see the reddish-pink overtone that’s quite different than the finish on yellow gold?

What Colors Go With Rose Gold?

Everyone has their own opinion regarding the color combinations that pair best with Rose Gold. Sometimes two colors blend effortlessly—complementing each other naturally. Other times, two colors have a beautiful contrast. You wouldn’t normally think of the two colors as ‘matching’ per se, but they look really vibrant and engaging together. The list that follows includes BOTH types of color combinations. These are some of the most common, and popular, color matchups for Rose Gold currently:

• White
• Pink shades (nudes, light copper, deep rose, etc)
• Burgundy
• Beige
• Light greys
• Metallics
• Blue (Navy blue, Sky Blue, Caspian Blue, Aqua, Teal)
• Green (Dark green, Mint green)
• Yellow

There’s not just one ‘right’ answer when it comes to fashion and style (beauty is in the eye of the beholder). If you’re wondering what color matches Rose Gold the very best — the closest matches would likely be shades on the pink scale.

When Was Rose Gold Made into Jewelry?

During the 19th century, it was a popular jeweler named Carl Faberge who made Rose Gold initially and introduced it to consumers. It was embraced and worn in Russia, so the pinkish gold was often referred to as ‘Russian Gold.’ The term Russian Gold isn’t extremely common today.

In reality, while Carl is recognized for bringing us Rose Gold jewelry, he wasn’t the first to intentionally, or sometimes unintentionally, create red or pink gold. In fact, ancient civilizations had a great deal of red gold because of impurities during their smelting process or other, or because of the addition of Copper to a mixture of Yellow Gold and Silver.

Russians were, essentially, the only ones wearing Rose Gold until the Victorian era (which began in 1837). As Rose Gold broke out into new regions of the world, it was readily adopted because its reddish-pink hue was feminine and distinctive.

By the 1920s, Rose Gold was being adopted and sought after by American women too. The use of yellow and rose gold for engagement rings and wedding bands declined around 1929, as Platinum was introduced as an exciting alternative. As World War II raged on, Platinum was needed for military purposes, so the metal was difficult to obtain for jewelry applications. Demand again shifted back to gold (both yellow gold and rose gold).

Are Rose Gold Engagement Rings Popular Today?

Yes, Rose Gold engagement rings are very popular, however, lots of people also purchase White Gold, Yellow Gold, and Platinum. So, you certainly don’t have to feel like you’re jumping on an overly crowded ‘bandwagon’ if you choose a Rose Gold e-ring.

I just did a quick search on Google Trends, to find out how many people are searching for information using the terms “rose gold engagement ring” vs those looking for “white gold engagement ring” or “platinum engagement ring.” Over the past year, the term ‘rose gold engagement ring” has steadily been searched more frequently than “white gold engagement ring.” Surprisingly, it’s gotten two to three times more traffic than the term “platinum engagement ring”. Those results confirm the trends that I’m seeing. Rose Gold is still a very popular option for those seeking an engagement ring.

Are rose gold engagement rings a fad? Based on the history that was mentioned earlier, it’s safe to say that Rose Gold engagement rings are much more than a passing trend or fad. It’s been worn, and sought after, in the US for more than 100 years now. I think it’s safe to say that Rose Gold won’t be going away anytime soon.

Is Rose Gold for Guys, or is Rose Gold Girly?

In the majority of cases, I’m confident that Rose Gold jewelry is purchased by (or for) women, however, men also frequently wear rose gold rings, bracelets, necklaces, and watches. So much of it comes down to the design of the particular Rose Gold item and what you’re wearing it with. While Rose Gold has an elegant and feminine appeal when applied to delicate settings, it can also exude an interesting coppery vibe (especially in 10k or 14k).

Because of that range of possible shades and the impact that the look of each unique piece of jewelry has, Rose Gold is a metal that can work well for both men and women.

Apple’s iPhone teaches us something about how much guys like the Rose Gold color and are embracing it. Rose Gold iPhones have been selling to guys at surprisingly high rates for years—to the point where many have started referring to the metal as “Bro’s Gold.”

What Types of Jewelry Can be Made with Rose Gold?

