Rose gold jewelry gets its characteristic pink hue by combining pure yellow gold with copper and sometimes silver.
Here's a breakdown of the process:
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Melting and Alloying: Jewelers start with pure 24k gold (which is too soft to use on its own). They melt this gold and add copper. Sometimes, a small amount of silver is also added to modify the color.
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The Copper Ratio: The amount of copper used significantly affects the final color. A higher copper content creates a deeper, more reddish-pink color. Here are some common ratios:
- 18K Rose Gold: Typically contains 75% gold, 22.25% copper, and 2.75% silver.
- 14K Rose Gold: Contains 58.3% gold and a higher percentage of copper to achieve a stronger pink color.
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Casting or Fabrication: Once the gold and copper (and silver, if used) are thoroughly mixed and melted, the alloy is cast into the desired shape. Alternatively, the metal can be fabricated using techniques like soldering and forming to create intricate jewelry designs.
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Finishing: After the piece is shaped, it undergoes finishing processes such as polishing to give it a smooth, shiny surface.
In essence, rose gold is not a naturally occurring metal; it's a blend created by strategically combining gold and copper. The color intensity depends on the proportion of copper in the alloy.
