18 karat gold jewelry consists of 75% gold and 25% other (precious) metals to make the jewelry harder and more durable.
- Yellow gold consists of a combination of 24-karat gold, silver and copper.
- White gold usually consists of a combination of 24-karat gold, silver and palladium
- Rose gold consists of a combination of 24-karat gold, silver and copper.
More silver than copper is added in yellow gold and more copper than silver is added in rose gold, giving it its warm rose appearance.