What is
Rose gold is an alloy based on a yellow precious metal and an alloy containing copper and silver. The saturation of the shade depends on the percentage of copper.
Composition and properties
The additives included in the alloy are the same for all samples used by jewelry makers. To give it the desired shade, in addition to aurum, silver and copper are used. Only their percentage changes depending on the sample:
- 375 – 37.5% aurum, 37.5% Cu, 25.0% silver;
- 585 – 58.5% Au, 32.5% copper, 9.0% silver;
- 750 – 75.0% aurum, 15.0% copper, 10.0% Ag.
The pink alloy has many of the same features, characteristics, and properties as the yellow precious metal, but there are some differences. First of all, it is high plasticity. Thanks to it, jewelers can create openwork jewelry with complex patterns. The metal is easily processed into the desired shape.
Strength
High ductility indicators of a precious metal of an unusual shade are achieved at the expense of strength. Because of this, the structure is quite easy to break or scratch. This is especially true for low grades, in particular 375. Most often, a break is a consequence of the fact that the bracelet or ring hit something. Please take this into account when purchasing.
Shade range
The main component of the pink metal alloy is copper. Its quantity in comparison with the content of pure precious metal determines the saturation and intensity of the shade. As a result of its increase or decrease, a color can be obtained from soft pink to almost red, and at times even orange.
Samples
The metal of unusual color is presented in three samples: 375, 585, 750.
The lowest standard is used by jewelers to make inexpensive jewelry: medallions, brooches, crosses. The color of the products differs in shades of red. A high ligature content causes a reduction in price, but negatively affects the physical properties of the gizmos. Under mechanical influence, products easily break, scratch, or bend.
Jewelry of 585 standard is most valued on the jewelry market, as it combines a low price (compared to similar classic models) with satisfactory strength indicators. In terms of its properties, this alloy is not inferior to the usual yellow one.
With an increase in the content of pure aurum (750 sample), the products acquire a peach tint. Gold can change the saturation and intensity of the main color depending on the amount of copper in the composition. However, regardless of this, the price of jewelry of 750 standard is significantly higher than that of similar 585. In this regard, jewelers prefer to use the alloy for the manufacture of complex designs with openwork patterns, as well as wedding rings.
What is the difference between rose and regular gold?
This type of alloy differs from other types of gold by a certain percentage of copper in its alloy. Copper, which itself has a characteristic red color, gives gold a pinkish tint. A high proportion of copper impurities in pure gold will give the jewelry an intense shine and a deep pink tint, even slightly reddish, but the less copper is in the alloy, the less pronounced the shimmer will be.
The yellow gold we are used to will differ from the “pink” alloy in its characteristics. This is due to the difference in the content of silver and copper in the alloys. Red gold contains more than 50% copper impurities; a noble iridescent pinkish tint is given to products by increasing the mass of silver in the alloy, and so on, depending on what color the precious metal should ultimately acquire.
Advantages and disadvantages
Expert opinion
Vsevolod Kozlovsky
6 years in jewelry making. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds
The main advantage of this alloy is its high ductility. Thanks to this, complex openwork products are created from it, which immediately attract attention. Buyers are also attracted by the lower price compared to classic gold. Another feature of the alloy is its unusual range of shades.
However, such things are of little use for daily wear. This is due to the low strength of the metal. This is especially true for low quality products.
Which gold is better - pink, yellow or white?
All 3 options are similar in physical and chemical characteristics. Because of this, the final choice of metal depends mainly on 2 factors: the financial capabilities of the buyer and personal view of beauty.
If a few years ago preference was given to yellow gold, today the situation has changed. Jewelry in white and pink shades is increasingly being chosen as a gift. Also in demand are rings that combine all three metals. Such models are distinguished by their sophistication and unusual design.
Which gold has a pink tint?
An unusual shimmer is achieved by adding silver and copper to the gold composition. Due to the fact that the concentration of copper impurities is much higher than silver, pink gold is formed. The color saturation is regulated by the volume of the added copper component. The more it is, the more reddish the color it turns out.
Rose gold of extraordinary beauty and luxury items with it look feminine, romantic, and are equally suitable for beautiful ladies of any age. Precious stones framed with this gold acquire a deep, rich color. Pink metal makes diamonds cleaner, visually enhancing their shine.
Where can you buy or sell
You can purchase unusual rose gold jewelry at a jewelry store. Under no circumstances should you buy them second-hand: there is a high probability of getting a fake.
Old or disliked jewelry can also later be returned to a jewelry store or exchanged there for a new model. If the jewelry has significant defects (broken chain, broken lock, etc.), you may be sent to a pawnshop. In this case, gold will most likely be purchased at scrap price.