Anything that can be made with White or Yellow Gold can be made with Rose Gold. Rose Gold is a popular option for engagement rings, wedding rings, and anniversary bands that contain gems, as well as simple wedding bands. It’s also used for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and more.

Rose Gold is often chosen because it’s soft rose color complements the gems that it’s paired with, outfits, or the skin tone of the wearer.

Rose Gold and Silver Engagement Rings

Can you wear Rose Gold with Silver? Yes, absolutely. There are several possible ways to pair the two metals. Some very reasonably priced engagement rings have a base (or core) of Silver, with a thick outer layer of Rose Gold. You can read more about these Gold Vermeil engagement rings below.

There are also many two-tone engagement rings that marry these metal colors well. Silver is FAR less expensive than White Gold, so it can be a much more affordable option. Because White Gold has a Rhodium plating that needs to be reapplied periodically, Silver can be more practical for some. Silver does need care and cleaning, but it isn’t plated, so that maintenance can easily be done at home with minimal cost.

You can also wear separate Rose Gold and Silver rings at the same time if you’d like. Since silver is a light metal that doesn’t have a strong contrasting tone, the two pair well together. Wearing Yellow Gold along with Rose Gold can sometimes be a little more tricky because you have two more distinctive colors beside each other.

Why a Rose Gold Engagement Ring Could be Perfect

Rose Gold can really be striking when paired with the right stone. There’s a synergy that can happen, where the metal makes the stone more noticeable and beautiful, and similarly, where the stone draws your attention to the beautiful tone of the metal used. I’ve noticed this happen with beautiful colorless diamonds and with Morganite for example. I especially love to see Rose Gold paired with Morganite because they both have a complimentary pinkish complexion that goes so well together.

Rose Gold has a soft and gentle appearance that can add to the feminine look of many setting styles. That characteristic might make it the perfect choice for your engagement ring.

Some people have asked me, ‘are rose gold engagement rings tacky’? If there’s any question in your mind, talk to your partner about what THEY like. It’s said that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ Ideally, you and your partner would be able to agree on the details of the ring that you purchase before you purchase it…or at least before the return period lapses. While Rose Gold is a popular option, it isn’t as prevalent as White Gold and Yellow Gold, meaning that your partner’s special ring can still appear more unique and distinctive.

On a practical note, Rose Gold is also a lower maintenance option than many of the other metals that are commonly used for engagement rings which—means improved scratch resistance. Since it isn’t plated, so you don’t have to worry about re-coating the ring periodically (the way you would with White Gold).

Is Rose Gold Too Trendy for an Engagement Ring?

Rose Gold engagement rings aren’t a recent fad (something that will come and go), As I mentioned earlier, they’ve been a popular option for generations. Your Rose Gold e-ring should be something you appreciate just as much twenty years from now as you do today.

As a fall back plan, you could always have your Rose Gold engagement ring covered in another type of gold or Platinum if you ever decide that you want to change the look of your ring. That’s a great way to change up the style, while still keeping your original ring and all its sentimental value intact.

Can Rose Gold be Resized?

Yes, absolutely—BUT—the process isn’t as straightforward as it is for rings made of Yellow Gold. There are several reasons for this.

1. There are MANY different shades of Rose Gold, so the metal can be hard to match seamlessly when you’re trying to expand the size of your ring.
2. Smaller jewelers often don’t have the right solder on hand.
3. Rose Gold is fairly brittle. It can crack if too stressed during the resizing process, so it can be more difficult to work with.

White Gold is similarly brittle, and therefore somewhat difficult to resize, but it also has Rhodium plating that has to be reapplied after the size adjustment is made. While replating adds some hassle and cost, it also makes resizing White Gold easier because getting an exact match on the metal underneath the plating is much less important—since it’s never seen.

If you check with local jewelers that tell you the won’t be able to resize your ring, don’t assume that no one can. You should have better luck if you go to a larger jeweler that sells a lot of Rose Gold rings. The sizing process should be simple for them. Since they’re resizing Rose Gold frequently, they’ll have the skills and materials that they need.

