What is yellow gold?

Yellow gold is an alloy of pure gold combined with silver and copper to create a durable, warm-toned metal suitable for fine jewelry. Pure gold, rated 24 carats, is too soft for everyday wear, so alloying it reduces that softness while preserving its characteristic color. An 18-carat yellow gold alloy, the standard used in Valquère settings, contains 75% pure gold by weight. The exact ratio of silver to copper determines where the final color lands on the spectrum, from a pale champagne yellow to a deeper, richer tone. Higher copper content shifts the alloy toward rose or red gold; higher silver content keeps it cooler and more neutral. For buyers choosing a setting metal, 18-carat yellow gold offers a practical balance: enough gold content to resist tarnish, enough alloy hardness to protect a lab-grown diamond in daily wear.