Yellow Gold Engagement Rings: The Ultimate Buyers Guide

When people think of gold, they automatically assume it is yellow gold, even though gold is available in other colors, such as rose gold and white gold.

Yellow gold is synonymous with engagement rings and wedding bands. Yellow gold has seen a resurgence in popularity within the last few years when white metals had their moment of style prominence (platinum, white gold, silver, and stainless steel, for example). Now, yellow gold has gained back momentum in the market, making it just as popular and sought-after as white metals and the ever-classic richness of rose gold.

Yellow gold is luxurious, saturated in yellow-golden color, distinctively noticeable, very durable, and perfect for everyday wear and tear. Add a pop of lavish yellow gold to your daily jewelry collection by purchasing a diamond engagement ring crafted in yellow gold. Yellow gold is warm and inviting, versus white metals, which are cooler in appearance.

This informative blog post will serve as a brief educational guide for yellow gold and introduce yellow gold engagement ring designs, opening a world of possibilities for your engagement, anniversary, or wedding ring.

​What is Yellow Gold?

Gold is a noble metal. A noble metal is a stable metal resistant to chemical action, does not corrode, and is not easily attacked by acids when exposed to high temperatures (Oxford Dictionary).  Other noble metals include yellow, platinum, and silver, also frequently used in jewelry and ornamental objects. This is why gold is such a suitable metal for jewelry.

In its purest form, gold is too soft to be used with a very rich tone that is not always desirable for jewelry designs--it has an almost reddish hue.

Gold is malleable and can be mixed with alloys without losing its stability.   In order for it to be more durable and hard, gold is mixed with different trace elements. Yellow gold by itself does not tarnish, corrode, or discolor.

Some gold alloys may include a mix of copper, nickel, palladium, zinc, iron, platinum, cadmium, and even silver. These alloys had extra hardness, durability, and toughness to the gold, making them perfect for jewelry design.

Gold is referred to by many acronyms that are stamped inside the ring, a lock on a bracelet or necklace, on the back/ inside the bail of a pendant, for example. These stamps may be next to the designer signature/trademark, stone caratage of the design, year the item was made, and origin (only if the item has these stamps, a lot do not). These small stamps are hidden just out of sight when the design is worn but are often easy to view when the item is evaluated.

Some of these acronyms include K, k, KT, kt, karat. Some countries may refer to gold with a c or ct.

Gold is divided into percentages depending on the alloy to gold ratio. This helps determine the price and worth of the gold. The following is a breakdown of the gold:

Gold Karat Percentage & Stamp:

24K     99.9-99.95%, pure gold    

22K     91.6%                                        

20K     83.33%                                      

18K     75% - STAMP 750                               

14K     58.33% - STAMP 585              

12K     50%                                           

10K     41.67%

Gold can be stamped with the K % or the stamp or both the stamp and the percentage, for example, 18k 750.

Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Yellow gold engagement rings are available in endless styles and karat golds, presenting a never-ending selection to choose from once you have decided on choosing yellow gold as your engagement ring fine metal.

Yellow gold engagement rings are readily available in 18k and 14k gold. Their difference is your preference for the amount of gold you would like in your fine engagement ring mounting. Oftentimes, the difference is unnoticeable to the naked eye.

18k yellow gold will be more expensive than 14k yellow gold when the design and all the elements/stones remain the same.

Unique Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

It's all in the details! Showcase who you truly are with a very special engagement ring you enjoy wearing every day. Set the standard high for elegance and modern luxury with a unique yellow gold diamond engagement ring that showcases your commitment and love with distinction.

Here are some examples of remarkable diamond yellow gold engagement rings. All styles can be modified with additional design details, added side stones, and more.

Yellow Gold Vintage Engagement Rings

Vintage-style rings are currently in demand. Yellow gold vintage engagement rings feature style elements such as milgrain (beaded edges), filigree (openwork on the top of the ring), engraved (dimensional detail on the band), and diamond-cut (shiny cuts on the gold surface), for example.