Resizing typically costs anywhere between $20 to $150. Decreasing the size of your ring will be less expensive than increasing ring size. When ring-size is increased, additional gold has to be added, which increases the cost of the service. Some retailers do free resizing (at least within a certain timeframe). It’s best to ask about resizing before you buy. If the retailer that you’re thinking of buying from (either online or offline) can’t resize your Rose Gold Ring for you, should you need that, I’d consider buying somewhere else.

This is the online retailer that I trust most for Rose Gold rings. Not only do they offer a huge selection of settings in Rose Gold, but they also have a great return policy and FREE resizing during the first year that you own your ring. Engraving is also complimentary. What’s REALLY interesting, is that they offer so many center stone options. You can purchase a traditional earth-mined diamond, a lab-grown diamond, or a colored gemstone from them (a pink Sapphire can be gorgeous when set against Rose Gold).

If your ring is only a little too large (within a half size or so), a jeweler can add dots to the inside of your band instead, to help it fit more snuggly. You can also use an inexpensive product like this one to adjust the fit of your ring without having to pay a jeweler. It might at least be a helpful temporary measure until you can find the right jeweler to do the work for you. At less than $5, it’s quick and affordable option.

Are Rose Gold Rings Durable?

Rose Gold rings are durable. They aren’t as hard as some metals but they’re harder than many others. You can wear them daily without concern over wearing them out in the course of normal everyday activities. Having said that, they can still get scratched if they come in contact with something hard enough. As with any other type of ring that you value, you should probably take it off before working (or playing) in the yard, or similar environments, where it might come in contact with objects that could gouge or scratch it.

Can Rose Gold Go in Water?

I get these questions a lot…”Can you wear Rose Gold in the pool?” “Can you wear Rose Gold in the Shower?” There are countless other scenario-based questions like those involving water. In reality, Rose Gold is no different than Yellow Gold in terms of care and maintenance. Exposing your ring to water on a regular basis can dull its appearance because of hard water buildup on the surface of the Rose Gold. That dulling effect isn’t a permanent condition though…once you clean your ring it should look as good as new again.

The bigger danger is in repeated exposure to chlorine and saltwater over time. Both of those elements can attack the alloys that hold your prongs in place and weaken them. Copper reacts to bromine (which is used in hot-tubs and pools). Because Copper is such a major component of Rose Gold, this can become a real issue. As prongs are gradually weakened, they’re more likely to bend or break, which could result in the loss of your center stone.

What’s scary about that gradual damage, is that you can see it’s effect with the naked eye. You have to view the ring under a microscope (and know what to look for) in order to recognize the damage that’s accruing over time. Most people glance at their ring, see no visible damage, and then assume that their ring isn’t being harmed by continued contact with pool water for example. I recently had someone tell me that they’ve been swimming with their gold ring on for years, and it’s fine. Yes, it LOOKS fine, but then, they always do right before a prong bends or breaks. I’ve seen this first-hand. It’s happened to my wife’s Gold ring.

I wrote an entire article recently, about whether you should swim, shower, soak in a hot tub, or play in the ocean with your ring on. The focus was on the effect this water (and the chemicals in it) has on both a Moissanite stone and on the Gold that’s in the setting. You may want to review that for information on protecting your ring.

Does Rose Gold Tarnish?

No, while Rose Gold contains a fair amount of copper (which is known to tarnish), Rose Gold is a non-corrosive metal, and fortunately, will not tarnish as it’s exposed to oxygen and other elements.

Can Rose Gold Rust?

No, rust is another form of corrosion that Rose Gold is not susceptible to. Regardless of how often you get your Rose Gold ring wet, it will not rust.

Does Rose Gold Fade with Time?

Rose Gold won’t fade as time passes, but it may take on a slightly darker complexion over the course of many years of wear. The change is something that many welcome and love. It provides a slightly more vintage appearance that can even enhance the look of the ring.

How to Clean Rose Gold Safely?

There are two very common, and inexpensive, methods for cleaning this metal that you may want to consider. For the first, you’ll simply fill a bowl with warm water and a little mild dish soap. After allowing the ring to soak for several minutes, gently scrub it with a baby toothbrush to remove any buildup and restore shine. Rinse well, and dry thoroughly, when you’re done.

