Won't use rose gold for earring posts?

[Cerulean]

So, I was all set to purchase a pair of earrings, these to be specific:

1337A_AP“fleurs“Diamond pierced-earrings

【 Design No.：1337A_AP 】【fleurs（フルール）】かたわらに花 fleurs（フルール）はフランス語で「花」を意味します。うれしい時、かなしい時、いつもかたわらには花があります。人にそっと寄り添う花々の存在をイメージしたコレクションです。

www.abheri-jewelry.com

And it notes directly on the product page that these earrings can be ordered in rose gold (AKA 18k Pink Gold)

I reached out to a sales associate to place an international order, and lo and behold, they won't make earrings with anything other than 18k yellow gold posts, wires, or hoops. Huh?

After inquiring further they said they can do pink gold for a significant increase in price (awaiting what "significant" means)

I am both surprised and annoyed that they listed pink gold as an option for this design and can't fully execute their designs with pink gold. I think yellow gold posts and backings would be ridiculous and I really don't want yellow gold, or platinum...

Has anyone encountered this? Is rose gold really such a poor choice of metal for earring posts? I have just never heard of this...

 

[Karl_K]

There is a good reason behind it.
Rose gold is very high in copper content.
The more red the more copper.
Do you want green ears? It does not happen to everyone based on body chemistry but it is not uncommon.

 

[Karl_K]

Rose gold is also very brittle compared to yellow gold or plat so that is another reason.

 

[Cerulean]

There is a good reason behind it.
Rose gold is very high in copper content.
The more red the more copper.
Do you want green ears? It does not happen to everyone based on body chemistry but it is not uncommon.

Interesting.

I knew there was more copper (more brittle) and I know copper alloys are a pain to work with when I did cast metal sculptures, but I didn't know it was high enough to turn ears green! I have never worn rose gold earrings, but I figured since I see them so frequently, that this wouldn't be an issue.

So is it common for jewelers to make rose gold earrings with yellow gold or platinum posts that you know of?

Now I am wondering if rose gold earrings with RG posts make sense at all to buy.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

As mentioned already above, rose gold has copper which can trigger allergies in people who are sensitive to it. Also, it may have nickel too as part of the alloy (although nickel can be used in WG too) which can again irritate those who are sensitive.

My guess is that the vendor doesn't stock rose gold posts as a default for allergic potential reasons and need to special order/make it which explains the 'significant' price increase.

 

[Cerulean]

As mentioned already above, rose gold has copper which can trigger allergies in people who are sensitive to it. Also, it may have nickel too as part of the alloy (although nickel can be used in WG too) which can again irritate those who are sensitive.

My guess is that the vendors doesn't stock rose gold posts as a default for allergic potential reasons and need to special order/make it which explains the 'significant' price increase.

Thank you for this. I really appreciate you helping me come to an understanding and @Karl_K. I do have sensitive skin, so maybe their default with YG posts makes more sense for me as a consumer.

I just was like...wow why do I see solid RG posts for sale everywhere? I just have never seen YG posts on RG earrings but I am ignorant of these details obviously and will take them into consideration!

There is also a bit of a language barrier as the company is Japanese and I think it is tricky to adequately explain why beyond just "we don't do that"

 

[Karl_K]

So is it common for jewelers to make rose gold earrings with yellow gold or platinum posts that you know of?

To be honest I dont know what the overall market does. I do know that the reasons given above is why some wont do it.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

Thank you for this. I really appreciate you helping me come to an understanding and @Karl_K. I do have sensitive skin, so maybe their default with YG posts makes more sense for me as a consumer.

I just was like...wow why do I see solid RG posts for sale everywhere? I just have never seen YG posts on RG earrings but I am ignorant of these details obviously and will take them into consideration!

There is also a bit of a language barrier as the company is Japanese and I think it is tricky to adequately explain why beyond just "we don't do that"

It is totally reasonable to expect a consistent metal color for the post and the earring!

Good thing that you realized that the rose gold may irritate your sensitive skin before buying though so now you can decide on what to do. Those earrings are nice in rose gold but personally I think it'll still pretty in yellow gold and perhaps better to have a consistent look overall with same metal color?

Yes, I can imagine the language barrier being a factor making it hard to explain the potential reasons!

 

[Cerulean]

It is totally reasonable to expect a consistent metal color for the post and the earring!

