Colour Differences between 14K and 18K Rose Gold
As with the vast majority of other precious metals in the jewellery industry, rose gold is also an alloy. The colour indicates that different metals are combined with gold.
In the case of rose gold, the alloy creates a metal that is both more robust and long-lasting. Since jewellery is commonly set with gemstones and diamonds, this is vital for retaining them in place. "Less pure" 14k rose gold is more robust and more attractive in colour than 18k rose gold.
What is Rose gold?
Mineral deposits of gold are found in a yellowish-red colour in nature. Genuine rose gold can only be created in a laboratory; it does not occur naturally.
Pure gold is too malleable to be used in jewellery. So jewellers make alloys with more durable metals to get various kinds of gold. For example, rose gold is a kind of gold that consists of gold, silver, and copper instead of just gold. The former is what gives the latter its characteristic pink hue.
The term "Russian Gold" refers to rose gold since it was initially identified in that country in the nineteenth century. The copper component in gold alloys was increased to get the distinctive pink hue of rose jewellery.
Jewellery made of rose gold is all the rage because of how rich and unique it appears. Furthermore, rose gold jewellery is adaptable, as it may be worn with various ensembles. Rings of rose gold and white gold may be worn together or separately.
What is a Carat?
Gold purity is often expressed in carats, or "fineness," the international standard. So, for example, in a 24-carat piece, there would be.1 ounce of gold. That amounts to a gold content of 4.17%.
A 24-carat gold object is made of pure gold. This stuff is gold, pure and simple. For example, the percentage of gold in a ring made of 10K rose gold is 41.7%.
Since rose gold is an alloy, it cannot be 100% pure. Hence there is no such thing as 24-carat rose gold jewellery. Twenty-four-carat gold coins and bullion are your best bet if you're looking for investment-grade gold.
14K Rose Gold
As its name implies, rose gold has a pinkish hue to it. These reddish tones are often associated with love. 14-carat rose gold is the most popular alloy because of its desirable pink hue. The alloy is responsible for producing this hue.
Yellow gold may be transformed into a pinker hue by combining it with copper and other precious metals like silver. By definition, 14-carat rose gold comprises 58.5 per cent pure metal.
An improved pink hue is achieved by adding copper, and consumers often seek after this. However, even though 14k rose gold is more durable and resistant to damage, it still needs expert maintenance, such as yearly cleanings.
18K Rose Gold
Therefore, 18k rose gold's primary selling point is not its superficial hue. Because of their different tonalities, 14k and 18k rose gold seem somewhat different next to one another. It's because 18k rose gold has a higher percentage of pure gold.
It's no surprise that 18k rose gold, like its white and yellow counterparts, is 75% pure gold. The resulting jewellery metal is more pliable and flexible, but it also includes more gold and is more expensive. Despite the higher cost associated with the high gold content, 14-carat rose gold remains a popular choice.
Colour and Shine
The rose tones of 14k rose gold are more pronounced than those of 18k rose gold. Gold's inherent yellow hue gradually becomes a deeper shade of rose red as the copper content rises.
Therefore, the hue changes from yellow to red as the gold in the metal diminishes. Since 14k rose gold contains less gold and more copper than 18k rose gold, it has a deeper rose hue.
It is essential to understand that rose gold jewellery is a solid metal, not a plating. Therefore, they can stay look fresh without regular dipping or replating.
Durability
As a result of their softness, pure gold requires alloys to be used. These are alloys of gold with more durable metal, and they're rather sturdy. However, the addition of harder metals causes the hardness of these gold alloys to increase.
Rose gold becomes more difficult to work with as more copper is added to the alloy. Therefore, 14-carat rose gold is more durable than 18-carat rose gold.
A 14-carat rose-gold band will hold up better to scratches than a silver one. Strength against the corrosive effects of normal use will improve. On the other hand, 18-carat rose gold, softer than yellow gold, will show wear more quickly.
