Rose gold is gold alloyed with copper, which gives it a warm pink tone that runs all the way through the metal. It never needs plating, and copper makes it the most scratch-resistant of the three gold colours. At Savoir-Faire Jewellery we make rose gold rings in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct, and 14ct rose is the toughest gold we offer.
This guide goes deeper on rose gold than our gold vs platinum guide, which compares all four metals.
What is rose gold made of?
Rose gold is pure gold mixed with copper, usually with a little silver. Pure gold is too soft for a ring worn every day, so all gold jewellery is an alloy. In rose gold, copper does most of the work, and the more copper, the pinker the metal.
| Rose gold | Pure gold | Hallmark | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18ct | 75% | 750 | A soft, delicate blush |
| 14ct | 58.5% | 585 | Deeper rose; more copper |
| 9ct | 37.5% | 375 | The most copper; the deepest, most coppery tone |
Rose gold isn't one fixed colour. Each alloy maker's mix is slightly different, so two rose golds of the same purity can be noticeably different shades. That matters if you're matching a wedding band to a rose gold engagement ring from another jeweller: see the two together before you commit.
Is rose gold durable?
Yes. It is the toughest of the gold colours, and the most underrated fact about it. Copper is harder than the silver and zinc used in most yellow gold alloys, so rose gold is the most scratch-resistant gold colour at any given purity. 14ct rose gold, with more copper than 18ct, is the toughest option in the whole gold range.
Like all gold, rose gold loses a tiny amount of metal each time it is scratched or polished, so it thins very slowly over decades. But if you want warmth and durability without platinum's weight, 14ct rose is the pick most buyers overlook.
Does rose gold tarnish or fade?
No. Rose gold doesn't fade, because its colour is the metal itself. Unlike white gold, there is no plating to wear through, so a rose gold ring stays rose gold, and scratches polish out.
Over many years the colour can deepen slightly as the copper reacts with air and skin. 9ct rose gold, with the most non-gold metal, can dull a little faster and may want an occasional polish. 14ct and 18ct hold their colour well. A professional clean and polish restores any of them.
Is rose gold good for an engagement ring?
Yes. It is hard-wearing, needs no plating and suits a wide range of designs. Rose gold works especially well with vintage-inspired designs and softer shapes like oval, pear and cushion. Its tone is distinctive, so it is worth seeing in person or on video before you decide.
The part of any gold engagement ring that needs watching is the claws, which hold your diamond and slowly wear. Have them checked every three to six months on a ring worn every day. Our jewellery care guide explains what to look for.
Browse our rose gold engagement rings to see the finished designs.
Which diamonds look best in rose gold?
Any well-cut diamond: a white diamond stands out sharply against rose gold's warmth, which is much of its appeal. Cut matters more than anything else for sparkle, which is why every stone grade we offer is Excellent cut.
Shape is where rose gold has a preference. Softer, rounded shapes like oval, pear and cushion echo the warmth of the metal. Ovals and pears also look bigger per carat than a round, so they make the most of the budget. Our guide to the 4Cs covers the rest of choosing the stone.
How do you know if rose gold suits you?
Look at the jewellery you already wear every day. Metal colour is one of the easier choices to get right: your everyday earrings, watch and necklace usually tell you which tones you reach for. If you wear a mix, rose gold often sits comfortably between yellow and white.
Copper sensitivity is rare, but if you have reacted to copper-rich metals before, platinum is the safer choice for a ring you will wear every day.
18ct or 14ct rose gold?
- 18ct has the softest, most delicate blush and the most gold.
- 14ct is harder, deeper in colour and costs less: the better choice for a ring worn every day through hands-on work.
- 9ct is the lowest price and the most coppery colour.
Purity moves the price far more than colour does. For our wedding bands, yellow, white and rose gold cost exactly the same at the same purity. With gold prices up sharply, metal-heavy designs like wide bands and bezels cost more than they did, so 14ct is worth a serious look.
Rose gold wedding bands
If you will wear your engagement ring and wedding band together, match the metal. When two rings of different hardness rub, the softer one wears faster where they touch. See women's rose gold wedding rings and men's rose gold wedding bands.
Common questions
Is rose gold real gold?
Yes. 18ct rose gold is 75% pure gold and 14ct is 58.5%. The pink colour comes from copper in the alloy, not from plating.
Does rose gold need re-plating?
No. Rose gold's colour is the metal itself, so there's nothing to wear off. Only white gold is plated. Scratches on rose gold polish out.
Is rose gold more durable than yellow gold?
Yes, at the same purity. Copper is harder than the silver and zinc in most yellow gold alloys, so rose gold resists scratches better. 14ct rose gold is the toughest option in the gold range.
Will a rose gold wedding band match my engagement ring?
If both come from the same jeweller in the same purity, yes. Rose gold alloys vary between makers, so a band from somewhere else may be a slightly different shade. See them together before you buy.
Does rose gold cost more than yellow or white gold?
Not for our wedding bands, where all three gold colours cost the same at the same purity. Purity moves the price far more than colour: 14ct and 9ct cost less than 18ct.
Rose gold is warmer, tougher and lower-maintenance than most people expect. See it in finished designs among our rose gold engagement rings, compare it with yellow gold, or book a free consultation in Melbourne or by video to see the shades in person.