The ever-changing nature of jewelry trends is driven by a number of factors. Right now, rose gold is having its moment in the sun after precious white metals were the color of choice for the past few years. Let’s take a look at why that might be.
One significant influence for jewelry designers is overall fashion and design trends. Right now, pastel colors are in vogue, seen everywhere from fashion to home decor, and rose gold is an ideal backdrop for pastel-colored gemstones like mint green garnets, pink kunzite, rose quartz, and baby-blue aquamarines.
Additionally, what’s happening in one place can cause a ripple effect around the world. India is one of the larger gold markets, and rose gold is very popular. As a major gold manufacturer, India produces an abundant supply of rose gold for jewelry manufacturers around the globe.
Here’s some fun trivia about rose gold that you can share at your next cocktail party:
- There is no such thing as naturally occurring rose gold. It’s made by adding copper to molten gold. Jewelry houses, much like medieval alchemists, experiment in search of the perfect combination to make the rosy blush. Their special blends become closely guarded trade secrets.
- An example of how fashion goes in cycles, rose gold was extremely popular during the Victorian era (1830s to 1901); pink was considered the color of romance. Platinum and silver – icy white metals – were in demand in the following Edwardian Era (1901 – 1915), and continued to be popular throughout the Art Deco period (1920 – 1935).
- Rose gold experienced a resurgence in popularity during the Retro period (roughly 1935 – 1950). This was helped in part by the U.S. government declaring platinum a “wartime metal” and in turn, banning the metal from civilian use.
After years of cool, white metals dominating jewelry designs, and the rising availability of alternative white metals such as palladium and titanium, it makes sense that consumers are drawn to rose gold. Warm, beautiful, distinct – this metal du jour is adding more color options to the jewelry landscape.
Now that we’ve got you blushing over rose gold, here are some stunning pieces worth sharing.
18k rose gold cable chain with pave diamonds on six open wave strands with ten alternating open wave polish gold on top of a round White Mother of Pearl. Image courtesy of Frederic Sage.
Feathery clouds swirl across a mid-day sun, or so this Fire Pendant from Frederic Sage seems to us. The diamonds add flecks of light, while the rose gold adds warmth and luminescence.
Trabert & Hoeffier Mauboussin rose brooch. Center stone in brooch is a star ruby. Courtesy of GIA & Tino Hammid.
Big bows, flowers, and of course, rose gold, were favorites during the Retro period. The use of rose gold gives life to this piece.
Classic Stars 18kt rosé gold with 0.60 ct brilliants inside the dome. Image courtesy of Royal Asscher.
This ring looks like a snow globe, and the moving diamonds like falling flakes of snow. This gives the piece an ethereal quality, and the rose gold adds to the magic.
Pink sapphire and diamond 3-stone ring set in 18K rose gold. Image courtesy of Omi Prive.
This three-stone beauty of pink sapphire, diamonds, and rose gold might just be a perfect gift to give on Valentine’s Day.
Rose gold ring in the shape of a butterfly. Image courtesy of MIIORI by JACOB’s Jewelry.
If Mother Nature made jewelry it would look like this MIIORI by JACOB’s Jewelry butterfly ring. It’s light, airy and utterly elegant. Notice too how rose gold softens the look.
