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In the face of the immensely famous rose gold, have you ever had the following questions?
“Although I like it, but I don’t know if it suits me or not”
“I heard that it is easy to change colour, is it true?”
“Is it easy to cause allergies?”
“Why is there pink metal?”
“Pink Gold” (Pink Gold) is very common among young women due to its sweet colour.
Rose gold was not popular in the past, but since a few years ago, major jewellery brands such as Tiffany, Piaget, Cartier and so on have introduced different designs of rose gold items. As a result, in addition to wearing it as an everyday ornament, more and more people select rose gold as their wedding ring and engagement ring.
This time, we’re going to describe the metal rose gold in depth and answer all your questions in one fell swoop. If you want to have a detailed understanding of rose gold, don’t miss out on this exciting material! Or you hesitate to pick a pink gold wedding ring or an engagement ring. Please refer to the contents of this period.
What kind of metal is rose gold?
Have you ever wondered if the gold rose is gold? Why is that pink? The pink of pink gold is simply the colour of copper. While “rose gold” is gold, it is not “pure gold.” The so-called “Colour Gold” is an “alloy” created by mixing “pure gold” with other metals” which is a kind of “Colour Gold” Metals combined with gold are known as mixed metals” What kind of metal is combined with gold and what’s the fineness of the metal? These variables are going to cause colour changes.
Rose gold is rendered by adding “copper” “silver” and “palladium” to pure gold, with the highest content being “copper” Approximately 7 copper: silver 2: palladium 1 ratio applied.
In other words, the pink colour of pink gold comes from the highest proportion of “copper.”
And by modifying the metals added to the mixture, such as adding only copper and silver, or changing the ratio of silver to palladium, the colour may have slight changes such as “dark pink” and “light pink”
The durability of rose gold: Its actually very durable
Copper, silver, and palladium used as mixed metals have different toughness, i.e. hardness when avoiding harm such as deformation and scratches. The order of hardness of these three metals is copper>palladium>silver, and “copper” is the highest hardness metal. Rose gold has a high proportion of “copper” so it has the highest longevity between Colour Gold and can withstand damage caused by deformation and scratches.
▼ The hardness of gold (converted to Vickers hardness HV)
• Pure Gold … 22
• Pink Gold… 150
• Red Gold … 150
• Yellow Gold … 120
• Green Gold … 40
• White Gold … 125
The purity is different, the additional ratio is also different.
Gold has K22 (22K gold), K20 (20K gold), K18 (18K gold), K14 (14K gold) and other variations in purity. Rose gold is no exception, of course. They are all made by changing the quantity of mixed metals applied to pure gold. The following sets out the general addition ratio of rose gold to each purity.
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Palladium | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| K22 | 91.7% | 1.7% | 5.8% | 0.8% |
| K20 | 83.5% | 3.3% | 11.6% | 1.6% |
| K18 | 75% | 5% | 18% | 2% |
| K14 | 58.5% | 8.3% | 29% | 4.2% |
Silver 2: Copper 7: Palladium 1: Ratio
By the way, the higher the purity of gold, the lighter the pink colour; the lower the purity, the darker the pink colour.
Is it true that “rose gold matches the skin tone of Japanese people”? The answer is in the “personal genetic colour”
First let’s talk about the real situation of wearing jewellery in rose gold.
People have always said that rose gold suits the skin colour of Japanese and other yellow individuals with a soft pink hue. Rose gold is bound to match many Japanese skin tones, since yellow and pink are very compatible.
While they are all Japanese, the colour of the skin still varies from individual to individual, right?
Although rose gold suits Japanese people’s skin tone, it is just “fitting better than people from other countries.” Some people look good in rose gold while some people look very uncoordinated, the same Japanese. You must start with “personal genetic colour.” to understand the contrast between your skin colour and rose gold.
The answer is hidden in the so-called “personal genetic colour”.