Next, look at what other shades gold comes in:
Why is rose gold cheaper?
The low price of the alloy is influenced by its alloy. There is a small amount of silver here, the proportion of copper is much larger. It does not belong to precious metals, its cost is significantly less. For gold of other colors (yellow, white), the main component of the alloy is silver or palladium, which are much more expensive. As a result, two products with the same weight and markings will have different prices.
How much is 1 gram of rose gold worth today?
The cost of such jewelry depends on the standard of metal, decoration, weight of gold, presence and size of inserts. The price of precious metals can also affect the price.
Price 999 standard according to the Central Bank | Market value of the sample today | Scrap price | Price in jewelry |
Pink alloy price
The cost of products depends on the amount of precious element and additives in the manufacturing material. The price per gram of rose gold is 2 times lower than yellow gold. The cost of white gold, which contains palladium or platinum, is even higher.
The price of products made from 750-grade alloy is much higher than those made from 585-grade alloy. Material with a higher gold content looks much more beautiful. But how much a product costs depends not only on the amount of precious metal in its composition; the cost is also influenced by artistic execution. Well-designed jewelry with intricate patterns and curved elements can cost more than yellow and white alloy pieces. Their value is increased by the painstaking work of the jeweler who made the openwork chain or bracelet. Precious stones also increase the cost of jewelry.
Often, pink metal products are coated with alloys of other shades, such as white or yellow, which makes them extremely attractive. The strength and beauty of the material allows craftsmen to create magnificent products, experiment with color, and complement them with filigree techniques. The jewelry they created can rightfully be considered family treasures.
Rose gold is a modern, sought-after material that is widely used in the collections of famous designers. It is used to make elegant jewelry that is suitable for both young girls and older women. Products made from pink alloy, with proper care, retain their original appearance for a long time.
Recommendations for care, cleaning and storage
In many ways, the rules for caring for and wearing pink jewelry are similar to those for their yellow counterparts. However, there are also nuances. First of all, such jewelry should not be exposed to reactions with mercury and strong acids. In this regard, it is recommended to limit the contact of jewelry with household chemicals.
The ligature does not protect the alloy from mechanical stress. When wearing, you must be careful not to hit the metal or scratch it. If there is a strong external load, the product can also be dented, as a result of which it will also lose its attractiveness.
It is recommended to use a soap solution to clean the surface. The water should be warm. Under no circumstances should pink alloys be boiled. Heavy stains can be removed with a cloth or a brush with soft bristles.
Popular type of rose gold
Between the four samples of the pink alloy of the precious metal, 585 sample has become popular on the sales market. 585 rose gold is represented by the following jewelry: rings, wedding rings are now in demand, earrings, medallions and chains. Sample 585 was widely popular among residents of the USSR. 2006 was marked by a surge in demand for this type of jewelry.
It is worth paying attention to the fact that the higher the copper content in the rose gold alloy, the lower the hardness threshold of the product. Therefore, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Avoid contact of the product with aggressive chemicals (for example, acids, mercury);
- Do not expose the product to physical influences: shock, pressure, compression, scratching.
You may be interested in: Price of a kilogram of gold in rubles and dollars
To clean jewelry at home, you should use a warm soapy solution, apply it to the surface of the jewelry with a soft brush, then remove the remaining solution and let it dry.
The demand for pink jewelry is growing exponentially every year. Newly-made young couples in love are actively enrolling in the ranks of admirers.
Rose gold is a textured representative of the jewelry world. Can be one player on the field, or maybe play in an ensemble with the usual yellow gold. Jewelry houses are fighting for the uniqueness of alloy designs. The collections of leading jewelers are finding new originality in compositions with rose gold.
What types of pink alloy jewelry are there?
With the increasing popularity of rose gold, the variety of jewelry available for sale is increasing. If desired, you can collect a complete set of jewelry in one style - ring, pendant, bracelet, earrings.
Gemstones look quite unusual with pink alloys, regardless of their shape and number of carats. Gold goes well with any insert, but jewelers especially highlight pastel-colored stones. Diamond engagement rings are in great demand.
Rose metal jewelry
Jewelry craftsmen value rose gold for its ease of processing and elasticity; increased ductility is one of the characteristic properties of this alloy. Products made of gold in pink color turn out to be interesting and non-standard; their fantasy design and sophisticated curves are favorably emphasized by gentle tints, which makes rings and earrings even more attractive. This type of product is characterized by the application of drawings and patterns, inserts of precious stones or crystals. Due to the high ductility of the precious metal alloy, rose gold products are distinguished by elegance and emphasized accuracy.
