Engagement rings can come in various styles and with different stones. But the metal itself is another feature where you might opt for a novel, bespoke choice. A good example of this would be rose gold.
When looking at engagement rings, it is certainly true that attention will be fixed on the stone. You only have to think of how you react when someone you know gets engaged: The first thing you are likely to look at is the sparkling big diamond or impressive sapphire.
Of course, not every engagement ring is like that. Some may go for a solitaire with one stone (usually a diamond), while others may have a big sapphire surrounded by diamonds in the ‘Diana Ring’ style.
However, others may opt for a trilogy ring of three stones, or no stones at all.
Nonetheless, the gemstone choice is the one that is usually the central point of focus, both for the wearer and for admiring friends and family.
The metal used may get less attention, but there is usually a small list of possible materials:
- Gold
- Silver
- Platinum
Historically, rings might have commonly been made out of non-precious metals, such as copper alloys (bronze or brass), although the wealthy could use silver or gold, highlighting their higher status and economic position, which would, of course, be intertwined.
How Does Copper Help Create A Rose Gold Colour?
In more modern times and a more affluent society, precious metals have dominated, but copper alloys have not disappeared from the mix, so to speak, although it is a very different kind of mixture in this case.
This is because rose gold offers an alternative option for rings that provides a beautiful, compelling option, with copper being mixed into the alloy to create its wonderful warm pink colour.
It is important to note that no gold ring is pure gold, with what is classed as gold being measured in karats according to its purity:
- 24 karats is the mark of pure or almost pure (99.9 per cent plus) gold, which is what gold bars in vaults are made from
- 24 karat gold is not used in jewellery as it is too soft
- Lower karat numbers indicate the proportion of other metals added in an alloy to make it stronger and less vulnerable to scratches
- 18 karat gold (75 per cent gold) and 14 karat gold (58.3 per cent) are commonly used in jewellery
- 10 karat (41.7 per cent) is the lowest level at which the alloy can still legally be classed as gold
In most cases, the alloy includes metals that still maintain a shiny yellow colour, albeit not as bright a yellow as 24 karat or 22 karat gold. For example, yellow gold contains varied amounts of copper and silver, which can be adjusted to alter how yellow it looks.
Rose gold takes this a little further by adding more copper to the mix, with the metal appearing redder the more copper is added.
Similarly, white gold can be created by adding silver-coloured metals like nickel and palladium.
How Much Copper Is In Rose Gold?
In the case of rose gold, the karat measurement is still high, at 14 or 18, meaning that the amount of copper in the alloy measures between 25 and 41.7 per cent. A small amount of silver or other metals can still be added to create the desired colour balance.
This brings us to the question of whether rose gold is a good option for an engagement ring. Three questions may be asked:
- Is it a fairly robust alloy suitable for daily wear?
- Is it fashionable?
- For those who take inspiration from celebrities, have any famous people been showing off such a ring recently?
The answer to all those questions is yes. The first of these is the simplest query to answer because, as explained above, the use of copper and other metals makes a gold ring tougher than pure gold. It can certainly be worn daily.
How Fashionable Is Rose Gold Today?
When it comes to fashion, rose gold has been described as ‘cyclical’ by business market analysts Accio. It notes that the style first came to prominence in 19th century Russia and was popular in Victorian times and, later, in the interwar Art Deco period.
Subsequently, it fell away in popularity but has revived in more recent years. As Accio put it, this type of gold has “transcended its initial perception as a fleeting trend to establish itself as a significant and enduring presence”.
Indeed, predictions that rose gold would fall back out of fashion have been made many times and turned out to be wrong. For example, in 2018 the BBC ran a feature on the shade under the headline “Rose Gold: the fashion trend that just won’t go away”.
This did not just apply to jewellery, but also items ranging from cars to mobile phones.
Eight years on, this remains the case and this should come as no surprise, as there is something utterly compelling about the colour and its ‘alternative’ hue will always work for those who want to stand out.
Which Celebrities Wear Rose Gold Engagement Rings?
There are certainly plenty of celebrities who have worn rose gold engagement rings, a current case being American actor Dove Cameron. She got engaged to Italian singer-songwriter Damiano David earlier this year.
Unusually, the ring came as part of a pair, with Damiano having his own rose gold ring. In Dove’s case, it is an 18-karat rose gold ring with a deep pink hue, with an Asscher-cut diamond.
Other celebrities with rose gold engagement rings have included Blake Lively, Jessica Biel and Chrissy Teigen.
Notably, all the above ladies had a diamond on their rings, although the styles and cuts varied. That does not mean that diamonds are your only option, however.
Opinions may vary on which gems and colours may go well with rose gold, but one suggestion is that, while it is a versatile metal that will go very nicely with many colours, because it also has a very warm look, it would clash with icy blue hues.
As ever, whatever ideas you want to consider, we can help you to come up with a unique bespoke rose gold ring that will truly stand out and also stand the test of time.