We can probably say for sure that rose gold is here to stay. It's been years since this rosy alloy took our industry by storm, and its popularity only continues to climb. This is for good reason: rose gold is durable, long lasting, and beautiful. To help you with your search and decision making, we've compiled this buying guide with everything you need to know about rose gold.

Photos by Santiago de Hoyos. Featuring the Islene and Daisy Rings in rose gold.

What is rose gold?

A brief lesson on gold: gold is a soft metal, prone to wear and tear with everyday use. This is why most gold, especially in engagement rings, is best when fortified with other alloys, like copper or silver. 24k gold is pure gold, which is why 24k gold pieces are more expensive, and more delicate. We recommend, in almost every case, an 18k, 14k, or 10k gold to be used in engagement rings—and perhaps even platinum for the ring's prongs, which hold the centre stone. 18k essentially means that the metal is 18 parts gold and 6 parts alloy. 

Rose gold is a specific mixture of gold and alloys which tint yellow gold to a pink colour. The potency of this pink tint can vary depending on the ratio of gold to alloys. Copper with a small amount of silver are the metals added to yellow gold to achieve a rose gold look. 

Because 18k gold is 18 parts yellow gold and only 6 parts copper, in our experience, rings made with this metal tend to look like a regular yellow gold ring. The pink, if noticeable, is extremely pale. This is still a gorgeous look (it's hard to go wrong with most engagement rings), but as people tend to want a more saturated rose gold look, we recommend opting for a 14k or 10k gold, where there is more copper in the metal formulation. This often means the cost of the ring will be lower, as there will be a smaller amount of gold incorporated.

Check out our complete metal guide here.

Caring for your rose gold

Caring for rose gold is very straightforward, just like caring for your other jewelry. Unlike white gold, which needs to be rhodium plated periodically to retain its brilliance, rose gold will stay beautiful with very little maintenance. Because its colour comes from the metal itself, there's no risk of wearing away any surface plating. 

To care for your rose gold, you can soak it in warm water with a mild soap for a few minutes before giving it a light scrub with a very soft toothbrush or a cloth. Clean your ring anytime you notice a little dullness to the shine, or if you notice any dirt or particles that might obscure the brilliance of your stones. It's that simple!

The other great thing about rose gold is that it won't ever tarnish. Over many, many years, rose gold may get slightly more saturated, its pink tones becoming richer. But this is an extremely slow process that generally only enhances the look of the jewelry, creating a beautiful patina.

Photos by Santiago de Hoyos. Featuring the Kate Ring, the Josephine Ring, and the Rosalie Ring. 

Which stones look best with rose gold?

Most stones look great with rose gold. The deciding factor which should point you towards a stone you'll love is the overall vibe that you're looking for. The shape of your stones won't so much be contingent upon the rose gold, but the character and tone of the stone will create extremely varied moods.

For example, we love rose gold with an equally warm morganite stone. The pinkish tone of morganite complements the rose gold and vice versa, creating a super romantic, warm engagement ring that totally brings out the hopeless romantic in just about everyone. Rose gold and morganite seem to be made for each other.

Other combinations create higher contrast. For example, rose gold paired with a classic white diamond or moissanite juxtaposes the warmth of the metal with the more stark, cool brilliance of the diamond for a very striking look. 

Semi-precious stones look great with rose gold, too. We love ruby, or a dark blue sapphire, to pair with a subtle rose gold, like a 14k or 18k. Dark green sapphire, or even a black pepper natural diamond sets off the rose gold beautifully. 

This decision will reflect your own taste and your partner's preferences. Rose gold adds an unexpected feel to an engagement ring, and we encourage you to play around with equally unexpected stones until you find just the right combination. A good rule of thumb when shopping for an engagement ring: do a lot of research and window shopping to figure out what you like best.

Who will rose gold suit best?

Rose gold is a romantic metal choice, and we figure it best suits equally romantic people. Rose gold is for someone that is interested in the latest trends and fashions, and who has fun developing their own personal style. They are playful, and adventurous, and stand out in a crowd. Rose gold works well with all skin tones, too. It sets well with both pink and olive undertones.

If your partner or you are anything like us in the Evorden office, those of us that are not engaged already know what sort of engagement ring we want (yours truly loves yellow gold). If you're unsure if rose gold is the right colour for your partner but you are intrigued, it's always best to ask (however subtly) for their opinion. As versatile and beautiful as rose gold is, it's also a bit of a wildcard, and its always best to be sure.

Featuring the Genevieve Ring and the Fleur Ring, and the Ondine Band with the Ondine Ring. 

Finding the perfect wedding band

In the same way that all stones look great with rose gold but in distinctly different ways, wedding bands work precisely the same way.

You can't go wrong pairing a rose gold engagement ring with a rose gold wedding band—bonus points if that band features a few tiny diamonds! This look is extremely striking, especially if the centre stone of the engagement ring is also diamond or moissanite. 

We also love rose gold paired with yellow gold. This look is very warm but the yellow gold adds a terrific dimension to the rose gold's hue. This also sets a precedent for styling with other yellow gold jewelry, like earrings or bracelets.

Have any other questions about rose gold, or a point you'd like to add? Let us know in the comments! In the meantime, be sure to check out photos from Allie & Sam's engagement shoot, which features a rose gold and morganite combination of our Mia Ring, or check out our Pinterest board for more ideas!

Happy window shopping!