Rose Gold Question

[White Orchid]

Please excuse my ignorance, but there aren''t many jewellers in my neck of the woods who deal with rose gold. I heard recently that the rose colour fades over time much the way white gold does. Is this common all rose gold or just in lower quality pieces? Is there a way for a jeweller to restore colour or prevent fading? I''ve been itching to buy some rose gold jewelry but I''d like to know how much upkeep is involved before I invest.

 

[iheartscience]

Rose gold jewelry shouldn''t fade. The color comes from copper in the alloy, so the color is throughout the metal. The only way it would fade was if it was just plated.

White gold is rhodium plated to look whiter so that''s why it turns over time.

 

[White Orchid]

That''s what I thought. I was shocked to hear that rose gold would fade, especially when there are pieces that still exist that are a hundred years old or more. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[glitterata]

Rose gold can tarnish, as can any non-24K gold. Maybe that''s what your jeweler meant? It usually takes a long time, though: many of not wearing it much. And it''s easy enough to remove the tarnish.

 

[gemgirl]

It''s been my experience that rose gold doesn''t change at all. I have a ring that''s 65 yrs old and it''s always been exactly the same. I also have a new rose gold ring that''s a gorgeous blush color and the same as it was when I bought it last spring.

 

[glitterata]

Oops, I left out a word. I meant to say it takes many years (or many decades) of not wearing it for non-24K gold to tarnish. Lower karat gold tarnishes more quickly, but still not very quickly.

 

[White Orchid]

Good to hear. Thank you very much!