Personal Colour refers to the colour that correlates very harmoniously to the colour of one’s face, eyes and hair, and can highlight one’s own charm or character. That is, “colours that suit you.” A key aspect of fashion makeup is jewellery. No matter how stunning the jewellery is it won’t look so dazzling if it’s not the colour that suits you.’ But if you pick the right colour that suits you, when wearing stunning jewellery, you will be even more exceptional and become a right-hand man.
「Spring」、「Summer」、「Autumn」、「Winter」，What type of skin tone is yours?
“You must first recognise “the skin tone” to know if rose gold is the “colour for you”!
Actually, not only the colour of your skin, but also the colour of your eyes or hair. But we’ll concentrate on the “skin colour” on this side, which is closely linked to jewellery.
“Skin types are approximately divided into two types when diagnosing personal genetic colour: the yellowish “warm colour” and the blueish “cool colour”. If subdivided, the yellow base has “spring type” and “autumn type”; the blue base has “summer type” and “winter type”. Therefore, four kinds of skin tones are available. It is possible to extend this system of classification to all species on the planet.
| Spring type (yellow base) | The skin has a bright yellow or beige look. It is translucent or shiny, looks fantastic, and gives an energetic impression. |
|---|---|
| Summer type (blue base) | The skin is pink and bright. It gives the appearance of being elegant and noble, and is not easy to tan. |
| Autumn type (yellow base) | It has dulled yellow or brown skin. It gives an impression of warmth and stylish. |
| Winter type (blue base) | White skin with high chroma and brightness. Gives a cool and tidy impression. |
The presence of different types of skin can give different impressions to others, as mentioned above. Each sort and colour you wear has a phase contrast difference, so in the first stage, it is really important to understand your skin tone.
What kind of skin would be better with rose gold?
Let’s take a look at the jewellery you wear and if it suits you, after knowing your skin tone!
In general, “bluish pink” is the colour of rose gold, so it is fitting for the same bluish summer and winter (blue base) skin tone. On the contrary, the spring and autumn skin tone (yellow base) is not so fitting as a whole. However, there is also a degree of chroma-related contrast in addition to colour (for example, whether it has lustre, etc.). For high-colour shiny jewellery with decorative gemstones, spring and winter-type skin tones are very suitable.
In short, a perfect match is for individuals with summer skin tone and “rose gold without gems” and people with winter skin tone and “rose gold with gems”!
Of course, summer-type skin tones are also ideal for rose gold with diamonds, but it is preferred to fit rose gold jewellery with a simple design without gems (or small gems), which will look more desirable.
Will rose gold change colour? Causes and treatments
Rose gold is slowly changing colour due to years of use. Gold with a purity of 100 percent (24K) does not change colour, but rose gold contains copper, silver, and palladium. These mixed metals have the characteristics of discoloration, so even the extremely high purity K22 rose gold can’t avoid discoloration.
Reasons for the discoloration of pink gold
In addition to the generally mentioned “colour change” there are three “fading” and “peeling” modes (coating only). The reasons for this are quite different.
First, will explain each of the possible causes of pink gold discoloration.
“Discoloration” is due to the chemical reaction of mixed metals
As explained above, rose gold is made of pure gold with other precious metals added in the “copper 7: silver 2: palladium 1” ratio. Among the three precious metals, “copper.” is by far the most easily discoloured.
In addition, copper and silver are easy to oxidize and have the characteristics of chemical reactions with oxygen, oil, sulphur and other substances.
Oil is present in cosmetics or in sebum. Sulphur is a component of hot springs and bath powder. Copper or silver reacts with oil and sulphur, which causes pink gold to turn yellow or brown. The chemical reaction with oxygen is particularly difficult. Since oxygen is one of the components of air, jewellery is equivalent to being in contact with oxygen all the time. In other words, even if no action is taken, pink gold will continue to oxidize.
However, recent rose gold jewellery has added anti-oxidation processing, so the oxidation reaction is slower. Compared to previous rose gold products, it is now less prone to discoloration.
“Fade” is caused by a slight scratch on the surface.