These elements add incredible dimension and pattern to the gold, amping up the glamour of the yellow gold vintage engagement ring. If you love added finishes to the gold instead of a smooth finish, a vintage engagement ring is the one for you.

Yellow gold vintage rings include halo settings, pave settings, cushion cuts, emerald cut, and marquise center stones. These are timeless cuts that have been reworked with extra facets for added brilliance.

Emerald cut engagement rings feature this classically elegant rectangular step-cut set horizontal or sideways. Emerald cuts can also have halos around them, adding sparkle with a cluster style.

Yellow Gold Solitaire Engagement Rings

How about a timeless yellow gold solitaire engagement ring? 

Solitaire engagement rings are such a classic statement style yet are anything but ordinary. Solitaire engagement rings include round brilliant cut, marquise, emerald cut, princess cut, and fancy cut stones prong or bezel set. The band can be brightly polished, brushed or satin finish, or a combination of both. Yellow gold solitaire engagement rings provide just enough elegance but are perfect for those who use their hands. A single sparkling diamond or colored gemstone will always get noticed as it graces the finger.

Yellow gold engagement rings come in cluster styles, solitaire, French pave, channel set, hidden halos, double halos--the mountings are endless when it comes to yellow gold. Yellow gold holds all stones beautifully and securely, making it one of the best fine metals for your dream engagement ring.

Yellow Gold Halo Engagement Rings

Halo engagement rings are a bestseller at Ritani and are sought after by many couples. The tiny diamonds surrounding your choice of center stone will create the appearance of a larger diamond, while also adding extra sparkle and brilliance. While halo engagement rings have antique origins, they can still be very modern. This style is perfect for someone who is looking for a bold engagement ring.

Yellow Gold Oval-Cut Engagement Rings

Oval-cut engagement rings are another popular choice. Similar to the timeless round-cut diamond but with a more elongated appearance, the oval-cut diamond adds a unique touch to any engagement ring. It also flatters the finger and creates the illusion of a longer, more slender finger. This sparkly diamond shape also appears larger than most other diamond shapes due to their large table.

Yellow gold engagement rings come in cluster styles, solitaire, French pave, channel set, hidden halos, double halos--the mountings are endless when it comes to yellow gold. Yellow gold holds all stones beautifully and securely, making it one of the best fine metals for your dream engagement ring.

Are Yellow Gold Engagement Rings Out of Style?

Call it the comeback queen or comeback king! As mentioned previously, yellow gold has seen an uptick in popularity in the last couple of years that shows no signs of slowing down. Once a relic of the 80s and 90s, yellow gold has been discovered with a newfound appreciation! This popularity is also apparent with fine-fashion jewelry, including stacking bands and stacking bracelets because of its eye-catching, glamorous sheen-everyone has come to love the show-stopping color and durability that yellow gold offers.

Yellow gold engagement rings and wedding bands are complimentary on both men and women, warming the skin tone with its bright shine.

Is it Hard to Take Care of a Yellow Gold Engagement Ring?

Yellow gold doesn't fade or tarnish, as mentioned previously. Yellow gold can be put into the ultrasonic or liquid cleaner. Yellow gold can be professionally buffed, removing scratches and dents over long periods of wear and tear (This applies to smooth finishes ONLY, NOT satin or brushed-finish rings).

Extra care must be taken for certain colored stones or treated stones. Please contact us today with any questions you have BEFORE placing your jewelry into these harsh cleaners for professional assistance.

Yellow gold rings can be permanently resized or resized with sizing beads, depending on the setting of the stones. Please contact us today for resizing questions regarding ring styles.

Do you have questions regarding your yellow gold engagement ring purchase? Email or call us today and we will be able to assist you.

Shop Yellow Gold Engagement Rings

Up Next: Choosing a Diamond for Yellow and Rose Gold​