1. The color is similar to gold (yellower and less red then pure copper). With that said, it doesn't mean that a Beryllium Copper contacts can't be plated with gold (or other types of plating).
Regarding toxicity - A lot of materials that are used in electronics are considered a "health hazard".
I'm no expert, but this seems more relevant to the people that manufacture them then to those who handle them.
2. I think the material is: "Yellow Bronze" - alloy of Copper 85 % and Tin 15 %. It lacks the elasticity of Beryllium Copper and therefore considered inferior (lower mating cycles).