What Is Rose Gold?

Rose gold is a gold alloy that has a warm, pinkish hue and is made from mixing pure yellow gold, copper and sometimes a small amount of silver. The silver may be mixed in to lighten the tone and increase the durability of the alloy.

The shade of pink or even red depends on the amount of copper content in the alloy. A deeper reddish-pink color like 9k rose gold requires more copper. A more pinkish hue like 18k rose gold means there is less copper in the mix. Copper is a durable metal, so rose gold tends to be harder and more resistant to scratching than higher-karat yellow or white gold, so it's a good choice for an engagement ring setting. 

There are three main color variations for rose gold: 9k rose gold, 14k rose gold, and 18k rose gold. The primary difference among the three is the ratio of pure gold versus other metals. For example, when considering 14k vs 18k gold, 14k gold has less yellow gold content than 18k gold. This difference impacts the color, durability, and price of the three different rose gold alloys. 

What Is 9k Rose Gold?

9k rose gold is 37.5% pure gold and 60% or more copper. It may not have any silver at all. The lower yellow gold content and higher copper content means that it will be paler than 14k rose gold or 18k rose gold. It is not very common among the traditional jewelry retailers due to this dull color.

What Is 14k Rose Gold?

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14k rose gold is 58.3% pure gold, 40% or more copper, and 1-2% silver. It has more vibrance than 9k rose gold, but less vibrance than 18k rose gold. 14k rose gold is popular in jewelry, and it is less expensive than 18k rose gold. 

What Is 18k Rose Gold?

18k rose gold is 75% pure gold, 22-25% copper, and 2-3% silver. Of the three rose gold alloys, it has the richest color and may appear with a deeper hue due to the lower copper content.

Rose gold has seen a resurgence in popularity in everything from jewelry to handbags to interior design. It has a unique, romantic color that stands out compared to more traditional yellow or white gold options.