Rose gold is the starring metal in several new bridal jewelry collections. Often used as an accent to white gold and platinum, pink is quickly gaining in popularity thanks to rose gold watches and the jewelry made to match. “Retailers are drawn to rose gold,” affirms Kirk Karaguezian, founder of Los Angeles–based bridal jewelry manufacturer Kirk Kara.
Lake Balboa, Calif.–based Vanna K has witnessed the same enthusiasm, thus adding solid rose gold semi-mounts to its line this year after increasing requests. To date, there are just 12 SKUs (originally done in white gold) being made in all rose, and they are among Vanna K’s most popular styles—all of which are inspired by vintage rings, with suggested retail prices in 18k gold starting at $3,000. Arch Kitsinian, director of sales, says rose gold engagement rings sold to nearly a dozen of his clients at JCK Las Vegas.
Brian Sage, senior vice president of Frederic Sage in Great Neck, N.Y., introduced rose gold into its bridal line in 2009 and has seen steady increases in demand ever since. “Our goal is to stand out, and that color gold helped us,” says Brian, whose brother, Frederic Sage, serves as the designer and company namesake. In fact, nine out of 10 stores that bought from the company at JCK Las Vegas ordered semi-mounts either in or with rose gold. (Mountings start at just $595 in 14k gold and $695 in 18k gold.)
Studio City, Calif.–based Michael B introduced a proprietary alloy of red gold into his bridal line nearly two years ago. “Michael Bogosian fell in love again with the color,” says a spokesperson. But personal taste wasn’t the only reason for the addition. Mounting retailer and consumer requests for the engagement mountings, which start at $1,700 retail, helped sway the designer. At Michael B’s flagship store in California, a client spied a red gold mounting in production before JCK Las Vegas—it was scheduled to be a new piece for display at the show—but the ring never made it there. “As soon as I was finished making it, she bought it,” says the designer.