What causes Rose Gold to fade?

[bobabreath]

Rolex is putting out some seriously attractive RG pieces recently. But I don't understand why rose gold can sometimes fade to yellow. It's not like gold itself changes color. Maybe the copper component oxidizes into a colorless form? It's been said that Rolex adds platinum to the mix to stabilize the color. Does copper-platinum alloy have some special properties? Or is Everose just more Rolex marketing to get us to spend big bucks on this?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...48762967010392

[joli160]

I believe the recent mix of alloys called Everose is quite resistent against fading to yellow unlike the older RG watches.
Old, faded red gold watches come back to live after a gentle polish

[BzKneez]

Ive heard with rose gold you need to stay away from chlorinated pools and hot tubs. The chemical causes the rose colour to fade but I've also heard that Rolex everose is resistant to this. Either way just to be safe I'd take off the watch before going in.

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[AliJoi5]

Hmmm I must tell you, as someone who studied at the GIA (and took courses in precious metals and alloys), I have never heard of solid rose gold fading. I also own quite a bit of it, and have never had a problem.

As with any precious metal or natural gem, do keep it away from chemicals, household cleaners, perfumes, lotions, etc. I've never heard of fading, but any of those substances can pit precious metals and their alloys over time.

Continued exposure to strong UV light can cause certain gem colors to fade, but I've never heard of that occurrence with gold, rose or otherwise. So, again, I wouldn't think that'd be a concern. Then again, I would never wear my fine jewelry to the beach for a day of frolicking in the sand and surf. But some folks do. Eek!

To create rose gold, natural yellow gold is alloyed with mostly copper and a little bit of silver. 18k RG, which is what Rolex uses exclusively, would be 75% gold, about 22% copper, and about 3% pure silver. Neither natural yellow gold nor copper is prone to fading, so, again, I'm not sure why the alloy would be any different. Copper, of course, can discolor and oxidize over time or when exposed to the elements, but not in this particular alloy, and it still wouldn't account for the fading. The only scenario I can think of would be yellow gold that has been merely PLATED with rose gold. Naturally, Rolex would never take such a short cut. But with other rose gold products, always be sure to ask if the item is SOLID rose gold and not plated yellow gold.

Interesting topic... hope this helps a bit. ��

[Paul_I]

Subscribed - own a TT Yachtmaster (rose gold) and am curious what folks have to say.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by AliJoi5

Hmmm I must tell you, as someone who studied at the GIA (and took courses in precious metals and alloys), I have never heard of solid rose gold fading. I also own quite a bit of it, and have never had a problem.

As with any precious metal or natural gem, do keep it away from chemicals, household cleaners, perfumes, lotions, etc. I've never heard of fading, but any of those substances can pit precious metals and their alloys over time.

Continued exposure to strong UV light can cause certain gem colors to fade, but I've never heard of that occurrence with gold, rose or otherwise. So, again, I wouldn't think that'd be a concern. Then again, I would never wear my fine jewelry to the beach for a day of frolicking in the sand and surf. But some folks do. Eek!

To create rose gold, natural yellow gold is alloyed with mostly copper and a little bit of silver. 18k RG, which is what Rolex uses exclusively, would be 75% gold, about 22% copper, and about 3% pure silver. Neither natural yellow gold nor copper is prone to fading, so, again, I'm not sure why the alloy would be any different. Copper, of course, can discolor and oxidize over time or when exposed to the elements, but not in this particular alloy, and it still wouldn't account for the fading. The only scenario I can think of would be yellow gold that has been merely PLATED with rose gold. Naturally, Rolex would never take such a short cut. But with other rose gold products, always be sure to ask if the item is SOLID rose gold and not plated yellow gold.

Interesting topic... hope this helps a bit. ��

Great post.

[locutus49]

I think this is a myth, at least with Rolex alloys.

[burnthesehills]

Originally Posted by AliJoi5

Hmmm I must tell you, as someone who studied at the GIA (and took courses in precious metals and alloys), I have never heard of solid rose gold fading. I also own quite a bit of it, and have never had a problem.

As with any precious metal or natural gem, do keep it away from chemicals, household cleaners, perfumes, lotions, etc. I've never heard of fading, but any of those substances can pit precious metals and their alloys over time.

