Rose Gold Explained

Rose gold is an alloy made from a combination of pure gold and copper. The blend of the two metals changes the colour of the final product and its karat. For example, the most common alloy of rose gold is 75 percent pure gold to 25 percent copper, which makes 18k rose gold. Changing the percentage of one metal in the alloy will change the karat.

Usually, a direct combination of copper and gold will create a robust reddish colour. Yet a small amount of silver can also be added to create a milder rose—with a little more silver added to create a variant of rose gold called pink gold.

Compared to yellow and white gold, rose gold comes with a few pros and cons. The first pro, of course is the gorgeous colour, which may be the reason for you to choose rose gold jewellery. Also, pure gold is a very soft and scratchable material, and when it’s alloyed, it gains durability to resist damage. Rose gold, thanks to its high copper content, is far more durable than yellow gold.

However, a few things should be kept in mind when you’re purchasing rose gold jewellery. Rose gold may not be hypoallergenic depending on its metal base. If the metal base is copper and you are sensitive to copper, rose gold may not be the right choice for you. If the metal base is solid sterling silver, then you are pretty much safe as sterling silver is hypoallergenic in general. 

The method for cleaning sterling silver jewellery also applies to cleaning rose gold jewellery. You can follow this simple home cleaning method below to clean and care for your rose gold pieces. 

In a separate bowl, microwave one cup of water for 1-2 minutes. In the aluminium foil-lined bowl, combine the warm water, one tablespoon each: salt, baking soda, and dish soap. Soak your rose gold jewellery in the water mixture for 5-10 minutes. Remove and dry thoroughly with a lint-free cloth. 

To view the above method in details, read 'How To Clean Sterling Silver Jewellery At Home'.