In addition to discoloration, pink on the surface of rose gold also appears to fade, which is caused by slight scratches on the surface. Multiple scratches diffuse the light, resulting in “a state where the colour looks faded.” These scratches are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope. No jewellery can avoid scratches caused by long-term use, but most scratches can be completely removed by repair or maintenance.
“Peeling” is a condition encountered by coated products
Rose gold can only partially reveal a different colour after many years of use. If the substrate is made of metals such as nickel and the surface is treated through the application of rose gold coating, this problem can occur.
Since rose gold only covers the surface, a certain part of the jewellery will be revealed in a different colour (white or silver) as the scratches peel off the surface, i.e., the base metal will be exposed. The peel resistance of the coating would be significantly influenced by the consistency of the technology. Products manufactured with excellent technology cannot easily peel off even if the surface layer is plated, so it is certainly not “coating processing is not good”!
How to recover the colour of rose gold
As mentioned above, it can still not prevent discoloration or scratches caused by long-term usage, even though rose gold is handled very carefully. This does not mean that it would not be possible to use rose gold for a long time. The next move is to introduce the tips for restoring it if your rose gold jewellery has sadly changed colour, or the colour has faded due to scratches.
What should I do if it changes colour?
Rose gold will change colour due to the chemical reaction of mixed metals such as copper and silver with oxygen, oil and sulphur.
“Discoloration” is a state where metal oxides produced by chemical reactions cover the surface of an object, causing the colour to appear dull. This metal oxide is a kind of “dirt” adsorbed on the surface, but this kind of “dirt” can actually be easily removed.
1. Put the neutral lotion (2~3ml) in warm water at around 35-40 °C (1 litre) and dissolve it evenly.
2. Put the rose gold jewellery into the water in 1. and let it stand for 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Use a soft cloth such as gauze to wipe and clean.
This will remove most of the dirt (metal oxide) and restore the original colour. But if there are gems inlaid on the jewellery, you need to pay special attention. Some gems are not resistant to the strength of the neutral lotion. If the gems with the “neutral lotion NG” listed in the table below are inlaid, please use warm water alone to remove the dirt.
| Neutral lotion OK | Diamond, ruby, sapphire, topaz, aquamarine, alexandrite, tourmaline, garnet, amethyst, peridot, etc. |
|---|---|
| Neutral lotion NG | Emerald, amazonite, turquoise, coral, amber, malachite, etc. |
What should I do if the colour fades?
If minor scratches on the surface cause the pink to fade (it looks lighter), the scratches can be removed and the original pink restored by polishing the surface with abrasives or fabric. But it’s advisable not to polish it yourself.
This approach may seem simple, and it’s easy to make people believe that no matter who are doing it, but average people without self-polishing technical experience will cause unevenness or scratches, which will make the situation worse. Therefore, if it is jewellery that is very important, please do not polish it yourself. Leaving it to a professional is better. Many repairers use “ultrasonic cleaning and polishing” to return the jewellery to its original state when dealing with discoloration, and “polishing” when dealing with scratches. For your own case, you can use neutral lotion to remove the dirt, however polishing requires technology. Do not hold the idea that it shouldn’t matter with just a tiny slice of it. Be sure to ask for it to be done by the repairer.
5 significant points to pay attention to in everyday use
The reason why jewellery needs repair is primarily due to regular use. You can still retain a lovely lustre as long as you pay attention to these things.
1. Wipe off sweat or cosmetics after use
Rose gold (the mixed metal contained) will chemically react with sweat or cosmetics and cause dirt, so remember to wipe it with a soft cloth or chamois cloth after use!
2. Remove when putting on or taking off clothes
When putting on and taking off your clothes, the chain or the fixed part of the gems may catch on the clothes or hair, and cause damage, so the jewellery must be removed before putting on and taking off your clothes!
3. Remove when taking a bath or hot spring
Wearing rose gold jewellery on your body and take a bath or hot spring directly, will accelerate the discoloration of rose gold under the influence of water or sulphur. In case you forget to take it off by accident, please wipe it gently after bathing.
