What is yellow gold?
Yellow gold is an alloy used in jewelry, composed of pure gold generally combined with copper and silver. These metals are added to make the gold more resistant while allowing it to retain its color. Since pure gold is 24K and very malleable, yellow gold comes in different proportions of gold, including 10K, 14K, and 18K.
Why does yellow gold remain a preferred choice for precious jewelry?
Yellow gold captivates with its warm, luminous, and timeless color. It naturally enhances many skin tones and remains closely associated with symbolic jewelry, especially engagement rings and wedding bands. Unlike white gold, it does not require rhodium plating to maintain its hue. Over time, its surface may develop a slight patina, but its color remains that of the alloy itself.
What are the main properties of yellow gold?
Yellow gold combines warmth, durability, and ease of maintenance, making it a lasting choice for everyday jewelry as well as for pieces meant to be cherished for a long time.
- A naturally warm color: Its bright yellow hue enhances both diamonds and colored gemstones, while maintaining a classic and timeless appearance.
- A durable alloy: The addition of metals improves the jewelry's resistance, particularly for the band, prongs, and settings.
- Simple maintenance: Since its color comes directly from the alloy, regular cleaning and, if necessary, a light polish are usually enough to restore its shine.
How does the number of karats affect the appearance of yellow gold?
The number of karats determines the proportion of pure gold present in the alloy and directly influences its color, hardness, and everyday behavior. The higher the gold content, the richer and deeper the yellow hue usually is.
- 18 karat yellow gold contains 75% pure gold. Its color is deep, warm, and particularly close to that of natural gold.
- 14 karat yellow gold contains 58.5% pure gold. Its hue is slightly softer, and it offers an excellent balance between color, strength, and durability for everyday jewelry.
- 10 karat yellow gold contains 41.7% pure gold. Its color is generally paler due to the higher proportion of alloy metals, which also gives it greater hardness
Our jewellers' opinion
Yellow gold has a warm and generous presence that we particularly love to highlight. Its rich color allows for more vibrant combinations, especially with precious stones like ruby or emerald, whose hues stand out beautifully against this metal. With yellow gold, the metal becomes a true color in the composition of the jewelry. On an engagement ring or a solitaire, it can warm up the overall look, accentuate the contrast with the center stone, and add more depth to the design.
Frequently asked questions about rose gold
Yellow gold retains its color since it comes directly from the alloy. Over time, however, it may lose some of its luster due to micro-scratches and accumulated residue. Professional cleaning or polishing can restore its shine.
Yellow gold is typically made of pure gold mixed with silver and copper. The proportions of these metals vary depending on the desired caratage and influence both the durability of the jewelry and the shade of yellow obtained.
Yes. Old yellow gold jewelry can be recovered, refined, or melted down to create a new piece. This transformation gives a sentimental piece of jewelry a second life while preserving the value of its precious metal.