All colors of jewelry grade gold are mixed or alloyed with other metals because pure gold is too soft. Yellow gold is alloyed with copper, nickel, or zinc and is the purest of all gold colors because gold is naturally yellow. Sometimes just called gold, it’s just as durable as white gold and rose gold.
What You Should Know About Yellow Gold
Sunny and classic, gold naturally occurs in yellow and has been used in jewelry since antiquity. It can neutralize any yellow tones in diamonds and moissanite, lessens the cool tones in pastel gemstones, and makes for an all-over warm effect with yellow, pink, orange and red gemstones.
Yellow gold is a great choice for an engagement ring metal: it’s durable, low-maintenance and can withstand a lifetime of wear, including active lifestyles. It’s not a hypoallergenic metal and may not be suitable for those with metal allergies. From a design standpoint, it adds a warming effect to the overall color palette.
Additional Resources
Why We Don’t Recommend Black Gold
What makes this metal beautiful also makes it a poor choice for fine jewelry.