The exact answer to why some rose gold appears more pink is directly related to its composition: the amount of copper added to the gold alloy.
Rose gold is created by mixing pure gold with other metals, primarily copper, to give it its distinctive pinkish hue. The intensity of this pink color depends on the proportion of copper in the mixture.
Copper Content is Key
According to the reference, rose gold alloys containing more copper will be more pink. Pure gold is measured in karats, with 24 karats being 100% pure gold. Lower karat numbers indicate a lower percentage of pure gold and a higher percentage of other metals (alloys) mixed in.
Therefore, lower karat rose gold alloys contain a higher proportion of these other metals, specifically copper, compared to higher karat rose gold. This higher copper content is what makes them appear more vibrantly pink.
For example, as the reference states:
- 14k rose gold looks more pink than 18k rose gold.
This is because:
- 18 karat gold has a higher gold content (75%). The remaining 25% is alloy metals, where copper provides the pink color.
- 14 karat gold has a lower gold content (58.5%). The remaining 41.5% is alloy metals. To achieve the pink color, a larger proportion of this alloy mix must be copper compared to the alloy mix in 18k gold.
Here's a simple comparison based on typical compositions for standard rose gold alloys:
| Karat | Gold Content (%) | Alloy Content (%) | Primary Alloy for Pink | Pinkness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18k | 75% | 25% | Copper | Less Pink |
| 14k | 58.5% | 41.5% | Copper | More Pink |
In essence, the more copper present relative to the gold content (found in lower karat alloys), the deeper or more vibrant the pink color will be.
