Does Rose Gold Tarnish: The Ultimate Guide to Rose Gold Jewelry
November 17th, 2023 / Hetal M
An engagement ring is something to have forever. In addition to being a symbol of love and commitment, it is also extremely valuable. No one wants to invest in jewelry, especially an engagement ring, that won’t stand the test of time. A well-crafted rose gold engagement ring should be built to last, able to be passed on from generation to generation. If you are worried about rose gold tarnish and if your jewelry will fade or lose its color over time, this is the right article for you.
With every valuable piece of jewelry though, upkeep is required. However, you can minimize the amount of upkeep, such as cleaning, polishing, and re-dipping that your jewelry needs by selecting materials that won’t tarnish, fade, scratch, or dent easily. However, it’s also important that you learn how to clean rose gold to keep it in good condition.
If you have your eye on rose gold engagement rings or rose gold jewelry, you may be wondering, “Does rose gold fade?” or “Will rose gold tarnish?” These are valid questions, and important ones to consider before investing in rose gold jewelry. We will answer these questions, and many more, below to help you better understand this precious metal and decide if it is right for you.
What Is Rose Gold?
When you first understand what rose gold is and how is rose gold made, you will better understand why it acts the way it does. So, let’s begin with a bit of background information on how rose gold is made.
Rose gold is a precious metal made primarily from pure gold. Pure gold is combined with other metals to make it stronger, more durable, and change its color. These additions are called metal alloys because they are added to gold. For rose gold, in particular, pure gold is mixed with copper metal alloys and silver metal alloys. This combination is what gives rose gold its rosy color.
This rosy color has made rose gold extremely popular in recent years. It is unique, fashionable, feminine, and looks beautiful on a variety of skin tones. Today, you can find every type of rose gold jewelry, from necklaces to earrings to rose gold wedding rings. In addition to every jewelry type, you can find rose gold in every jewelry style as well. Whether you’re looking for a trendy bracelet or a timeless engagement ring, you can find it in rose gold.
FAQs About Real Rose Gold
Although rose gold doesn’t occur naturally in the earth as yellow gold does, it is created with pure metals and is just as precious. Learn more about this precious metal and why it makes for a beautiful and heirloom-quality engagement ring.
Does Rose Gold Tarnish?
Tarnish refers to when metal reacts with the chemicals in the air and begins to change in color and eventually rust. Tarnish gives jewelry a poor, dirty appearance and leaves an unattractive film on the surface of the jewelry that can rub off on your skin.
Typically, tarnish is only a problem for jewelry of poor quality. Rose gold made from pure gold and copper and silver metal alloys does not tarnish. So, you don’t have to worry about your rose gold engagement ring reacting with chemicals in the air and becoming tarnished or rusted.
Does Rose Gold Change Color Over Time?
Although rose gold doesn’t tarnish, it can change color over time. However, the change is gradual and moderate. The change you might see in rose gold is that it becomes darker or slightly redder in color after many years. It may take even a lifetime for the color change to occur.
This is because the copper in rose gold slowly oxidizes and develops a rich patina. This patina, which is most evident on antique rings because it takes so long to develop, is actually quite desirable. It can give rose gold jewelry a vintage appearance that many find adds both value and uniqueness to the jewelry.
Does Rose Gold Fade Quickly?
Real rose gold jewelry, which is made of pure gold and metal alloys does not fade. While white gold, which is coated in rhodium to give it a whiter, shinier coating, requires re-coating every few years, rose gold does not require any additional coating to remain lustrous. With easy regular polishing and cleaning, it will remain as beautiful as the day you bought it.
Is Rose Gold Durable?
As we mentioned above, rose gold is made of part pure gold, part copper metal alloy, and part silver metal alloy. These metal alloys add strength and durability to the pure gold component, making it much more durable. The copper component in rose gold, in particular, makes it even more durable because copper is one of the most durable metals.
If you are concerned with durability given your lifestyle or the style of engagement ring you select, you should learn about the differences between 14K rose gold vs 18k rose gold. 14K rose gold is stronger than 18K rose gold because it contains more metal alloys than it does pure gold, which means it is more durable. 14K rose gold is also less expensive than 18K rose gold because it is made of less pure gold. But don’t let the price fool you. Although the value may be less, the durability is greater.
FAQs About Rose Gold Plating
While solid rose gold jewelry is high quality, durable, and hardly requires maintenance, rose gold plated jewelry offers a similar look for a much lower cost. Rose gold plated jewelry, however, should only be considered for seasonal jewelry, not for an engagement ring or any heirloom jewelry you want to last for years to come.
What is Rose Gold Plating?
When jewelry is plated with rose gold, it isn’t made from pure gold, copper, and silver. Instead, the base jewelry is usually less valuable such as sterling silver, copper, brass, or bronze. The base metal is dipped in a mixture of gold and copper that gives it the appearance of real rose gold.
How Long Does Rose Gold Plating Last?
Typically, gold plating lasts two to three years before needing to be replaced. Rose gold plating, however, doesn’t last quite as long as gold plating or rhodium white plating does. Unfortunately, not only does it not last as long, but also, it also begins to wear away unevenly, giving the jewelry a spotted appearance. This is because copper reacts with chemicals in the air, water, and even beauty products, which causes it to erode or change color. You have probably noticed this effect on copper dishware or other surfaces.
How Do You Keep Rose Gold Plating from Tarnishing?
Although rose gold plating won’t last more than a few years, there are things you can do to maintain its quality and lustrous appearance for as long as possible.
- Avoid wearing the rose gold plated jewelry in swimming pools and the ocean. Both chlorine and salt water will wear down the rose gold plating extremely quickly.
- Remove your jewelry often and wipe it down. The sweat and oils that your skin produces can react with the chemicals in rose gold plating and cause it to wear away.
- Take the jewelry off when you sleep and when you work at the very least, and always put it on after you have already applied perfume, lotion, or creams. Gently wipe down the jewelry after you remove it to rid it of any residue that could cause it to tarnish.
Rose Gold Engagement Rings Made to Last
Rose gold is a beautiful, high quality metal that will make for heirloom-quality engagement rings for women and men. You don’t have to worry about it tarnishing or fading. While you may notice a slight darkening in color as time goes on, this natural change can make your rose gold engagement ring even more valuable. As long as you love it, you have nothing to worry about.
Unlike rose gold, rose gold plating is not a precious metal, and thus isn’t of heirloom quality. As we mentioned above, rose gold plating should be avoided for any fine jewelry, including engagement rings and wedding bands.
All of our rose gold engagement rings are made with real rose gold that will remain lustrous and beautiful for years to come. Browse our selection of stunning styles to find the ring that you will love forever.
*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulate that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.