Tips for choosing
Before you buy the rose gold jewelry you like, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with a few simple recommendations:
Expert opinion
Vsevolod Kozlovsky
6 years in jewelry making. Knows everything about samples and can identify a fake in 12 seconds
Be sure to look at the stamp - the higher the sample number, the more pure Au the product contains.
For everyday wear, 585-carat jewelry is recommended, which combines low price and sufficient strength, and for special occasions you can buy a set with a higher aurum content.
Rose gold has many shades, so when purchasing, you should try on several different products to choose the most suitable color scheme.
Alloy and sample
Most often, rose gold is 375, 585 or 750. Since such an alloy existed during the times of the USSR, you can also find 583. The most popular of them, as in the case of other shades of this precious metal, is 585, in the carat system - 14 carats. The products have a rich color. When cared for, such gold does not tarnish, and its characteristics are in no way inferior to standard gold: it has high wear resistance and strength.
750 standard is used to make luxury jewelry. Due to the high content of this metal, such products are especially expensive. In addition, they do not have a rich shade; rather, their color can be described as yellowish-pink.
Products of 375 standard are in the lowest demand on the jewelry market. They have the lowest price, but low quality, and due to low demand, a meager selection. Over time, they fade and lose their attractiveness.
The pink alloy of any standard includes copper and silver. Today, three main types of alloy are used, with different shades. In standard samples, the proportions of the three metals are as follows:
Try | Gold | Copper | Silver |
375 | 0.375 | 0.375 | 0.25 |
585 | 0.585 | 0.325 | 0.09 |
750 | 0.75 | 0.15 | 0.1 |
Reviews
Anna: “For my birthday, the guy gave me a set of pendant, earrings and ring. All in rose gold. Looks great. At the same time rich, tender, and elegant. I wear it with an evening dress and feel like a princess.”
Katerina: “I really liked my friend’s rose gold ring, I wanted the same one for myself. But I was stupid - I bought the cheapest one, 375 samples. As a result, after just six months there are a lot of scratches and several chips.”
Galina: “In practice, in Moscow, I bought a small pendant as a gift for my sister. She is still delighted and almost never parted with the gift. What’s especially pleasing is that the color of the surface does not fade at all.”
Rose Gold
The pink substance used to make jewelry is the result of a chemical reaction between pure gold, copper and silver, with the latter occupying no more than 1/5 of the total volume. In order to obtain working material with the most delicate shade of pink, jewelers use exactly 750 grade raw materials as a base.
Arguing about why pink precious metal is better than standard yellow, I would like to say the following: it looks much more extravagant and beautiful, has a more reasonable price, and precious stones encased in rose gold acquire a special purity, transparency and depth of their natural colors.
Since 2006, this substance has not lost its popularity. It is considered the ideal metal for those who love light and effortless jewelry, and designers around the world have successfully used rose gold to create mind-blowing accessories.
White gold
The white tint of this metal is provided by the presence of platinum, silver, palladium or nickel. Moreover, if there is more silver in the alloy, then the final product will turn out white and noticeably matte. Typically, the main substance for the manufacture of this type of precious metal is 585 grade gold, and it itself is used to make jewelry with black pearls and diamonds. An interesting fact is that previously they tried to replace white gold with platinum or silver, but the first is an expensive and refractory material, while the second oxidizes very quickly and loses its marketable appearance.
Since 1920, three methods of producing white gold have been practiced around the world, the most popular of which involves the use of nickel as an additional alloying substance. And for good reason, because it is this that makes the final product affordable and very similar to a platinum product. But all this is possible only when interacting with high-grade brands of raw materials.
Since, in the current environmental crisis, almost every 8th person on our planet is allergic to nickel, since 2000, according to the EU regulation, white gold must be made exclusively with the addition of palladium. Therefore, when deciding whether to buy a pink or white gold ring for your other half, make sure of the quality of the metal.
It is worth noting that today the jewelry industry uses not only red or yellow gold, but also blue, green and even gray gold. So, for example, when mixing three parts gold and one part steel, a blue precious metal appears, which can be seen in the photo, but green is the result of the interaction of cadmium, silver, copper and pure gold. Depending on how much the steel is enlarged, you can get a gray or even black precious substance. At the moment, metals of this color are used only in the form of separate inserts decorating the main piece of jewelry, which is explained by their low strength and fragility. Having studied everything said above, you can decide for yourself which piece of jewelry will be your first or next purchase. It turns out that for the role of a family heirloom it is better to choose a traditional or red precious metal, while all other varieties are just a tribute to fashion and fetish.