Another simple option is to use a white toothpaste (not the colored or get type). Again, you’ll use a wet baby toothbrush to very gently scrub the ring clean before rinsing and drying.

Can Rose Gold Make Your Finger Green or Black?

It’s pretty rare, but some people can experience a green mark on their finger when they wear Rose Gold—especially when it’s brand new. The marks will frequently diminish and then disappear with time.

Why do green finger marks from Rose Gold affect some people but not affect others? There can be several potential causes. Sometimes people are using a lotion, face powder, or some other cream or beauty product that’s causing the issue. They frequently find that the issue completely disappears when they stop using the offending product. The only way to find the product that’s causing the issue, is to rotate though and stop using them (or switch brands) one-by-one for a little while to see if the issue changes.

Sometimes extreme stress, hormonal changes, or even alcohol can lead to green lines from Rose Gold for some individuals. There are some simple and inexpensive treatments that you can do to stop the finger stain while you try to find the underlying culprit. This product can be applied to the inside of your ring to create an invisible barrier between your skin and the ring. It’s long-lasting and effective.

Another solution could be clear fingernail polish. It essentially works the same way, but will probably need to be reapplied more frequently.

Can Rose Gold Irritate Skin?

Since Rose Gold contains Copper, Silver, and Zinc, anyone allergic to those specific metals may experience some irritation, however, it isn’t very common. Those with very sensitive skin will generally only have issues with Rose Gold that’s not at least 18k—because 18k has significantly LESS non-gold alloy in it than 10k or 14k does.

If you frequently have allergic reactions to gold, I’d suggest that you stick with higher-purity 18k or 22k jewelry exclusively.

Does Rose Gold Have Nickel?

Fortunately, Rose Gold typically doesn’t contain any Nickel. Nickel is a common additive in White Gold that can cause real issues for those that have a sensitivity to it. If you have a Nickel allergy, you may want to invest in an inexpensive jewelry testing kit that will quickly let you know if a new jewelry item has Nickel in it. That could save you the risk of a potential reaction for future purchases.

Are Rose Gold Engagement Rings More Expensive?

No, they typically aren’t. The cost of Rose Gold is roughly the same as the cost for Yellow Gold or White Gold of similar purity. That makes sense when you realize that 24k gold is the most expensive ingredient in any type of gold mixture. 14k yellow gold, 14k white gold, and 14k Rose Gold would all have the same amount of 24k mixed in, but the composition of the alloy being mixed in would be a little different in each case, the cost of those various recipes for lower-cost metal allows doesn’t vary significantly.

What is Rose Gold Worth?

Because rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces all come in a wide variety of designs, It’s hard to say categorically how much you should expect to pay for a particular kind of Rose Gold jewelry item, but I can give you some guidelines and resources for determining the basic value for Rose Gold jewelry.

You can start by looking up the spot price for gold. If you do a Google search for the term, “gold spot price per gram,” you’ll see that information displayed at the top of the search result page (without having to click into any particular site. The spot price today, is $47.95 per gram. Knowing this, you would simply need to know the weight and purity of the gold item you would like to buy. If you’re looking at 18k Gold, then it’s 75% gold (18 our of 24 units are gold, while the others are an alloy mixture). This means that after multiplying the weight (in grams) of your gold jewelry item by $47.95 (or whatever the value is when you’re doing this math), you’d need to multiply again by 75% to account for the portion of the item that is composed of pure gold. Make sense?

How Much Does Rose Gold Cost?

While it’s handly to know the process for determining the basic value of a Rose Gold jewelry item, it isn’t very practical for determining what the cost of a new ring should be, because theirs a lot more built into the price than just the value of the metal alone. The easier, and more useful, process, is to shop several trusted retailers to get a sense for what rings of a particular size and style are selling for. As you look at the offerings of enough sellers, you’ll start to recognize a great deal when you see one for the style that you’re most interested in. Here’s the online retailer that I recommend for Rose Gold rings. They’re top-notch, have great service, and really fair prices.

How to Save Significant Money on Rose Gold Jewelry.

