Editor’s Note
**Editor’s Note:** This article explores the nuances of gold jewelry, emphasizing that not all gold is created equal. It offers practical advice on selecting the right K-gold shade to complement different skin tones, with a special tip for those with yellow undertones.
Fashion
Jewelry & Watches
It turns out rose gold is the most flattering for yellow skin tones!
By ELLE Taiwan, Edie Lai, Kay Yen
Published: 2019/02/26
The recent resurgence of gold is a delight for the jewelry world. However, gold is not just gold—just as there are countless shades of red lipstick, each brand boasts its own signature gold. With the Chinese New Year tradition of favoring gold, smart gold lovers like you and me should delve into the nuances of gold!
18K gold consists of only about 75% pure gold, with the remainder being precious metals like copper and silver. This composition ensures structural stability, hardness, and toughness. After polishing and electroplating, it can even outshine pure gold. This unique 18K gold is a crucial foundation for many brands, influencing the choice of colored gemstones and the design itself.
CARTIER
PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER panther ring, PANTHÈRE DE CARTIER panther bracelet (BOTH BY CARTIER)
Cartier’s Panthère de Cartier collection
18K yellow gold, with a subtle silvery-white hue under bright light, tempers the richness and boldness of pure gold, adding a touch of understated elegance. The lifelike panther appears grand yet noble in this gold.
VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Left: Zip Antique Rayon 18K gold convertible necklace; Right: Liane 18K gold long necklace (BOTH BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS)
Van Cleef & Arpels is known for its boldness. The color intensity of its yellow gold is nearly identical to pure gold, explaining why it has long been favored by royalty and wealthy magnates.
Rose gold, a variant of 18K gold defined by red copper, has surged in popularity in recent years, significantly surpassing yellow gold.
BVLGARI
Left: Fiorever series rose gold diamond bracelet; Right: Fiorever series rose gold diamond ring (BOTH BY BVLGARI)
Bulgari has made rose gold a staple in almost every collection. Compared to other brands, its rose gold has a warmer, richer pink tone, perfectly complementing the sun-kissed, wheat-colored skin of Italians and reflecting the brand’s lively, joyful spirit.
PIAGET
Possession series bracelet, necklace, ring; Piaget Rose series rose gold ring (ALL BY PIAGET)
Piaget, with its long-standing affection for roses, has put significant effort into its rose gold. From the fully rose-themed Piaget Rose to the classic Possession series, rose gold has replaced yellow gold as the primary material.
Continuing the love for pink gold, its soft, understated hue embodies the quiet elegance of Japanese aesthetics. It also brightens Asian skin tones more effectively than rose gold.
TASAKI
Left: Surge pearl SakuraGold necklace; Right: Buoy South Sea pearl SakuraGold necklace (BOTH BY TASAKI)
In 2011, TASAKI launched SakuraGold, inspired by cherry blossom beauty. It retains the texture of 18K gold but is slightly pinker and less bright.
MIKIMOTO
Pétales Collection Les Pétales de Ginza 18K pink gold pearl diamond cherry blossom petal long necklace, pendant (BOTH BY MIKIMOTO)
MIKIMOTO’s 18K pink gold reveals varying proportions of pink and gold under different lighting, perfectly balancing warmth with the elegance of gold.
Coco Chanel once said:
For Chanel, beige—beyond black and white—closely resembles the skin and embodies effortless elegance, becoming an indispensable element of beauty and affection for the brand.
CHANEL
Coco Crush 18K Beige gold narrow bracelet, small ring, medium diamond-set ring (ALL BY CHANEL)
In 2014, the brand introduced 18K Beige gold through a proprietary alloy technique. Neither yellow nor rose gold, it has a low saturation and subtle elegance, resembling a woman’s glowing skin. This beige gold quickly won over Chanel enthusiasts, pairing beautifully with gold, silver, and classic black and white for a stylish, layered look without complexity.
Keywords: jewelry electroplating
