Gold Vermeil 101: Everything You Need to Know
Gold jewelry has become more popular and widespread in recent years. We’re here with your full guide to gold vermeil. Laying out all the information for you below and make it crystal clear.
What is gold vermeil?
It refers to some kind of fine jewelry. To be legally called “vermeil” in the United States, a jewelry piece must meet all of these criteria:
- Based on sterling silver. Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other materials and is the standard material (as opposed to brass or copper) used in high-quality jewelry.
- Plated with at least 10k (10 carats) of gold. This means that gold contains at least 41.7% gold.
- The gold plating thickness is at least 2.5 microns. A micron is 1/1000th of a millimeter.
Is vermeil good quality?
It is the highest quality jewelry you can buy that isn’t solid gold. It is an excellent affordable option for gold jewelry. In the rankings of demi-fine jewelry vermeil certainly ranks as the highest quality affordable option.
Does gold vermeil tarnish?
The base metal used for making 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, 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 long will vermeil last?
It can last for years with proper care. In fact, it is more durable than other gold plated options – making both ideal for creating staple gold necklaces and gold bracelets for daily wear.
Is gold vermeil better than 14K gold?
Vermeil is considered the best 14K gold alternative because it has a base of sterling silver, not brass or copper like gold plated or gold filled jewelry. However, vermeil jewelry does need to be kept dry and away from other harsh chemicals, lotions, etc. If you happen to like personalized jewelry and pursue high cost performance, it is your best choice.
But if you’re a die-hard fan of solid gold, or you have a higher budget, 14K gold is always a smart-investment.
What’s the difference between gold vermeil and gold plated?
Vermeil differs from plated jewelry in its thickness. What does gold plated mean? The industry standard for a gold layer on vermeil is much thicker than the standard thickness of a gold plated piece. Plated pieces are often plated over a cheap base metal as well.
FAQs about gold vermeil
What is 18K gold vermeil?
If you see “14K,” “18K,” or some other carat number in front of “gold vermeil,” it’s just referring to the amount of gold in it: 24K is 99.9% gold, 18K is 75% gold, 14K is 58.3% and 10K is 41.7%.
Higher is not necessarily better. Pure gold is very flexible and yellow in color, so mixing it with other materials strengthens the gold and makes it more suitable for use in jewelry. Mixing it with other materials will also change the shade of gold so the yellow tone is less aggressive.
Can vermeil get wet? Can I shower with vermeil?
In short, no. Minerals and sediments in ordinary tap water can dull or damage your jewelry over time. While showering with vermeil is usually fine, this will hasten the degradation of jewelry. It’s best not to shower with vermeil jewelry every day, as the soaps, shampoos, and conditioners you use can react with the metal.