If you were wondering whether or not rose gold is tarnished or rusted, you'd be relieved to discover that it does not.
Hypoallergenic Property
Gold is safe for those who suffer from metal allergies. But its alloys might tell a different tale. Silver and copper are often added to gold to create rose gold alloys of 14 and 18 carats. Both silver and copper are mostly allergy-free.
The danger of an allergic reaction is low, but you should still avoid them if you can. However, there may be certain people who are allergic to copper. Even yet, copper's hypoallergenic remains unaffected.
The problem isn't with gold, silver, or copper but stray metals that may have made their way into the mixture. For example, nickel, the most common metal allergen, may be in minimal quantities in the rose gold item.
A skin rash might develop after a specific amount of time if the skin has absorbed even a trace amount of nickel.
You should only wear rose gold jewellery guaranteed to be nickel-free. The reduced copper content of 18k rose gold makes it a safer option than its lesser-purity 14k counterpart.
Price
Rose gold's other metal components are more affordable than gold, but it's still a splurge.
The metals used were mostly silver and copper. While both gold and silver are valuable, the former has a far higher value. One troy ounce of gold may be exchanged for seventy-nine troy ounces of silver. Naturally, this ratio is vulnerable to market swings.
Therefore, rose gold jewellery with a higher carat (18k) will cost more than its 14k counterpart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do 14k and 18k rose gold look different?
While both 14K and 18K rose gold have the same quantity of yellow gold, there is no guarantee that any two pieces of rose gold will have the same appearance.
It is also true with 18K rose gold. The proportions of copper, silver and even zinc rose gold jewellery may range from pink to champagne.
Is 14k rose gold pinker than 18k rose gold?
Alloys with a lower carat rating include a higher percentage of copper. Therefore their colour will be closer to rose. Due to the higher rate of gold in 18-carat rose gold (75%) compared to 14-carat rose gold (58.5%), the latter appears pinker than the former.
Does rose gold look cheap?
Since copper (another alloy component) is cheaper than other metals, rose gold is often more economical. Extremely long-lasting since copper makes rose gold more robust than regular gold.
How can you tell if rose gold is real?
Verify the carat weight by inspecting the hallmark. There can be no such thing as "pure rose gold" since it would be contrary to the very concept of rose gold.
So, if you have jewellery stamped "24K," chances are it's not real. In the United States, 14-carat rose gold is the standard, but 18-carat is the norm in Europe.
Will 14K rose gold fade?
Even while it is more durable than pure gold, it still takes some care to maintain it looking as good as possible.
Over time, the rose gold colour can fade, and the metal may need to be plated. However, 14k rose gold is usually more resistant to dulling and fading than other pink metals, like pink platinum.
Can rose gold be worn every day?
Compared to white or yellow gold, rose gold is far more durable and resistant to damage caused by normal wear and tear damage. In addition, rose gold is so sturdy that it doesn't need to be plated, unlike other types of gold.
As was previously noted, rose gold retains its lustre and distinct tarnish over time and is highly prized in the jewellery industry.
Can fake gold be stamped 18k?
If the item is made of genuine gold, the stamp should include the manufacturer's mark and carat markings, such as 14K or 24K. Fake gold could have a carat stamp, but it won't have a maker's mark elsewhere. It is not gold if the jewellery is discoloured or gives you a greenish tinge while you wear it.
Why is my rose gold ring turning black?
I must first reassure you that the green or black colouration of your finger caused by your rose gold engagement ring poses no threat to your health. However, because of the acidity in your body, the metal in your ring will become a slightly different shade over time.
Conclusion
Knowing why 14k and 18k rose gold look different is essential when deciding on a ring metal. For example, 14-carat pink gold will be more vivid than 10-carat pink gold. Conversely, if the gold's monetary worth is most important to you, then 18k rose gold is a good choice.
Rose gold, a lovely precious metal, is a classic choice for engagement and wedding rings.