Good thing that you realized that the rose gold may irritate your sensitive skin before buying though so now you can decide on what to do. Those earrings are nice in rose gold but personally I think it'll still pretty in yellow gold and perhaps better to have a consistent look overall with same metal color?

Yes, I can imagine the language barrier being a factor making it hard to explain the potential reasons!

I have honestly fallen so out of love with yellow gold lately, I hate to say! Even though I totally agree that this design does beautifully in YG. Love it on other people...sigh!

I had my heart set on a RG mismatched "set" (I have a bracelet, now need earrings, a ring, and a necklace in no particular order lol!)

I am now thinking that the YG posts may be my best bet if I am ever to have RG earrings without risking sensitivities. I find that my skin gets the most touchy with my ears (I can't wear silver or WG nickel alloys in my ears, haven't tried with much else) then my neck...my wrists and fingers seem more impervious to irritants.

I am hoping that the posts are tucked away enough that it won't matter...and platinum would be even more of a contrast...

 

[Sprinkles&Stones]

Really? I’ve never heard that rose gold is more brittle. My E-ring is 18k rose gold. Heck most of my jewelry is rose gold. I’ve also never heard of people having allergic reactions to it? I guess I learned something new!

 

[Cerulean]

Really? I’ve never heard that rose gold is more brittle. My E-ring is 18k rose gold. Heck most of my jewelry is rose gold. I’ve also never heard of people having allergic reactions to it? I guess I learned something new!

You and me both!

 

[Cerulean]

So I found a picture on their site of a different style with their RG alloy + YG posts...

Hoping this isn't going to be too obtrusive?

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

I am now thinking that the YG posts may be my best bet if I am ever to have RG earrings without risking sensitivities. I find that my skin gets the most touchy with my ears (I can't wear silver or WG nickel alloys in my ears, haven't tried with much else) then my neck...my wrists and fingers seem more impervious to irritants.

I am hoping that the posts are tucked away enough that it won't matter...and platinum would be even more of a contrast...

I know what you mean because I'm also sensitive and can't wear alloys with nickel, this is why I thought of allergy right away when I heard the vendor didn't want use RG post!

Although it may not seem ideal to have a RG earring with YG post, I think it may not look like too much of a contrast because they are both 18ct. Since 18ct good has less copper and more yellow gold content than say 14ct RG, I think the difference in color against the 18ct YG will be less pronounced and the picture you found below shows a difference but doesn't look too obtrusive IMO.

So I found a picture on their site of a different style with their RG alloy + YG posts...

Hoping this isn't going to be too obtrusive?

 

[Cerulean]

I know what you mean because I'm also sensitive and can't wear alloys with nickel, this is why I thought of allergy right away when I heard the vendor didn't want use RG post!

Although it may not seem ideal to have a RG earring with YG post, I think it may not look like too much of a contrast because they are both 18ct. Since 18ct good has less copper and more yellow gold content than say 14ct RG, I think the difference in color against the 18ct YG will be less pronounced and the picture you found below shows a difference but doesn't look too obtrusive IMO.

I appreciate the reassurance a lot!

I got a "test" RG piece that is 9k (antique)...risky, I know! it doesn't seem to bother my wrist but I am certain I would get a rash if it were a necklace (I had a 14k WG necklace with nickel that was impossible to wear)

My husband was just teasing me that no one on god's green earth would notice the difference when I showed him...

...I said "except maybe another PSer would"

he then joked about how at least i found a home amongst other perfectionists

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

I appreciate the reassurance a lot!

I got a "test" RG piece that is 9k (antique)...risky, I know! it doesn't seem to bother my wrist but I am certain I would get a rash if it were a necklace (I had a 14k WG necklace with nickel that was impossible to wear)

My husband was just teasing me that no one on god's green earth would notice the difference when I showed him...

...I said "except maybe another PSer would"

he then joked about how at least i found a home amongst other perfectionists

I think with necklace and earrings, I tend to be more sensitive than with something like a bracelet on my wrist though. Speculating here but I think it could be that a post on earrings is something 'foreign' inside the ear lobe and so more prone to reacting and with necklaces, the metal may interact with our body chemistry like with sweat on a hot day or if exercising. With our hands and wrist, maybe it is less sensitive because it gets exposure to more substances day-to-day. Haha so many random theories I'm coming up with!

Funny your husband joked about you finding a home amongst other perfectionists! I actually said to mine yesterday how I'm happy to have found PS so that I can talk diamonds and jewelry to people who actually care!

