Yellow Gold
Also: Yellow Gold, Yellow Gold Alloy
Yellow gold is the classic gold alloy made from gold, silver, and copper, whose warm yellowish colour most closely resembles the pure metal.
Yellow gold is the original and most widely used form of processed gold in the world. As a gold alloy, it combines pure gold with silver and copper, where the proportions of the added metals determine the fineness and the precise colour appearance. Anyone who knows the current gold price can directly determine the material value of a yellow gold piece using the melt value calculator.
Composition and Fineness Values
The fineness indicates how much pure gold (Au) is contained per 1,000 parts by weight in the alloy. For yellow gold, silver and copper are typically added in a ratio of approximately 1:1 to 2:1 (Ag:Cu), which preserves the characteristic warm yellow tone. A higher copper content shifts the colour towards red, while a higher silver content makes the piece paler.
| Fineness | Karat | Gold Content | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 333 ‰ | 8 kt | 33.3% | Fashion jewellery, entry-level jewellery (DE/AT) |
| 585 ‰ | 14 kt | 58.5% | Everyday jewellery, USA, Eastern Europe |
| 750 ‰ | 18 kt | 75.0% | Fine jewellery, watch cases (CH/DE) |
| 916 ‰ | 22 kt | 91.6% | Coins (Krugerrand), traditional jewellery |
| 999 ‰ | 24 kt | 99.9% | Investment gold, bars – not for jewellery |
The most popular jewellery gold in Germany is 750 yellow gold (18 karat): it combines good workability, high durability, and a rich gold tone. 585 gold (14 karat) is less expensive and widely used in the international mass market. Coins such as the Krugerrand traditionally use 916 yellow gold to achieve a harder, more scratch-resistant surface.
Production and Processing
Yellow gold alloys are produced at the refinery or foundry by melting the components together. The process follows a simple basic formula:
Fine Weight (Au) = Gross Weight × Fineness / 1000
Example 750: 10 g × 0.750 = 7.50 g fine gold
After melting, the alloy is further processed into rolled strip, wire, or blanks. Yellow gold is excellent for soldering, rolling, and drawing – properties that have made it the preferred jewellery material for thousands of years.
Identifying Features and Hallmarks
Yellow gold pieces in Germany and Austria bear a legally regulated hallmark (punch) that identifies the fineness in per mille (e.g. "585" or "750") or as a karat designation. Older pieces from the 19th and early 20th centuries may bear different stamps. For authenticity testing, acid testing, streak testing, or – non-destructively – X-ray fluorescence analysis are suitable methods.
Yellow Gold vs. Other Gold Alloys
In addition to yellow gold, there are three other main alloy colours:
- White Gold: Contains palladium or nickel instead of copper; is often rhodium-plated.
- Red Gold: A high copper content (>12%) gives a distinctly reddish colour.
- Rose Gold: Medium copper content; falls in colour between yellow and red gold.
Yellow gold does not require surface finishing such as rhodium plating and therefore shows no colour change through wear – a practical advantage over white alloys.
Calculating Material Value
The material value of a yellow gold piece depends on the current gold price and the fineness. The gold calculator allows the value to be determined to the second by weight, karat, and daily price. For scrap gold or broken gold, the buying price calculator provides a realistic guideline value after deducting dealer margin.
Note: Information on tax aspects relating to the purchase or sale of gold jewellery (e.g. VAT, speculative holding period) does not constitute tax or investment advice – please consult a specialist adviser.
In Brief
Yellow gold is the most timeless gold alloy: by combining gold with silver and copper, the classic gold tone is created alongside practical hardness. The fineness – identifiable by the hallmark – determines both the material value and the processing properties.