Frugal and cheap aren’t the same thing. Frugal means demanding maximum value for every dollar that you spend, while cheap is wrapped up in spending as little as possible. Someone that’s cheap might go for a Rose Gold plated ring—even if it’s not expected to last very long. A Frugal buyer might be willing to pay a little more to purchase a quality ring that’s equally attractive but A LOT more durable. This is where opportunities to purchase Rose Gold Vermeil or Rose Gold Filled jewelry might really be of interest.

What is Gold Vermeil?

First, it’s a word that’s unintentionally mispronounced all the time. People that are unfamiliar with it often say, ‘ver-MEAL’, but it should be pronounced ‘ver-MAY’.

In a nutshell, Rose Gold Vermeil is a thick coating of Rose Gold over a base of Sterling Silver. Sterling Silver costs a small fraction of what Gold costs, so Gold Vermeil can provide a beautiful ring that looks FAR more expensive than it actually was.

How is a Rose Gold Vermeil Different From Simple Rose Gold Plating?

When Gold is applied as a ‘plating’ over another base metal, it can be applied very thinly. Thin plating saves the manufacturer on material costs. Eventually, the plating will wear through. If it’s a very thin layer (and it typically is), that could happen incredibly quickly.

For example, I purchased a beautiful, but very inexpensive, imported ring for my wife. I knew it was a plated ring when I purchased it. I was curious to see how long the plating would hold up. My wife wore the ring constantly for about one-month before the plating was completely shot and the base metal was showing through and discoloring her finger—It was a VERY thin plating.

By contrast, Gold Vermeil is made with at least 10k (more commonly 14k, 18k, or 22k) Gold. It’s also applied to an industry-standard thickness of at least 2.5 microns. That may not sound like much, but compared to gold plating (which has no thickness standards), it’s a drastic improvement.

Another really important difference has to do with the quality, and consistency, of the base metal that is used for each process. A Rose Gold plated (or dipped) ring, for example, will most often have a base of brass, copper, or silver. A Rose Gold Vermeil ring should ALWAYS have a base of Sterling Silver (which is a higher quality metal for Jewelry applications).

The length of time that any piece of jewelry continues to look nice depends on how it’s manufactured and used. It’s a safe bet that Rose Gold Vermeil will outlast a Rose Gold plated ring every time, and should in fact, last for years before any type of treatment or repair might be needed.

You can typically tell that a particular item is Rose Gold Vermeil if the piece appears to be made of Rose Gold, but has ‘.925’ stamped somewhere inside the ring. That stamp means that it’s made with 92.5% pure silver, which is the purity of Sterling Silver. That stamp indicates that even though you see gold on the outside of the ring, there’s Sterling Silver at its core.

What is Rose Gold Filled?

If something is advertised as “rose gold filled” by a reputable retailer, or manufacturer, it means that a thick coating of Rose Gold has been pressure bonded to a base metal (which is usually ‘Jeweler’s Brass’). In order to market a piece of jewelry as Rose Gold filled, it has to have at LEAST 5% of the total weight of the piece in, at least, 14k rose gold. That leads to a gold layer that’s often 100 times thicker than gold plated jewelry has!

Like Gold Vermeil, gold filled jewelry is gold that’s coating a different type of base metal. There are two key distinctions between Rose Gold Vermeil jewelry and Rose Gold Filled Jewelry.

• The type of base metal used. Gold Vermeil uses Sterling Silver, while Gold-Filled generally utilizes Brass.
• The thickness of the gold application. Gold Vermeil has to be at least 2.5 microns thick, while Gold Filled has to contain at LEAST 5% of the total jewelry weight in gold, which usually ends up being an even thicker layer than Gold Vermeil utilizes.

Rose Gold Vermeil and Rose Gold Filled jewelry accomplish essentially the same thing in slightly different ways. Both are useful for buying jewelry that appears to be far more expensive than it actually is, and that should last a really long time.

If you see a stamp on your jewelry that says, “1/20 14KGF,” and you’re buying from a reputable retailer, you can be sure that it contains at least 5% Gold. This stamp tells us the percentage of gold that was applied, the purity of that gold (14k), and the fact that it’s a Gold Filled (‘GF’) piece.

