How To Care For Rose Gold Jewelry

Rose gold has experienced wave after wave of popularity since the early 2010s, becoming a regular feature of modern jewelry ever since. Owing to its rise in popularity, more and more people have been adding rose gold jewelry to their wardrobes, including rose gold bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and pendants. Rose gold has also become a trendy option for engagement rings thanks to its delicate pink hue and romantic vintage appeal.

You can read all about how to care for your rose gold jewelry below, but let’s first have a brief look at the properties of this precious metal.

What Is Rose Gold Made Of?

Rose gold is an alloy like yellow and white gold. It consists of yellow gold mixed with copper and a small amount of silver, which produces the attractive rose gold tone that many people have become obsessed with.

Can Rose Gold Tarnish?

Rose gold is not “pure” in the sense that it can be found in nature. However, rose gold is real gold unless it is plated. Thus, “pure” rose gold will not tarnish or lose its color over time.

It’s a good idea to check whether your rose gold jewelry is real before you clean it. All you need to do is search the piece for a jewelry stamp or purity mark. These markings will be the same for rose, yellow, or white gold, depending on the karat (in other words, there is no separate stamp specifically for rose gold). For example, if the piece is 14 karats, it will have the 585 mark. If it is 18 karats, it will have the 750 stamp.

These markings denote the proportion of gold to other metals in the jewelry piece. For example, 750 means that the piece consists of 75% gold. If you can find a mark like this on your rose gold jewelry, you can be sure that it is real and it is safe to proceed with cleaning it.

Cleaning Rose Gold Jewelry

Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning your rose gold jewelry:

1. Using warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush, gently scrub your jewelry to remove built-up dirt and grime.
2. Rinse with cold water and gently dry with a soft microfiber cloth.
3. If you don’t intend to wear the piece again straight away, store it in the box it came in or a soft fabric bag away from direct sunlight.

A Word of Caution

• Rose gold rings, earrings, and pendants containing gemstones may require extra care when cleaning. Avoid submerging these pieces in water as this may loosen the gemstone’s setting. In addition, several varieties of colored gemstones are susceptible to heat and sudden changes in temperature or humidity. Thus, it’s best to leave cleaning these pieces to a professional.
• Rose gold bracelets and gold necklaces may need to be taken to a jeweler for professional cleaning if their chains and links are too delicate to be scrubbed.
• Rose gold earrings and rings are often small and may have intricate jewelry designs, making it difficult to thoroughly clean these pieces without the help of a specialist’s equipment.
• Only use liquid dish soap and warm water when cleaning your jewelry, and avoid using any harsh chemicals or abrasives.
• If you are unsure about cleaning your jewelry yourself, rather take it to a shop where a jewelry consultant will be able to advise you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Rose Gold

Is rose gold real gold?

Rose gold is real gold. It is produced by mixing pure gold with copper and a small amount of silver.

Does rose gold tarnish with age?

Rose gold does not tarnish because it is real gold. Rose gold is also very durable thanks to its composition and does not require an extra layer of plating to increase its luster, making it a strong and beautiful option for an engagement ring and other types of jewelry that are worn daily.

Does rose gold fade?

Rose gold does not fade because it contains real gold.

Are there different shades of rose gold?

Pink and red gold refer to different shades of rose gold. Pink gold contains fewer copper alloys, while red gold contains more.

Is rose gold valuable?

Most people mistakenly think that rose gold is worth less than yellow gold because it is an alloy. However, all jewelry made from gold is an alloy of some sort. Thus, the price of a piece is determined by the proportion of pure gold to other metals it contains, not its color.
As a result, rose gold is no less valuable than other types of gold. On the contrary, a 14k rose gold engagement ring will cost the same as a 14k ring in yellow gold.

Why does rose gold turn your skin black?

Rose gold has a tendency to leave a black or green mark on the skin. This is a reaction caused by the copper alloy in the metal when it comes into contact with the acids on your skin. This is known as oxidation and is generally no cause for concern.
However, you can reduce the likelihood of oxidation by choosing a piece with a higher karat when shopping for rose gold jewelry. These pieces contain less copper and are less likely to stain your skin.

Can you clean rose gold with baking soda?

Baking soda is safe to use for restoring the shine to your rose gold jewelry. However, it is not recommended for use on softer metals because it is a light abrasive.