Continued exposure to strong UV light can cause certain gem colors to fade, but I've never heard of that occurrence with gold, rose or otherwise. So, again, I wouldn't think that'd be a concern. Then again, I would never wear my fine jewelry to the beach for a day of frolicking in the sand and surf. But some folks do. Eek!

To create rose gold, natural yellow gold is alloyed with mostly copper and a little bit of silver. 18k RG, which is what Rolex uses exclusively, would be 75% gold, about 22% copper, and about 3% pure silver. Neither natural yellow gold nor copper is prone to fading, so, again, I'm not sure why the alloy would be any different. Copper, of course, can discolor and oxidize over time or when exposed to the elements, but not in this particular alloy, and it still wouldn't account for the fading. The only scenario I can think of would be yellow gold that has been merely PLATED with rose gold. Naturally, Rolex would never take such a short cut. But with other rose gold products, always be sure to ask if the item is SOLID rose gold and not plated yellow gold.

Interesting topic... hope this helps a bit. ��

Thank you. Very informative!!

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by burnthesehills

Thank you. Very informative!!

Yes, and be that as is may.

It omits the fact that Everose gold is alloyed with Platinum that is reportedly a patented alloy which Rolex developed to counteract the effects of color change.

We need to keep in mind that Rolex go to the expense and trouble of running their own foundries under their very own roof to make their very own, unique variations of Rose gold and possibly White gold which are patented.
It's unclear if this extends to their Yellow gold or Platinum.

[AliJoi5]

Glad to be of some assistance, guys. Meant to also add that Rolex may very well replace the silver component of traditional rose gold alloy with platinum. Certainly this would create a stronger amalgam, but, I don't see how 2-3% platinum would stabilize the copper color or affect possible fading. Then again, I've never experienced any fading firsthand, so it's difficult to speculate. Certainly, Rolex has expert metallurgists at their disposal who are far more qualified than I.

I wouldn't let it stop you from grabbing your favorite model in this shade, OP. I love that men are experimenting with RG more and more. Traditional YG will always be a classic beauty. But RG is such a fresh, unexpected look, IMO.

[AliJoi5]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Yes, and be that as is may.

It omits the fact that Everose gold is alloyed with Platinum that is reportedly a patented alloy which Rolex developed to counteract the effects of color change.

We need to keep in mind that Rolex go to the expense and trouble of running their own foundries under their very own roof to make their very own, unique variations of Rose gold and possibly White gold which are patented.
It's unclear if this extends to their Yellow gold or Platinum.

We just posted at the same time... lol... I realized I hadn't touched on that in my original response.

[jeffnnj]

I would have never purchased my 228235 if I thought it could fade. That’s why they call it EVERrose.


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[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by bobabreath

Rolex is putting out some seriously attractive RG pieces recently. But I don't understand why rose gold can sometimes fade to yellow.

Who says Rolex RG is fading?

[AK797]

Do you have pics? I guess on older models this may have been an issue hence the new fanfare and nomenclature of Everose, altho maybe this is also marketing hype.

[AliJoi5]

Originally Posted by jeffnnj

I would have never purchased my 228235 if I thought it could fade. That’s why they call it EVERrose.


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Absolutely! I have no doubt that everose stays ever rose. The point I was trying to make, and maybe didn't do a very good job of it, was that I've never even heard of traditional rose gold alloys fading. But that doesn't mean that Rolex hasn't in fact come up with a proprietary alloy that is superior to others.

This reminds me of the newer palladium sterling alloys... it's far more tarnish resistant than traditional sterling. And palladium is in the platinum family as well.

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by AliJoi5

We just posted at the same time... lol... I realized I hadn't touched on that in my original response.

Cool.

Keep saving

[Bigblu10]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Yes, and be that as is may.

It omits the fact that Everose gold is alloyed with Platinum that is reportedly a patented alloy which Rolex developed to counteract the effects of color change.

We need to keep in mind that Rolex go to the expense and trouble of running their own foundries under their very own roof to make their very own, unique variations of Rose gold and possibly White gold which are patented.
It's unclear if this extends to their Yellow gold or Platinum.

