Rose Gold Makes for Elegant Engagement Rings

Whenever the subject of marriage came up, I always told my then-boyfriend (now my fiance, of course) that I didn't really need an engagement ring. That's why I was more than a little surprised, flattered and touched that he gave me a really pretty ring when he proposed. More than just a nice piece of ice, it reminds me up to now of how hard my fiance worked to give me a symbol of all the good things he said I deserved.

I have to admit I don't really know that much about wedding jewelry, so I was excited when Pammy Rosen offered to write about rings for this blog. Here's her take on engagement rings...

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Rose Gold Makes for Elegant Engagement Rings

by Pammy Rosen

Unalloyed gold is yellow in color, and it is also quite soft in texture, which makes it very flexible and versatile in designing jewelry. These characteristics, along with its inherent beauty, explain why gold has been very popular in creating rings and other items for centuries.

Something that may surprise you

Pure gold is really never used in creating jewelry because it fails to hold its shape since it is so malleable. As a result, intricate patterns that are etched on the surface of a ring can be rubbed away easily, and any precious or semi-precious stone that is used in the setting may be lost as well. Obviously, no one wants this to happen because many gemstones are both beautiful and expensive.

How rose gold is made

To remedy the situation and enhance gold’s durability, it is usually combined with one or more other metals used in manufacturing jewelry. When this is done, the specific characteristics of the alloy enhance the color and nature of the gold that is produced. For example, copper, which has a reddish-brown color, significantly adds to the beauty of gold, giving it a unique tint that varies from pink to red. (At times, rose gold is also referred to as “pink gold” or “red gold.”) The pinkish variety has a feminine appearance, which is ideal for making women's gold rings, and the darker tints are now used in making men's jewelry as well.

The amount of copper alloy is the determining factor in creating the various shades of rose gold, and the more copper a piece contains, the darker it will appear to be. This is the reason that 18k (lighter) rose gold consists of 18 karats of pure gold and 6 karats of alloy, and 10K (darker) rose gold consists of 10k of pure gold and 14k of alloy.

Buying matching rings

In addition, if silver or another alloy is included in the mix, the number of possible hues increases. The average customer likes to have a wide range of choices, but matching two different pieces of rose gold jewelry can be difficult when they are purchased in different places at different times. It is an excellent choice when you are looking for a stunning engagement ring, but since tints can vary, it is a good idea to purchase a wedding ring that matches it at the same time and have them designed together.

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There, don't you feel so much smarter? At the very least, you'll have a better idea what to look for in an engagement and/or wedding ring. Thanks Pammy! :)