There is apparently no hard and fast formula for yellow gold; it seems to be more an art than a science. Various amounts of copper, silver, zinc, and other metals are added. Pure gold, of course, is naturally yellow. That would be 24 karat, 100% gold. If you're looking at gold that is 90% pure, the closest standard in 22 karat.
"24 Karat Gold Jewelry, where 24 of the 24 parts are gold, 99.99% fine gold. 22 Karat Gold Jewelry, where 22 of the 24 parts are gold and 2 parts are one or more additional metals, making it 91.7% gold."
http://goldprice.org/gold-jewelry/2005/12/24-karat-gold-jewelry.html
This says copper and silver are added:
"Yellow gold is alloyed with copper and silver for extra strength...The concentration of yellow in yellow gold is influenced by its content. The larger or purer the karat, the brighter and deeper the yellow will appear. Pure 24 karat gold, gold that has no alloys mixed in, would thus be the deepest of the colors."
http://www.since1910.com/education/precious-metals/gold-education.aspx