Learn About Rose Gold

Rose gold is a pink-tinted metal type used to create fine jewellery. Somewhere between a yellow and red tone, rose gold is an enchanting, pinkish sunset hue, regarded for its warmth and unique appeal. Rose gold metal is created by adding copper to gold, with a touch of silver to desaturate and balance the severity of the colour. The resulting rosy colour is what gives rose gold its alternative name, ‘pink gold’.

Rose gold metal can consist of differing quantities of gold, copper and silver. Most commonly, engagement rings and fine jewellery will be created with 18K or 14K rose gold.

Rose gold metal is a relatively modern metal alloy compared to both yellow gold and platinum. Rose gold was first created and used for fine jewellery in the mid to late 19th Century in Russia. Used within Carl Faberge’s famous, ornate Faberge Eggs, rose gold became known as 'Russian gold'. Since then, rose gold has gradually risen in popularity, but remains the lesser-chosen metal for today’s engagement rings.

Modern in contrast to yellow gold and platinum, which were commonly used for jewellery creation in antiquity, rose gold is a great choice for contemporary engagement ring designs, or to give an otherwise traditional ring a modern flair.

Rose gold was once the go-to choice for those after a warm, romantic alternative to classic metals, but recent trends show its popularity has declined. At Queensmith, fewer than 1% of engagement rings in 2025 were made in rose gold, down from 4% in 2022 and 2023. Yellow gold has since taken the lead as the warm-toned metal of choice.

However, the soft pink hue of rose gold engagement rings still holds emotional and aesthetic value for some, symbolising love and individuality without feeling overly traditional. It complements a wide range of skin tones and can be a bold, personal choice for those after something a little different.

Rose gold also pairs well with other metals, making it a strong option for two-tone or tri-colour designs. And beyond jewellery, its influence remains visible in fashion, interior design and tech – from watches and phones to home décor.

While not a leading trend for engagement rings in 2025, rose gold still has its place in bespoke design. For clients drawn to its warmth, we often suggest pairing it with complementary gemstones like morganite, champagne diamonds or richly coloured sapphires for a unique, personal look.

18K rose gold is composed of 75% pure gold, 20% copper and 5% silver. Copper gives the otherwise yellow gold its pink tone, which the silver dilutes the intensity of a little, whilst also strengthening the rose gold alloy. There is no such thing as pure rose gold, and the only gold colour found naturally is yellow.

The terms ‘18K’ and ‘14K’ refer to the purity of the gold within a gold-based alloy, in this case, rose gold. 24K is the purest form of gold, which is deemed too garish in colour and too soft in durability for fine jewellery. The metals copper and silver are added to pure gold to create rose gold. In the right quantities, this will make the rose gold perfectly toned and adequately durable for everyday wear.

14K rose gold contains 58% pure gold. With a greater ratio of copper and silver to gold, 14K rose gold has a paler, brighter pink colour, and is a little more resistant to scratching. 18K rose gold contains 75% pure gold, so it has a richer pinky-gold tone and is a little softer than 14K rose gold. The difference in durability between 18K and 14K rose gold metal is minimal, but you may notice a difference in the richness of colour. 18K tends to be the preferred colour intensity for rose gold rings.

The Queensmith standard is 18K rose gold; however, we can create 14K rose gold rings on request. Get in touch to learn more.

Here is a rose gold composition table for your reference. Rose gold is technically the same material regardless of the karat, but the formula changes drastically.

The metal work for a rose gold ring starts at around £995 for a simple solitaire ring design. With the addition of a 0.30ct, quality natural diamond, you’ll find a well-made rose gold ring starts from around £1,700. The cost of your rose gold ring will depend on the design, and therefore the metal and workshop hours needed to craft it, and more prominently, on the size and number of diamonds or precious gemstones used.

Until recently, rose gold rings have retailed at a lower cost than platinum, but now you’ll find that rose gold and platinum rings cost a similar price.

Yes, rose gold is real gold, but it is not a naturally occurring gold like yellow gold is. Rose gold metal is an alloy that consists of pure gold, copper and silver. Unlike pure gold, rose gold is not naturally occurring, nor is there such a thing as pure rose gold metal. Rose gold is, however, created by combining the perfect proportions of other natural metals to create an aesthetically alluring and durable metal.

The value of rose gold depends primarily on its gold content rather than its colour.

Rose gold is an alloy, a mix of gold and copper (and sometimes silver), which makes it stronger. Since copper is less expensive than gold, rose gold of the same karat (like 18K) typically costs the same or slightly less than yellow or white gold. However, craftsmanship, brand reputation and design intricacy can affect the final price.

Contrary to what many believe, rose gold is arguably the most durable of all gold colours for everyday wear, including engagement rings. The reason? Copper is incredibly hard. The addition of copper makes the resulting rose gold alloy far more resistant to scratches and dents than the pure, malleable gold it contains. The 14K rose gold alloy, which has a higher proportion of strengthening agents, is exceptionally hard.

One of the best qualities of rose gold is that it does not fade or tarnish. Unlike white gold, which is rhodium-plated and may lose its finish over time, rose gold’s colour comes from the metal mixture itself.

However, over many years, the copper component may deepen slightly in colour, giving your jewellery a warmer, vintage patina. This natural change adds to its charm and character rather than detracting from it.

Regular gentle cleaning and proper storage can help maintain its original lustre. Read our guide on how to clean your engagement ring.

Rose gold will make a modern engagement ring look sleek and contemporary. Although rose gold is a modern metal, that doesn’t mean it should be restricted to modern engagement ring designs only; rose gold can give an otherwise traditional ring an unusual and contemporary twist.

The rosy tone of rose gold can provide certain ring designs a feminine quality, the shade adding an ethereal quality to such designs as cluster halo and diamond shoulder rings. The simpler the design, the more contemporary and bold the rose gold metal will appear.

View the pros and cons of rose gold in the table below.

Rose gold strikes the perfect balance between trend and timelessness. You can see the trendy look of rose gold in engagement rings, tech accessories, and luxury design.

Yet it is also classic, which dates back over a century, and its romantic tone ensures it never truly goes out of style.

Rose gold works beautifully with nearly all diamonds and many coloured gemstones, creating either a modern contrast or a romantic harmony.

When paired with diamonds, rose gold creates a bright contrast that enhances the diamond's fire. This is true for both natural and lab grown diamonds, which possess the exact same brilliance and visual properties as natural diamonds. The affordability of lab diamonds makes them the perfect choice for budget-conscious buyers looking to maximise both carat weight and quality.

Pair rose gold with a sapphire for a soft and harmonious look – the rose gold deepens the gemstone's colour, which makes it perfect for vintage-inspired ring designs. Rose gold with emerald also strikes a bold contrast as the pink and green pop dramatically for an eye-catching look.

At Queensmith, we offer a range of high-quality 18K rose gold engagement rings with a complimentary lifetime warranty. There is a selection of styles and settings for you to explore – from a halo rose gold ring to a solitaire rose gold ring. If you'd like something completely unique, book an appointment with our experts to begin your bespoke engagement ring journey.