In 2020, Are Rose Gold Rings Still In Style? What About Yellow and White Gold?
Welcome to the Roaring 2020s, where gold is as bold as ever. But are rose gold rings still in style? You might be surprised!
This article was originally published on a WordPress blog that I’ve retired in favor of Substack. Thanks for reading!
Welcome to the Roaring 2020s, where gold is as bold as ever! That is to say, fine gold rings across the AU alloy spectrum are making themselves right at home in our velvet ring boxes, across our Instagram feeds, and on our fingers. But as the new decade starts to unfold, we could all use a little help keeping track of the latest jewelry trends.
Are rose gold rings still in style? How about white or yellow gold? Of course, everyone has different ring style preferences, but here I’m sharing with you all the trends and patterns I’ve noticed so far.
Let’s shimmy over to each of the three most popular metals – yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold. We'll see where they stand in relation to today’s fashion ring trends and engagement ring trends.
Is yellow gold still fashionable for rings in 2020?
Yes, absolutely! Yellow gold is one of the top fashion ring trends for 2020. And, according to Wedding Wire, it’s also a major trend for engagement rings.
Yellow gold’s warmth and radiance elevate even the most minimalist ring designs to luxury status. From stackable rings to chunky cigar bands, you’ll be seeing countless fingers adorned with yellow gold rings in 2020. (I, for one, can’t seem to shake those Instagram ads featuring loads of luminous yellow gold loveliness… nor do I want to!)
If you’re worried that yellow gold may fall out of favor in the coming years, since it’s so huge right now, remember that it’s not simply a passing fad. Yellow gold, in all its glory, will always remain a leading player in the jewelry world.
When pure, 24-karat gold is alloyed with silver, copper, and zinc, it becomes 10-karat, 14-karat, or 18-karat gold. Since 24-karat gold is naturally quite soft, the combination of metals makes it a much more durable material. These gold alloys will hold its color and luster for countless generations to come. Plus, it’s a hypoallergenic option that flatters every skin tone. That’s what makes it so timeless and trendy at the same time.
Quite a few ecommerce jewelry stores have lately been popularizing gold vermeil rings as demi-fine jewelry options. Pronounced ver-may, this simply refers to brass or sterling silver that has been electroplated with a thin layer of gold. It has a similar look to solid gold but at a lower price point.
For instance, if you check out some of the more affordable ring brands, you’ll notice that large statement rings are available in gold vermeil whereas thin stackers typically come in 14-karat gold. This way, golden goddesses can get the look for less.
Just be mindful that gold vermeil isn’t as resilient as the real deal is. The gold-plated surface of vermeil pieces simply won’t hold up to water, suds, sweat, or abrasion very well. If you’re looking for durable, everyday rings or heirloom jewels, the extra money is worth it for solid gold.
Are rose gold rings still in style in 2020?
Rose gold is certainly still a unique, stylish option for rings in the 2020s. Ring designers continue to offer elegant options in rose gold. But this hue isn’t as much of a leader as it has been in recent years.
For a while in the mid-2010s, you might remember that rose gold rings were absolutely everywhere. I certainly do, since that was around the time I was part of the bride-to-be demographic. For engagement rings especially, rose gold was often positioned as an alternative to white gold, which was more popular at that time.
By now, the novelty of rose gold has worn off. The major fad has settled down a bit, especially as yellow gold has taken center stage. According to data from Google Trends, searches for “rose gold ring” hit peak popularity in December 2017 and have since gradually followed a downward trend.
Ring enthusiasts might not choose rose gold for a few reasons. It can be a little more challenging to pair with other pieces of white or yellow gold jewelry if you don’t know where to start. It’s also not as hypoallergenic as yellow gold. And the pinkish tone doesn’t stand out as much against fair skin tones. I remember trying on some rose gold engagement rings and feeling like they just disappeared into my pale English rose complexion!
However, plenty of ring designers are still embracing rose gold to great effect. In 2020, the most exciting rose gold fashion rings are edgier than the sweet, feminine styles we’ve seen previously.
Now, rose gold plays Best Supporting Actor for unusual gemstones like salt-and-pepper diamonds in quirky cuts. Take just one look at this one-of-a-kind stunner by Gem Breakfast and you’ll see what I mean!
Style Caster predicts that brides looking for alternative engagement rings will turn to rose gold. Although it may not be as mainstream as yellow gold in 2020, anyone looking for an out-of-the-ordinary ring can certainly find one in radiant rose gold.
Will white gold fashion rings remain popular in 2020?
As the 2020s unfold, white gold remains a timeless choice for all types of rings. It’s especially stylish with Art Deco antiques from 100 years ago, and new designs inspired by the original Roaring 20s. However, white gold’s longstanding popularity is quickly being eclipsed by yellow gold.
White gold was the most common choice for engagement rings and wedding bands throughout the 2010s. When I got engaged in the mid-2010s, white gold was literally the gold standard (forgive me!) in bridal ring design.
One of the main reasons white gold isn’t as popular for fashion rings is that we’ve seen so much of it in recent years. When choosing a fashion ring, most of us want something that feels fresh and unique, that captures the zeitgeist, and reflects our personality. Styles that have become so widespread don’t always have the ability to do that. After a while, they remain mainstream but are no longer considered fashion-forward.
One major reason to love white gold is that it makes white diamonds dazzle. It sort of tricks the eye into seeing a bigger, brighter center stone (especially if there’s a halo) and works seamlessly for a pavé band.
However, yellow gold and rose gold provide more contrast – you can actually see and appreciate the separate stones. That extra level of detail makes the warmer gold tones a more popular choice for dainty stackable pieces and everyday fashion rings.
But there’s one notable area where white gold really shines: White metals and Art Deco ring design go hand-in-hand. In the 2020s, antique and antique-inspired rings will increasingly catch the eyes of anyone seeking unique, alternative engagement rings and everyday fashion rings.
If you browse through the impressive selection of Art Deco jewels from Victor Barboné (many of which are actually made of platinum), you’ll see why white metals work perfectly for the sleek, geometric settings of that era.
White gold and rose gold and yellow, oh my!
With all this being said, remember that it’s most important for you to choose and wear whichever gold you like best.
Regardless of which gold color is trending today, fine jewelry is not a fad. I have white and yellow gold rings in my collection from across the centuries – and not one of these rings has fallen out of fashion in my eyes!
The market for antique, vintage, and estate rings is as vibrant as ever, so the cutting-edge fashions of the past continue to be popular today. And, thanks to the fashion for mixed metal ring stacks, you really don’t need to choose just one metal color to stay on-trend.
How is your jewelry collection evolving with these shifting trends?
Are you incorporating more yellow gold into your collection? Or do you prefer the more out-of-the-ordinary rose gold pieces?
Just remember — as long as you wear and enjoy the jewelry you have, it’ll always be in style!