Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish?

Gold vermeil jewelry has become more popular and widespread in recent years. But does gold vermeil tarnish? How to take care of your gold vermeil jewelry? There’re so many questions about gold vermeil jewelry and we’re here to make it crystal clear.

What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil is any jewelry that consists of a base layer of sterling silver topped with solid gold. Any jewelry marked gold vermeil must meet the following requirements:

• Sterling silver must be the base material. Sterling silver is a metal alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals.

• The gold-plated layer must be at least 10k gold but can be 14k to 24k gold.

• Be plated in gold at least 2.5 microns thick. (micron = 1/1000th of a millimeter)

Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish?

The base metal used for making gold vermeil is sterling silver. Sterling silver is of excellent quality but does contain 7.5% alloy metals. Alloy metals are more prone to discoloration.

Additionally, gold vermeil jewelry can contain as little as 10 carats of gold in the gold layer. The lower the carat content, the more likely the jewelry will tarnish. For best results, you should choose a gold purity above 14K.

In short, with typical use and wear, gold vermeil is the highest quality, and longest lasting option aside from solid gold.

How to make gold vermeil last longer?

Store gold vermeil carefully

Whenever you are not wearing the pieces, store them separately in the fabric pouch. This will ensure they don’t rub against hard surfaces and get scratched.

Never place jewelry near heat sources as it may cause discoloration or even deformation. It’s also a good idea to never put any weight on them.

Keep them dry

Never wear gold vermeil jewelry while swimming, exercising, or bathing. Water or sweat can negatively affect the metal and fade the gold finish very quickly.

Keep gold vermeil away from bed

Do not go to bed with your scarlet jewellery. The constant friction and sweat from the sheets can damage them quickly.

Wear jewelry after perfume

Never apply perfume with your jewelry on. Instead, wear them once the scent dries on the skin, as ingredients are notorious for corrosive plating.

Clean gold vermeil after wearing them

Wipe down jewelry with a soft cloth after every use to clean body oil or makeup. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when cleaning, or remove jewelry, as harsh chemicals can affect the gold layer. Do not clean them with any harsh fabrics or chemicals. You should not use a toothbrush to clean debris. All you need is a soft microfiber or 100% cotton cloth to dab the debris.

FAQs about gold vermeil tarnishing

Does vermeil turn green?

The answer is, it depends. Vermeil doesn’t turn green, but the sterling silver underneath can react with things like sulfur or chlorine in the environment to make the gold layer look green. This is more likely to happen with rings and bracelets because they are often exposed to water or chemicals.

But a lot of vermeil pieces are covered with a protective layer that keeps them from getting tarnished or changing color. This can be done with a layer of rhodium or a clear lacquer, which seals in the gold layer and keeps it looking bright and shiny. If your vermeil jewelry is starting to turn green or change color, the protective coating may have worn off and needs to be reapplied.

How do I fix tarnished gold vermeil?

Use a gentle jewelry cleaner or warm water and a small amount of mild soap to clean the jewelry. Don’t use rough things like brushes on the gold vermeil finish, as they can scratch it.

Dry the jewelry: After cleaning it, use a soft, clean cloth to dry it completely. This will help keep water from leaving marks and rust from getting worse.

Use a polishing cloth. If the tarnishing isn’t too bad, you can try using a polishing cloth made for gold vermeil jewelry. Rub the jewelry with the cloth until the tarnish comes off.

Replate the jewelry. If the tarnish is bad or the gold vermeil finish has worn away in some places, you may need to have the jewelry replated with a new layer of gold. This is something that is best done by a trained jeweler.

Does 18k gold vermeil tarnish?

18K gold vermeil can lose its shine over time if it is exposed to things like air, water, and chemicals. But how quickly it rusts depends on how thick the gold layer is and how good the metal underneath is. Vermeil with a thicker gold layer and a strong base metal may be less likely to tarnish than pieces with a thinner gold layer and a weaker base metal.

Is gold vermeil waterproof?

No metal is truly “waterproof” as minerals and sediment in ordinary tap water can dull or damage jewelry over time. While bathing with gold vermeil is typically OK, this may hasten the degradation of jewelry. You’d better not to bathe with vermeil jewelry every day, as the soaps, shampoos, and conditioners you use may react with the metal.

Is vermeil allergen free?

Yes, gold vermeil is hypoallergenic! One of the great features of vermeil jewelry is that it’s hypoallergenic. As it is made up of only precious metals most people will have no reaction or issues with this type of jewelry.