When your partner is getting ready to pop the question or you are in search of that perfect forever piece, people’s first choice is often going to be gold jewellery. This is a fact that should come as no shock to jewellery lovers everywhere as gold is typically voted as the most popular metal among consumers, particularly among those browsing engagement rings or wedding rings. It makes perfectly logical sense why people would prefer gold jewellery over other metals such as platinum and sterling silver jewellery. It is after all the most timeless, not to mention it makes diamond jewellery stand out more and is incredibly durable.
Arguably the biggest drawcard when it comes to gold is the fact that it comes in multiple hues. Whether its radiant yellow gold that draws your eye, elegant white gold or eclectic rose gold, there’s no denying that there’s a gold hue out there to reflect everyone’s style. Typically, yellow gold jewellery is the most popular as it is the oldest and most timeless form of gold, not to mention the most recognisable. However, in recent years many shoppers have been paying attention to white gold jewellery and rose gold. Rose gold jewellery in particular seems to be having a bit of a moment thanks to its uniqueness and romantic pink exterior. So, much so that people are opting to purchase pieces with a playful rose gold setting over a classic yellow gold one. But, what one is the better choice?
Read on as we weigh up the pros and cons of rose gold vs gold jewellery.
Overview:
- Rose Gold vs Gold Jewellery - What's Better?
- Rose Gold Jewellery Pros & Cons
- Yellow Gold Jewellery Pros & Cons
- Rose Gold vs Gold Jewellery - The Verdict
Rose Gold vs Gold Jewellery - What's Better?
The usage of gold in jewellery can be traced back to the days of Ancient Rome when men would give their romantic interests plain gold rings as a way to symbolise betrovement. Since then, gold has become a staple in jewellery with both men and women sporting everything from gold chains to gold engagement rings. But while people typically picture yellow gold when they think of gold jewellery, this metal is so much more diverse than that. This can make the task of shopping for engagement rings or even the perfect pair of earrings for your forever collection that much more difficult, especially when choosing between rose gold and yellow gold jewellery. This is because rose gold and yellow gold are equally as radiant as one another, making it tricky to pick between the two. But much like everything in life, both gold and rose gold jewellery have their fair share of pros and cons that may just dictate what gold type fits in better with your life and style.
Rose Gold Jewellery Pros & Cons
Unlike yellow gold, rose gold is not gold in its finest form. Instead, it is a metal alloy consisting of copper, silver metal alloys and a certain percentage of pure gold. These compositions are then melted together, causing a chemical reaction in which the exterior of the metal begins to turn a beautiful pinkish tinge. Originating in Russia during the 1800s, where it was often used in fine jewellery settings for items such as necklaces and diamond rings, rose gold jewellery is not dissimilar to classic gold in the sense that each piece is labelled either 9-karat gold, 14-carat gold, 18-carat gold, 22-carat gold, 24-carat gold or plated gold depending on the gold purity percentage. While there’s no denying that choosing a romantic rose gold engagement ring or a playful rose gold pendant is sure to pay off in terms of style, durability and lasting impact, that’s not to say that rose gold jewellery settings don’t have their drawbacks.
Rose Gold Jewellery Pros
What draws people to rose gold rings or any rose gold piece for that matter, is its vintage charm and its feminine colour scheme. Reminiscent of rosy blush and blooming flowers, there is just something about rose gold that feels not only very romantic but also incredibly playful, inviting and youthful. This is perhaps why so many young people are drawn to rose gold jewellery nowadays. It is also incredibly complimentary to coloured stones such as morganite, rubies, peach sapphires and pink diamond jewellery. And while some people are turned off by yellow gold because of its radiant hue, rose gold is notorious for suiting both warm and pinkish-to-fair skin tones. On a more technical level, rose gold is often composed of metals such as copper and zinc, which not only make it more affordable but also vastly more durable as the amount of pure gold is less.
9ct Rose Gold Cubic Zirconia And Mother Of Pearl Evil Eye Pendant On Chain
$299.00
9ct Rose Gold Cubic Zirconia And Mother Of Pearl Evil Eye Pendant On Chain… read more
9ct Rose Gold Silverfilled Crystal 3/4th Hoop Earrings
$69.99
9ct Rose Gold Silverfilled Crystal 3/4th Hoop Earrings… read more
Rose Gold Jewellery Cons
Jewellery lovers all over the globe may be falling for this elegant gold hue, however, not everything is rosy when it comes to rose gold (pun indented). Perhaps one of the biggest drawbacks of rose gold jewellery is that it is not hypoallergenic. To gain its shiny pink hue, jewellers must mix pure gold with copper and other silver alloys. This can present a problem for some as copper is a common allergen. While no one is one hundred per cent sure what causes it, medical experts believe it is an immune response that occurs when items such as rose gold bracelets and pendants come into contact with the skin of those who suffer from contact dermatitis. This can result in itchiness, redness, swelling and even irritation that can cause great discomfort. Another reason rose gold may not necessarily be for everyone is that it is not as frequently available as yellow gold and white gold, this can make your options limiting and may make your rose gold pieces difficult to repair and/or replace.