You’re kind of getting the best of both worlds when you buy either Gold Vermeil or Gold-filled jewelry, because the part of your ring that matters (how it looks and wears), is essentially the exact same as it would be if it didn’t have a less expensive base metal in the middle. Because the center ISN’T filled with Gold, you’re able to save significant money on the jewelry—and no one is going to see that part of the ring anyway! It’s a great way to purchase a frugal engagement ring that looks, and wears, like an expensive ring.

Rose Gold plating is super thin, Gold Vermeil is significantly thicker, but Rose Gold Filled is the thickest (and most durable) application of gold. Only buy Gold Vermeil and Gold Filled jewelry from retailers and manufacturers that you have real trust and confidence in. There are some sellers that sell plated Rose Gold jewelry as “Gold Filled,” when it’s not even close to meeting those standards, so you have to be careful, especially when buying from unknown sources.

Rolled Gold vs Gold Filled

Most people use these two terms interchangeably, but others use the term ‘Rolled Gold’ to describe something very similar to a Gold Filled product—that has less than 5% gold (and therefore can’t actually qualify as ‘Gold Filled’). Because of the different ways that the term is used, It’s REALLY IMPORTANT to be able to understand the meaning of the stamps on your jewelry—so you can tell what they’re made of.

You might see something like “1/40 14KRG” for example. That stamp would tell you that the piece contains 2.5% gold, with a 14k purity, and that it’s Rolled Gold (“RG”).

Rose Gold Can Save You Money on Your Diamond Too!

Light-colored metals, like Silver, White Gold, and Platinum, work best with extremely colorless center stones. If you have a Diamond, for example, that has a slightly yellow hue, it’s going to stand out when it’s set against something as light as White Gold. The challenge, is that very colorless diamonds sell at a BIG premium.

When you pair a diamond with a slightly yellow hue against a darker metal setting, like Rose Gold, the metal actually makes the stone appear to be more colorless than it actually is. A diamond with a yellow hue might sell for 30% to 50% less than a colorless diamond of the same size. Because of this, you can save SIGNIFICANT money on your diamond by using beautiful Rose Gold, coupled with a Diamond that’s graded as low as ‘J’ or ‘K’, rather than a more colorless ‘D’ or ‘E’.

Does Rose Gold Need to be Dipped?

If your rose gold isn’t plating over some other type of base metal, it’s going to be the same color all the way through. If that’s the case, you won’t need to reapply a coating or ‘dip’ your Rose Gold jewelry. Plated metals like White Gold (which is typically plated with Rhodium) need to have their plating reapplied periodically. That process is sometimes referred to as getting ‘dipped.’

Rose Gold is a lower maintenance metal than White Gold because it doesn’t need this kind of replating. The level of Copper content in Rose Gold also makes it a more durable material than either White Gold or Yellow Gold.

The Pros and Cons of Rose Gold

To summarize and simplify the information that’s been shared to this point, I’ve outlined the primary pros and cons of Rose Gold jewelry below.

The Pros of Rose Gold:

• The Coloring uniquely complements skin tones and many types of center stones.
• Much more reasonably priced than some other metal options—due partially to the fact that less expensive ingredients like Copper, Silver, and Zinc make up some portion of the material.
• Rose gold is low maintenance. It doesn’t have to be plated with something like rhodium the way that white gold does. Rhodium plating eventually wears through, and has to be reapplied.
• Durability, created through the nature and ratio of the alloys that are mixed in. It’s actually more durable than either white or yellow gold.
• This metal is used for both men’s and women’s jewelry and watches…and can work well in both cases.

The Cons of Rose Gold:

• Jewelers offer more designs in Yellow or White Gold. Rose Gold is less widely available as an option for specific pieces.
• Resizing can be a little more difficult.
• Some people with extreme sensitivity to some of its component metals can experience skin irritation—particularly when wearing gold with higher alloy content (like 10k jewelry).

In Summary

Rose gold is a popular range of gold colors that have been around for quite some time. They can span from light, subtle pinkish undertones, to dark copper-like hues. The metal can be striking and elegant when paired with many styles, skin tones, and center stones. It’s looks, combined with its durability, have made rose gold a popular choice for engagement rings and other jewelry items in the U.S. for many decades.

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