Yes, all the gold alloys are mixed in house. They even say Rolex has more solid gold bars than Fort Knox. As far as the Platinum alloy, not sure.

[AliJoi5]

Originally Posted by Dirt

Cool.

Keep saving

Thank you, Dirt! I do have a little ways to go. I'm thinking about a trade-in to offset the higher price point a bit. Difficult for me to part with any of my friends though.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by AK797

Do you have pics? I guess on older models this may have been an issue hence the new fanfare and nomenclature of Everose, altho maybe this is also marketing hype.

A couple years ago I brought several vintage RG DDs to RSC for service estimates. All of them came back on the paperwork described as YG. One of them I actually had serviced and insisted they change the description to reflect the actual and original gold color.

The rep actually argued with me that the watch was YG. I again insisted they have the most senior tech look over the watch. Finally they changed it to RG after re-examining it and told me that the watches from (at the least) that era (1970s & 1980s) are susceptible to changing colors.

Diamond dial DD below is the one I had serviced...

[AliJoi5]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

A couple years ago I brought several vintage RG DDs to RSC for service estimates. All of them came back on the paperwork described as YG. One of them I actually had serviced and insisted they change the description to reflect the actual and original gold color.

The rep actually argued with me that the watch was YG. I again insisted they have the most senior tech look over the watch. Finally they changed it to RG after re-examining it and told me that the watches from (at the least) that era (1970s & 1980s) are susceptible to changing colors.

Diamond dial DD below is the one I had serviced...

Wow! I wonder if back in the day they used to plate them rose over yellow? I can't imagine what else could account for that level of change. In any event, beautiful collection!

[jay9]

This is the first time I am learning about this because I have never really owned a rose gold watch.
Anyway, no knowledge is a waste so thanks for the updates.

Cheers

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Chadridv

A couple years ago I brought several vintage RG DDs to RSC for service estimates. All of them came back on the paperwork described as YG. One of them I actually had serviced and insisted they change the description to reflect the actual and original gold color.

The rep actually argued with me that the watch was YG. I again insisted they have the most senior tech look over the watch. Finally they changed it to RG after re-examining it and told me that the watches from (at the least) that era (1970s & 1980s) are susceptible to changing colors.

Diamond dial DD below is the one I had serviced...

aren't older rose gold day dates in between everrose and yg? i've seen some older great condition 6 digit RG ones up for sale and they almost look yellow gold in some pictures

[BzKneez]

Everose wasn't introduced until 2005 with the Daytona being their first model. In fact they didn't acquire their foundry until the early 2000's. That might explain why older Rolex models had issues with fading over time.

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[Dirt]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Yes, all the gold alloys are mixed in house. They even say Rolex has more solid gold bars than Fort Knox. As far as the Platinum alloy, not sure.

The reality is that the US has been selling off their gold reserves.
So the equation is somewhat fluid overall.
For clarity around the issue.
My understanding is that it's recognized Rolex stocks/holds the largest amount of gold in the world that's "privately held" at any one time.

[Etschell]

Who says it fades?

[wristmatic]

rose gold usually become darker and look more copperish t

[Dirt]

Originally Posted by AliJoi5

Thank you, Dirt! I do have a little ways to go. I'm thinking about a trade-in to offset the higher price point a bit. Difficult for me to part with any of my friends though.

Interesting strategy that has a slight tinge of desperation

As a very wealthy person said to me once.
Actually he told me a lot of things

Unless the trade/sale price is way over the odds, you can never buy them back at the price you let them go for.
This principal may hold true for friends as well

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by AliJoi5

Wow! I wonder if back in the day they used to plate them rose over yellow? I can't imagine what else could account for that level of change. In any event, beautiful collection!

That's possible! I really couldn't tell you. I wish I could remember.

Thanks very much! Mostly all my dad's watches, but I get to play with them every once and while

[nektar]

Interesting topic! Good job OP


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[peterpl]

Everose is the new mix that is supposedly propriety to Rolex. It wont fade thats why its called "Ever" Rose. You should not see any Everose gold Rolex fade since its introduction.

Word has it that they mix it with platinum as well to ensure the color lasts forever.