Luminesce Lab Grown 1 Carat Solitaire Engagement Ring in 14ct Rose Gold
$4,199.30
$5,999.00
This ring features a stunning 1-carat Luminesce lab-grown brilliant cut diamond that has been set into luxurious 14-carat rose gold, which compliments the diamond adding warmth and radiance to its already dazzling look. The diamond was cut with expert precision… read more
Yellow Gold Jewellery Pros & Cons
Yellow gold jewellery is potentially the closest thing to gold in its natural form. Synonymous for its shine and radiant colour that will make just any outfit pop, it is not hard to see why everything from gold earrings and chains to gold bangles, bracelets and more are a staple in just about every jewellery lover’s collection. What makes gold so special is its formation, which has somewhat celestial origins. The mineral gold forms within the stars as the result of a supernova, or in layman's terms…an exploding star. The pressure of the star exploding is so intense that it sparks a nuclear fusion that causes neutron stars to collide and form heavy elements form-from there gold is produced. It is believed that gold deposits made their way to our world during the earth’s formation when meteorites containing gold and other metals reached their surface. These origins are perhaps why many people find gold to be so special. However, gold is not dissimilar to other minerals used to make jewellery in the sense that it is far from perfect.
Yellow Gold Jewellery Pros
Gold, namely yellow gold, has long been a go-to for people shopping for jewellery, not only for its timelessness and versatility but also for its durability. Unlike silver jewellery, gold jewellery is relatively resistant to corrosion, discolouring or tarnishing. Gold will not tarnish as it doesn’t combine with oxygen like silver. This means that if you were to wear your gold earrings or necklace in the shower and place it in a moisture-heavy room, there is a chance that it won’t turn a brownish tinge. This is a huge advantage to yellow gold as it means it is easy to maintain and won’t lose its shine or colour. If anything, its colour will only get better over time. This is a huge bonus if it's an item that you wear every day such as a wedding ring. Speaking of colour, the warm rich hue of yellow gold is not only hugely complimentary to many different skin tones and outfit colour schemes, but it will also help the sparkle of your diamond stand out a little more.
9ct Yellow Gold Silverfilled Fancy 19cm Bracelet
$269.00
The 9ct Yellow Gold Silverfilled Fancy 19cm Bracelet is an exquisite piece of jewellery that effortlessly combines elegance with a touch of unique flair. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this bracelet showcases a beautiful fancy link design, adding a… read more
18ct Yellow And White Gold Diamond And Natural Emerald Ring
$5,499.00
18ct Yellow And White Gold Diamond And Natural Emerald Ring… read more
Yellow Gold Jewellery Cons
What will come as a surprise to many gold enthusiasts is that it is extremely rare to come across yellow gold jewellery that is one hundred per cent pure gold. This is because gold is extremely soft and malleable, and therefore is often set with other metal alloys such as copper, zinc, sterling silver and occasionally nickel. Much like rose gold, yellow gold will have a karat rating that is based on the percentage of gold purity. Still, while these metal alloys make yellow gold a lot tougher, certain metal purities are still incredibly soft. 22-karat gold and 24-carat gold in particular can be very soft as they contain 91.67% and 99.9% pure gold respectively. This can make them too delicate for heavy stone-set pieces such as gemstone jewellery, diamond rings and certain styles of diamond earrings. But while the metal alloys in gold help improve the durability of particular pieces, sadly, they are not suitable for everyone. Yellow gold jewellery often contains the metal alloys copper and nickel, two compounds known for causing allergic reactions in people with contact dermatitis. This can limit the options available for those with skin sensitivities, with many having to choose pieces exclusively labelled ‘nickel-free’, ‘copper-free’ or ‘hypoallergenic’.
Luminesce Lab Grown 14ct Yellow Gold 1 Carat Solitaire Engagement Ring
$3,499.30
$4,999.00
Ignite the fire of everlasting love with the Luminesce Lab Grown 14ct Yellow Gold 1 Carat Solitaire Engagement Ring in an oval cut. This exquisite ring is a celebration of timeless beauty and sophistication. The centrepiece of this remarkable piece… read more
Rose Gold vs Gold Jewellery - The Verdict
When weighing up the pros and cons of rose gold vs gold jewellery, it is immediately clear that with many of the same compounds your choice is going to largely come down to style and personal preference. If you are someone who tends to gravitate towards more classic pieces or antique styles, yellow gold is probably going to be the better choice for you. Particularly, if you are someone that has a warmer skin tone. On the contrary, rose gold has a slightly more romantic and contemporary setting that is bound to suit someone that adorns plenty of soft tones and pastel colours. Rose gold is also a favourite among those with pinkish or fairish skin, however, it pretty suits all skin tones.
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