We adore rose gold. A look at Adam’s portfolio might have lead you to suspect his warm feelings for this blushing alloy. From fashion, to beauty and even extending to tech, rose gold has been basking in the spotlight for a few years now. While the style trend has made this rosy metal ubiquitous, we find that customers still come to us with more questions about rose gold than any other precious metal. With that in mind, we’d like to share expert insight and styling ideas which just might inspire you.

Is rose gold “real”? How does its value compare to yellow and white gold?

Rose gold contains as much gold as any other gold color with the same karatage. Popular karatage for jewelry-making ranges from 10kt to 22kt, with 14kt and 18kt being most popular in the United States and Europe respectively. Goldsmiths typically stamp the karatage directly on jewelry in an inconspicuous place, so it’s easy to establish value. Since karatage represents the amount of gold contained, the higher the number, the greater the value of the alloy. Don’t let color confuse you though; rose, white and yellow gold of the same karat have equal value (approximately).

Why not use pure gold?

Throughout history, we’ve admired and cherished gold for being stable/tarnish-free, conductive, malleable, and most of all, beautiful to behold. However, with few exceptions, most consider pure 24 karat gold to be too soft for jewelry making. Goldsmiths are posed with the challenge of creating alloys, or blends of metal, which embody the valued characteristics of gold while making it durable enough to be wearable and safe for delicate designs and stone-setting.

What makes that pink color?

Rose gold gets its color from copper, used as an alloying metal. Copper and gold work together beautifully. Copper lends a flattering blush to the metallic tone. Gold provides warmth and stabilizes the mix, preventing copper from oxidizing to green. Other common gold alloy metals include nickel and zinc. The blend used determines the resulting color of the gold.

Is rose gold just a fad of the moment?

Rose gold has a heritage that spans centuries. The alloy was first popularized by Carl Fabergé, maker of Fabergé Eggs. In the mid 1800s, the alloy was called “Russian Gold,” as it introduction and rise to popularity took place among Russian high-society. (Paris) Rose gold enjoyed a surge of popularity in the 1920s. Throughout the 20th century, white and rose gold have alternated as the favored gold tone of the day. Over the years, jewelry designers have favored this lively alloy for being universally flattering and pairing in unique ways with colored gemstones.

What tips do you have for wearing rose gold?

Whether your jewelry style is traditional or trend-setter, rose gold is easy to love. Leatrice Eiseman of Pantone Color Institute explains the appeal this way: “It’s hard to dislike a color that you will naturally look good in… used in a ring, a piece of jewelry, or something you wear around the face, it throws this wonderful glow onto the skin.”

As a lesser-used precious metal, rose gold creates variation in classic designs with white diamonds, bringing a fresh and friendly feeling. When coupled with colored gemstones, the distinctive blush widens a designer’s color palette. Neeley describes, “When I’m designing, I select metal and gemstones carefully so that the colors harmonize. I love using rose gold because it presents an opportunity for unique color pairings and because it’s extremely flattering when worn.”