For glamorous gifts this Christmas, only one hue will do. Forget gold and silver, the most stylish presents will be rose gold — a pinky-copper that’s turning up everywhere from shoes and bags to cameras and laptops.
The trend started in jewellery, with retailers using the pretty metal to add a feminine twist to classic styles. It’s a clever bit of marketing, because rose gold is not a pure precious metal like gold or silver, but an alloy of yellow gold and cheaper copper.
In theory, it ought to cost less — but its fashionable status means it’s often more expensive. The mark-up can be even more dramatic for plastic, fabric or metal things that have simply been sprayed with rose gold paint.
This Christmas, shops are full of ‘special edition’ rose gold products exactly the same as versions in other shades — except that the price has been inflated by up to 75 per cent.
So why are we willing to pay so much more for rose gold?
‘It’s feminine, flattering and suits almost every skin tone,’ says Emily Seares from website Fashion Bite. ‘Yellow gold can be quite harsh, and silver can be cold; rose gold offers a soft, warm alternative. It’s also a very versatile colour — looking casual for daytime, but adding a dressier finish to a party outfit without being too sparkly and garish.’
The shade first came into fashion in the Twenties and now, like all things Art Deco, it’s having a renaissance.
‘If you want to make a statement without being overly girly or brash, it’s the way to go,’ says Emily.
So, is the fashion cachet worth spending that little bit extra?
Alex Monroe 22ct Vermeil Bumble Bee Pendant Necklace
ROSE GOLD VERSION:£165
REGULAR COLOUR: £150, both from johnlewis.com
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £15 (13 per cent)
Bottega rose gold/gold prosecco 20cl. can cost up to 11 per cent more in rose gold
Bottega rose gold/gold prosecco 20cl
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £4.39
REGULAR COLOUR: £3.89, both from drink supermarket.com
PRICE DIFFERENCE: 50p (11 per cent)
Tweezerman mini slant tweezers
Tweezerman mini slant tweezers are available for 77 per cent more in rose gold
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £22.95
REGULAR COLOUR: £13, both from johnlewis.com
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £9.95 (77 per cent)
Wild & Wolf 746 1960s corded telephone
Wild & Wolf 746 1960s corded telephone costs 57 per cent more in rose gold
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £57.99
REGULAR COLOUR: £36.89, both from johnlewis.co.uk
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £21.10 (57 per cent)
Fitbit Alta
Fitbit Alta costs 25 per cent more in rose gold than the coral version
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £149.99
REGULAR COLOUR: £119.99, both from boots.com
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £30 (25 per cent)
Sutton case watch with mink dial and mesh strap
Sutton case watch with mink dial and mesh strap costs 8 per cent more for rose gold
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £140
REGULAR COLOUR: £130, both from owlwatches.com
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £10 (8 per cent)
Dell XPS 13 laptop — there is a tiny difference in screen resolution here, with the rose gold model boasting QHD+ to the aluminium’s full HD
Dell XPS 13 laptop costs £300 more in rose gold than the regular silver colour
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £1,449.95
REGULAR COLOUR: £1,149.95, both from johnlewis.co.uk
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £300 (26 per cent)
Kate Spade New York Cameron Street Lacey zip around purse
Kate Spade New York Cameron Street Lacey zip around purse (pictured) costs 20 per cent more in rose gold
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £168
REGULAR COLOUR: £140, both from johnlewis.co.uk
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £28 (20 per cent)
Magnitone barefaced vibrating sonic daily cleansing brush
Magnitone barefaced vibrating sonic daily cleansing brush (pictured) costs 27 per cent more in rose gold
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £89
REGULAR COLOUR: £70, both from fragrancedirect.co.uk
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £19 (27 per cent)
Kingston Primrose 16in retro bike
Kingston Primrose 16in retro bike costs £23 more in rose gold than the standard colour
ROSE GOLD VERSION: £292.99 (was £389.99)
REGULAR COLOUR: £269.99, both from argos.co.uk
PRICE DIFFERENCE: £23 (8.5 per cent)