In the Pink: Rose Gold Engagement Rings for the Romantic at Heart
This warm metal and natural diamond combo offers a fresh yet timeless take on the classic engagement ring.
Rose gold engagement rings have an undeniable romance—their soft blush tone evokes old-world elegance and the rosy sentiments traditionally associated with the color pink. Originally popularized in 19th-century Russia, where it was known as “Russian gold,” rose gold became a favorite among aristocrats and jewelry connoisseurs. Later embraced during the Art Deco era, rose gold has long been prized for its vintage charm and warm hue. Today, it’s making a major comeback, especially among brides seeking a distinctive and timeless engagement ring.
Both natural diamonds and rose gold have long symbolized love and romance, making them a perfect pairing. “Rose gold has a warm, romantic tone that feels both vintage and modern—it can also bring a softer glow to diamonds and colored stones. It’s a little unexpected but can still be timeless,” Jillian Sassone, founder and creative director of Marrow Fine.
Rose gold also flatters every skin tone and complements both classic and contemporary settings. (What’s not to love about all of that?) If you’re searching for a ring that’s meaningful, enduring, and just a little bit nontraditional, rose gold engagement rings offer the perfect blend of history and modern-day style.
Meet the Expert
- Jillian Sassone is the founder and creative director of fine jewelry brand Marrow Fine, known for transforming heirlooms into modern, meaningful designs.
- She is a self-taught designer with a fresh, rule-breaking approach to vintage-inspired fine jewelry.
Ahead, find everything you need to know while shopping for diamond and rose gold engagement rings.
What Is Rose Gold?
Rose gold is a warm, pink-toned metal made by alloying pure gold with copper and a touch of silver. Unlike white or yellow gold, which are more traditional choices, rose gold has a subtle, rosy hue that flatters nearly every skin tone. It’s available in different karats (such as 14K or 18K), with higher karat rose golds appearing softer and more saturated in tone.
This unique alloy has been used in fine jewelry since the 19th century and was especially popular during the Victorian and Art Deco eras. Today, its romantic color and vintage-meets-modern appeal make it a beloved choice for engagement rings.
The Symbolism of Rose Gold in Diamond Engagement Rings
There’s something inherently romantic about the soft, pinkish tint of rose gold. It’s often associated with love, passion, and femininity, which makes it a particularly meaningful metal for engagement rings. Some even see it as a symbol of warmth and enduring affection—a poetic match for a lifelong commitment.
Rose gold engagement rings can also reflect personal style. They are the perfect choice for those who love heirloom-inspired designs, want a ring that stands out, or are simply drawn to the beauty of less expected metals.
What to Look for in Rose Gold Engagement Rings
When shopping for rose gold engagement rings, consider the overall design, durability, and how the metal interacts with the center diamond. “It’s good to think about the tone you love—rose gold can range from soft blush to a deeper rosy hue depending on the karat and copper content,” Sassone says. “14K is the most common, which has a balanced mix of gold and copper, while 10k tends to look deeper and redder, and 18k appears softer and more subtle.”
When it comes to mixing metals, Sassone advises choosing white metals like platinum or white gold over yellow gold. “Yellow gold and rose gold are almost too similar in tones, but are just different enough that it could make the set feel less intentional,” she says.
Here are a few other things to keep in mind as you shop for the rose gold engagement ring of your dreams:
- Metal Quality: 14K rose gold tends to be more durable due to its higher copper content, making it ideal for daily wear. 18K rose gold, on the other hand, offers a richer color and higher gold content, though it may be slightly softer.
- Setting Style: Rose gold pairs beautifully with both vintage and modern designs. It enhances delicate details like milgrain, filigree, and pavé accents, while also providing a warm contrast in sleek solitaire or bezel settings.
- Band Width and Shape: Slim bands in rose gold can look ultra-feminine and refined, while thicker styles can lend a bold, architectural feel.
Diamond Color and Rose Gold Settings
Because of its pink undertones, rose gold can subtly mask faint color in diamonds, making it an ideal match for stones in the G-H-I color range. This allows for some flexibility when selecting your diamond, especially if you’re looking to maximize size or opt for a more affordable stone.
That said, higher color grades like D-F can still look stunning in rose gold, especially in settings that showcase contrast. For a truly one-of-a-kind look, consider pairing rose gold with a fancy colored diamond, like champagne or cognac, for a warm, tonal aesthetic.
If you’re selecting a diamond with a noticeable tint (such as a K color), be sure to view it in person or ask your jeweler how it will look in a rose gold setting, as warmer diamonds may take on a slightly more saturated appearance.
Shop Diamond and Rose Gold Engagement Rings
Get inspired by a variety of rose gold engagement rings for every style and budget from some of our favorite designers.
Eva Fehren Pink Warrior Ring, price upon request, evafehren.com
Trumpet & Horn Pear Shape Diamond and Rose Gold Solitaire Ring, $16,500, trumpetandhorn.com
Single Stone Savannah Ring, $9,000, singlestone.com
Erika Winters Laurel Cathedral Solitaire Ring, $12,500, greenwichjewelers.com
Two by London Rose Gold and Platinum Oval Shape Solitaire Engagement Ring, from $3,435, londonjewelers.com
Kwiat Ashoka Diamond Engagement Ring in Rose Gold, price upon request, kwiat.com
Hamilton Jewelers Rose Gold and Diamond Engagement Ring, from $3,695, hamiltonjewelers.com
Retrouvaí One-of-a-Kind 3.01ct Diamond Heirloom Bezel Ring, price upon request, retrouvai.com
Lizzie Mandler Large Round Diamond Knife-Edge Signet Ring, $27,170, lizziemandler.com
Anita Ko Domed Diamond Ring, $8,450, anitako.com
Grace Lee Column Ring, $23,880, gracelee.com
Erstwhile Honeycomb Vintage Inspired Ring, $14,500, erstwhilejewelry.com
Marrow Fine The Posey East-West Engagement Ring, $7,650, marrowfine.com
