Is Rose Gold a trend that’s here to stay?
The colour rose gold has become ubiquitous in the 21st century, appearing on everything from cellphones and other electronics to home furnishings and even hair dyes. In 2016, Pantone named Rose Quartz as its Color of the Year, and since then, rose gold has been increasingly popular.
You may be wondering if rose gold jewellery is a trend that will fade away if you decide to add any pieces to your collection. Since rose gold has been used since the 19th century, it is safe to assume that rose gold jewellery will continue to be popular for generations to come.
Rose gold: A brief background:
It was in imperial Russia in the 19th century when rose gold, then known as Russian Gold, first entered the lexicon. Carl Fabergé, the famous jeweller best known for his Fabergé eggs, is widely credited as the inventor of rose gold. Carl Fabergé is credited with developing the technique of using copper to tint yellow gold pink.
Eventually, the word “Russian gold” changed to “rose gold” as more and more jewellers started using this pink gold in their creations.
Rose gold—what is it?
To get its pinkish hue, yellow gold is typically combined with copper to create rose gold. The jeweller may need to experiment with different proportions to achieve the desired flush. To achieve a vivid pink hue, for instance, one typically use 14-karat yellow gold that contains a larger percentage of copper. However, jewellers may use 24 karat gold that is somewhat silvered or white golded and contains a small proportion of copper for a softer, “champagne” pink.
Jewelry made with rose gold has a yellow gold basis that is anywhere from 60 to 75 percent by weight, with copper and silver added to provide the desired pink hue.
Rose gold’s heyday was the 1920s:
Rose gold jewellery experienced a huge surge in popularity in the 1920s. There was a direct correlation between the wealth of the time and the use of vivid colours and glittering diamonds. Rose gold’s rising popularity was due to the feminity it lent to 1920s designs and the vibrancy of the era’s colour palette.
The use of rose gold is a great way to spruce up any ensemble; it exudes an air of grandeur and sophistication that is both fashionable and enjoyable.
Cartier was among the first major jewellery manufacturers to offer pieces using rose gold. The Cartier Trinity ring is a prime example; it combines white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold into a single piece of jewellery. However, Cartier went with rose gold for their entire line. Rings and bracelets crafted from Cartier’s signature rose gold Love collection are just one example.
Jewelry, especially for women, was a popular way to show off wealth and status in the 1920s, and it was not uncommon to see bold colours and complementary rose gold blushes.
World War II: The Rose-Golden Age:
The 1920s were known for their vibrant colours, but the rise of monochromatic fashion favouring black, white, and grey pushed the use of pink metals to the side in favour of platinum and white diamonds. In keeping with the Art Nouveau style, jewellery became popular in stark silver and stark white.
However, during WWII, platinum was a crucial commodity in the war effort. Because of this, platinum’s use was limited in many nations. Gold’s yellow and pink tones came back as a result. Gold replaced platinum as the most popular jewellery precious metal as platinum was put to more practical uses.
After World War II, rose gold became popular as an alternative to gold. Many people were looking for ways to brighten their lives and spread optimism following the devastation of World War II. The combination of rose and yellow gold was a wonderful way to express hope in a troubled world. After a period of grey, the injection of rose gold’s femininity and warmth was highly appreciated.
The most popular metal for jewellery this year is rose gold:
Rose gold was undeniably the colour scheme of 2016, what with it being named Pantone’s Color of the Year and Apple launching a rose gold iPhone 8 in 2015. In 2016, rose gold became the most covetable colour scheme in years, inspiring more and more designers to incorporate the trend into their work. The search for exquisite antique rose-gold jewellery became a popular pastime as a result.
Even now, rose gold is a highly sought-after metal and colour trend in the jewellery industry. Despite competition from yellow and white gold, rose gold is likely to remain a popular choice due to the increasing diversity of consumer preferences.
Five years ago, rose gold was all the rage, but now the colour is still popular, albeit in a more understated fashion. More and more individuals are seeking out beautiful antique rose gold pieces as a means of reintroducing this trend from the past.
Procuring Rose-colored Gold Jewelry:
You can’t go wrong with a piece of vintage rose gold jewellery that pays homage to the past while also fitting in with the modern style. Susannah Lovis carries a wide selection of rose gold jewellery, including vintage art deco pieces, signet rings, and diamond rings from designers like Bvlgari and Cartier.
