Get ready to shine, because rose gold is a girl’s new best friend! If you’re anything like me, then you’ve been bedazzled by a dazzling display of rose gold jewelry, accessories, and even rose gold metallic handbags! Let’s talk rose gold.

I Joined a Club!

The “Rose Gold Lovers Club,” that is! My first romantic experience with rose gold was with Pura Vida’s Rose Gold Wave Charm Bracelet.

Rose Gold & Fair Skin: A Myth

My skin is quite fair. Even the best spray tanners on the Upper East Side couldn’t get me to look bronzed. I steered away from rose gold when it appeared on the wrist, fingers, ears, and ankles of every girl (and boy!) in New York a few years ago.

The Rose Gold Color Palette

Rose gold varies in its hues. Sometimes, I wonder… is it red, pink, or copper? Not to get too technical, but the various hues of the Rose Gold Color Palette depend on the amount of pure gold and copper is is comprised of. Interesting, but this isn’t a science lesson. I’ll stick with what rose gold is generally regarded as: pink! much pure gold and copper it has.

Just a Trend?

My widely shared enthusiasm for rose gold makes me wonder if this is one that is short-lived. Will the “Rose Gold Craze” become obsolete? A fad?

Perhaps, but what style craze isn’t? Truth is, rose gold has gone through many stages of popularity, but what metal hasn’t? Take a look at yellow gold, which nearly went extinct as little as thirty years ago. The point is that yellow gold bounced back and is currently in high demand. Rather than following trends which inevitably come and go, it’s more important to address your interests and priorities.

The Legacy of Rose Gold

Rose gold is written in the pages of history books.

During the Mid-Victorian period, rings began to shift in style. Victorian engagement rings and wedding rings from this middle era are made from silver and various gold karat alloys (18k, 15k, 14k, 12k, and 9k). Rose gold rings created from gold alloyed with copper also became very popular during this time. 

After World War II started, platinum resources were directed for the War Effort and could no longer be used for jewelry as of 1941. Jewelers then turned to the use of white gold, but the U.S. government further restricted the use of gold in 1943. Retro rings from the 30s are often made with platinum or white gold, while those in the early 40s were mainly made with palladium. Restrictions on the use of gold and platinum were lifted in September, 1944 - and shortly thereafter platinum and white gold replaced palladium again. 

Although the use of white metals was prominent in the U.S., in Europe rose gold was used - when available - for Retro jewelry pieces. Solid rose gold Retro rings are uncommon, but it is possible to find rings that have been decorated with rose gold filigree or inlay on white gold or platinum. Diamonds were the most utilized stones during the Retro period.

Rose gold is a true classic, lasting from generation to generation.