4. Proper storage when not in use
Please place it in the jewellery box to avoid scratching while not in use or to be carried to other locations. In addition, please select a jewellery box that has a room and can be kept separately to avoid touching other jewellery.
5. Try to refrain from touching
Particularly with rings, the cause of ring scratches is many acts in daily life. Please remove it or try to prevent the jewellery from touching the foreign object if the heavy object that needs to be relocated or the material of the hand-held object is of a texture that easily damages the contact object.
Will wearing rose gold cause metal allergy? Causes and treatment
Gold, copper and palladium are found in rose gold, which may cause allergic reactions. “It was normal before, but now it is suddenly allergic” Next, I’m going to explain why rose gold can cause metal allergies and how to deal with them.
Metal Allergy Causes
Next, the metal allergy process is briefly clarified.
Please understand the knowledge that “metal will dissolve in sweat (or body fluids)” It becomes very small particles, called “ions” after the metal is dissolved, which can penetrate into the skin. Then the metal which approaches the body binds to the protein and becomes an allergen (that is, a substance that causes an allergy). Metal ions are toxic to the human body, so the body will activate the system of defence which will manifest itself in the body in the form of inflammatory symptoms at this time (allergic reactions).
In particular, since the earrings are pierced into the skin, the metal touches the skin tissue directly, making it especially easy to cause allergic reactions.
Metal allergies caused by rose gold
The precious metals in rose gold are “gold”, “silver”, “copper” and “palladium” in particular. From the point of view of allergy, the following will know the characteristics of each metal one by one!
| Gold | Gold is not readily soluble so it is a precious metal that does not make allergic reactions easy to cause. If it is worn in the form of earrings, however, gold will touch the skin tissue directly, so even gold can still cause allergies. |
|---|---|
| Silver | There are few cases of allergic reactions caused by silver. If you are allergic to silver jewellery, it is not caused by silver, but by other metals mixed with silver. |
| Copper | Copper is a metal that can easily cause allergies. And the highest proportion of rose gold’s mixed metals is also “copper.” Therefore, rose gold can cause allergies often because of copper. |
| Palladium | Palladium is more likely to cause allergies than copper. Although the proportion of palladium in rose gold is very low, it seems that allergies due to palladium are not uncommon. |
Various reactions such as “contact dermatitis” “eczema” “itch” “heat” and “pain” include the symptoms of metal allergy.
In general, reactions occur in the part where jewellery is worn, but in the case of earrings, because metal ions spread to the whole body through the blood, eczema can occur throughout the body.
In addition, the base of coated jewellery often uses cheap precious metals (such as nickel). These metals are prone to allergic reactions, and the base will be exposed when the coating peels off, so special attention is needed. When choosing to purchase coated products, be sure to confirm “what metal is used for the substrate”!
Taking the “skin test” is recommended.
Many individuals are potentially suspected metal allergies, even those that do not have any symptoms, all of whom are more or less allergic to such metals. “We suggest you to go for a “skin test” at a medical institution. “blood tests” or “drug lymphocyte stimulation tests” are all ways to classify allergens but patch tests are the simplest.
The skin patch test melts more than ten types of metals in the liquid, then applies the liquid to the back and, after 2 to 7 days, tests the physical response (depending on the medical institution)
You cannot take a bath while the patch is on (approximately 2 days) (※) and you need to come back several times. Although there are some restrictions and troubles, the overall cost is only 1,000 yuan for the general public, and patients with contact dermatitis can use health insurance to solve it!
The cause of allergies is not only metal, but daily necessities or foods also contain allergens. If you are interested in understanding, you can take a skin test to find out which substances you are allergic to.
※ Some medical institutions may allow patients to shower or wash their hair. Please check with the clinic for details.
Epilogue
Was this article beneficial to you, yes? This time, several intractable diseases have been sorted out and reacted one by one to the “rose gold” that is particularly common among young people. You will want to refer to this article before purchasing it, whether you want to use rose gold jewellery as an everyday accessory or treat it as the only treasure in your life.