 

[Karl_K]

he then joked about how at least i found a home amongst other perfectionists

Welcome to the insanity!

 

[Cerulean]

I think with necklace and earrings, I tend to be more sensitive than with something like a bracelet on my wrist though. Speculating here but I think it could be that a post on earrings is something 'foreign' inside the ear lobe and so more prone to reacting and with necklaces, the metal may interact with our body chemistry like with sweat on a hot day or if exercising. With our hands and wrist, maybe it is less sensitive because it gets exposure to more substances day-to-day. Haha so many random theories I'm coming up with!

Funny your husband joked about you finding a home amongst other perfectionists! I actually said to mine yesterday how I'm happy to have found PS so that I can talk diamonds and jewelry to people who actually care!

Your random theories definitely resonate with me and my anecdotal experience! I was wondering the same thing...exposure = less sensitivity. That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

And totally agree regarding the forum. It's a wonderful little corner of the internet. I can't say I have ever met anyone who cares as much about jewelry as I do IRL. It has been great fun and glad you joined!

 

[Karl_K]

@Cerulean you laugh but your pocketbook will never be the same!
EnablersAreWe

Edit: that sounds bad with the trade badge but hey after 18+ years I know this place!

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Say it, Karl. Say it loud.
Chicago blues.

 

[Cerulean]

Say it, Karl. Say it loud.
Chicago blues.

How’d you know I was a Chicagoan?!

(no, really…I am!)

 

[Cerulean]

@Cerulean you laugh but your pocketbook will never be the same!
EnablersAreWe

Edit: that sounds bad with the trade badge but hey after 18+ years I know this place!

Oh goodness I haven’t been here nearly as long and I am already suffering damages!

A few years ago I wouldn’t have dreamt of spending thousands on…well anything, other than a car or house

my my how things change!

 

[Karl_K]

So I found a picture on their site of a different style with their RG alloy + YG posts...

Hoping this isn't going to be too obtrusive?

hmm on the ear no one is going to see it unless they look at the back of the ear with that design.
Do you have a pic of the one you were looking at?

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

hmm on the ear no one is going to see it unless they look at the back of the ear with that design.
Do you have a pic of the one you were looking at?

Looks like it is the French hook part of the earring that will be in 18ct YG from the link in her first post.

 

[Karl_K]

Looks like it is the French hook part of the earring that will be in 18ct YG from the link in her first post.

That would not look very good.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I didn't realise RG posts could create a problem! I don't have a lot of RG jewelry, but I do have a pair of earrings that are RG (posts and backs included) - and they don't cause allergies for me, plus I didn't need to explain anything to the jeweler - he just made it that way as standard.

So initially I was taken aback when I read your post, but I guess from what others say its not that unusual. I do think once it's worn you wont notice.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

It is unlikely that 18K rose would cause problems, but they are playing safe and probably had some earlier issues. Nickel is more allergenic and for 60 or 70 years the trade mainly used nickel alloys until the EU made a ruling.
18 and 14K rose are harder to bend and more brittle than yellow golds of the same karat. 9 and 10K are easier to bend.

 

[Diamond_Enthusiast]

18 and 14K rose are harder to bend and more brittle than yellow golds of the same karat. 9 and 10K are easier to bend.

On the topic of how bendy metal/alloys are, is it true that platinum post for earrings is a bad idea as it is more likely to bend? I had a jeweler tell me that it is best to use WG post for the custom earrings I was getting made in platinum because the WG post is less likely to bend, whereas the platinum may probably will. Initially I thought platinum is a good idea being the most hypoallergenic. For the record, I can wear nickel-free WG with no issues.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Platinum posts work pretty well if they are thick - say 0.9mm as it is a 'sticky' metal. But I prefer to use white gold butterflys for the extra spring

 

[peacechick]

I’m not sure if the Japanese tend to be more allergic to nickel or copper but from my internet browsing I found that much of their fine jewelry is made in platinum. So I also agree if they are not keen to do rose gold, it may be for hypoallergenic issues.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I’m not sure if the Japanese tend to be more allergic to nickel or copper but from my internet browsing I found that much of their fine jewelry is made in platinum. So I also agree if they are not keen to do rose gold, it may be for hypoallergenic issues.

The best quality clip on earring clips I ever found are from a Japanese company - they have little silicon clear rubber spongy covers