For centuries, it was gold versus silver. Those were the two main competitors in jewelry. Sure, there was platinum and white gold, but to the untrained eye they could be lumped in with silver. And when it comes to engagement or wedding rings, only gold was permitted, so the battle became yellow versus white gold.
And then something new entered the ring. No one could really say when, but in the last decade or so it has really taken off in popularity: the rose gold.
Suddenly this pinkish hue of metal was all over every imaginable piece of jewelry. It was on necklaces, rings, earrings and more and has become the fashionable option amongst the metals. Its main selling point was that it offered something different: not yellow, nor white, but definitely gold. And if it’s gold, it can be an engagement ring, can’t it? We’re looking at the rise of rose gold engagement rings and how you can make yours stand out.
A more romantic option
That could come down to a lot of factors, but we think a contributing factor is the resulting pink color of the metal. If you’re someone who loves copper but doesn’t want their finger to turn blue with the oxidation, you’ll love rose gold.
Even the name gives off romance, which is why it’s perfectly suited to an engagement ring. The different metal options, and the stone, of an engagement ring have different meanings. Typically, an engagement ring has a diamond due to its beauty and durability, which makes for a beautiful and strong marriage. It’s a symbol of commitment and financial stability. Yellow gold nowadays represents tradition on top of the meanings of commitment with such an expensive gift, as it is. On the other hand, white gold is a more modern look to go with and is very versatile in that you can mix it with other white metals like silver and platinum for a unique piece. Platinum is naturally white and has excellent durability, pairing it well with diamonds, which are supposed to be as colorless and strong as possible.
And rose gold. Well, as the name and color would suggest, the meaning in this metal is romance. It would mean a marriage full of passion. Its romantic color symbolizes love, warmth and affection. Couples are drawn to the emotional connection conveyed by the choice of this unique metal for their engagement rings. If you’re looking for unique rose gold engagement rings, take a look at the Best Brilliance website for some great ideas.
A more trendy take
Rose gold sits in a happy medium space of being different, but not too different. Like we said, it’s gold, but it’s rose gold. It doesn’t have the traditional baggage that comes with yellow gold if you’re someone who looks at gold and thinks “dated”, but it doesn’t have the cold white feel of the platinum or white gold options.
It’s a relatively new metal, gaining popularity in the Victorian era when gold was first combined with copper to create this distinctive pink hue. It gained more popularity due to influence from Carl Faberge (yes, the Faberge egg Carl Faberge), and later the Art Deco movement, and then dropped in popularity in the latter half of the 20th century.
That was until an interesting resurgence in the early 21st century when the two standards were considered classics, but it would be interesting to see something “new”. Since then, social media campaigns and modern influencers of the Kim K variety rather than the Faberge variety have helped make rose gold a contender for engagement ring options.
A more versatile style choice
There is all this plus the fact that rose gold is a very versatile choice. One of the remarkable features of rose gold is its ability to complement a wide range of skin tones. Its warm hue means that it will flatter both warm and cool skin undertones. The warm tones of the copper in the alloy resonate with warm undertones, while the overall rosy hue adds a delicate contrast that complements cooler undertones, so it suits everyone.
The nature of rose gold being a mix of two, sometimes three if you add silver, metals mean it’s also very adaptable. It offers a great canvas for customization, including a range of finishes like matt, brushed or polished – or even a combination in the one ring.
The malleability of rose gold makes it an ideal metal for intricate detailing. Jewelers can create elaborate patterns, engravings, or filigree designs, adding a level of craftsmanship and artistry to the piece. It means you can add an inscription on the band if you like the idea of a memento.
Additionally, as a canvas for a gemstone, rose gold is very versatile so you don’t have to stick to a diamond if you don’t want to. A diamond is the traditional move, but there are a growing number of people who are exploring different gemstones as their main engagement ring stone. The warm tones of rose gold can enhance the color of gemstones, while also offering a unique setting for diamonds.
