Discover What Gold Vermeil Jewelry Is & Why You Must Have It in Your Collection.
What Exactly Is Gold Vermeil?
Gold Vermeil (pronounced vur-MAY) refers to genuine .925 sterling silver that has been skillfully coated with a thick layer of 14k-24k gold.
- Gold jewelry is more popular than ever, and gold vermeil offers a cost-effective alternative for those on a budget.
- Compared to solid gold (expensive), flash gold plate (low quality), and gold-filled items (made with cheap brass), gold vermeil stands out as a superior option.
- Gold Vermeil is perfect for individuals with metal allergies, thanks to its durable gold thickness and sterling silver base.
- Jewelry aficionados often consider gold vermeil an “insider’s secret” due to its use of premium materials (silver and gold) at a more affordable designer jewelry price.
- With top jewelry designers embracing this trend, now is the ideal time to add vermeil pieces to your collection.
Keyword(s): vermeil
Is it time for a new piece of jewelry?
Celebrate a recent promotion, a special occasion, or just because!
If you’re looking to commemorate a special moment and still stick to a budget, consider adding a piece (or two) of gold vermeil to your jewelry collection!
Premium Quality Meets Sensible Pricing
Gold vermeil is quickly gaining favor among top designers globally.
It enables them to combine pure metals to create high-quality, elegant jewelry that mimics the appearance of expensive pieces but is fairly priced for both consumers and designers. A win-win situation.
Here’s a wonderful example: An Italian-made adjustable chain costs $29.99 in silver, yet the same chain in solid gold would cost nearly $350. In gold vermeil, it’s only $39.99—a fraction of the price.
It’s top-tier jewelry without the exorbitant costs associated with solid gold pieces.
A Quick Recap: What Is Gold Vermeil?
Vermeil (vur-MAY) is a specific type of high-quality gold coating.
Essentially, it combines a thick layer of gold with fine sterling silver.
It truly offers the best of both worlds—exclusivity and quality of designer jewelry with affordable prices.
Many fashion-savvy individuals use vermeil jewelry to enrich their collections. Its balanced cost and quality give confidence in both materials and craftsmanship while offering the look and feel of pricier collections. Because of its popularity in designer circles, gold vermeil has become a well-held secret in the designer jewelry world.
A great question. There’s an abundance of gold-plated and gold-filled jewelry out there, but significant differences exist in quality and long-term value, crucial when adding to your collection.
Low Quality – Gold-Plated:
- Uses inferior base metals like steel or brass
- Quickly dipped in gold
- Thin gold layer wears off easily
- Can cause metal allergies
Moderate Quality – Gold-Filled:
- Base made of brass or copper
- Outer layer made of 10+ karat gold sheets
- More durable than gold-plated
- Still may cause metal allergies
Top Quality – Gold Vermeil:
- Base of high-quality sterling silver
- Covered with a thick layer of at least 10k gold
- Often uses 14k-24k gold
- Industry-standard gold thickness of at least 2.5 microns
What Does Vermeil Look Like?
Great question!
We have curated a vermeil collection featuring our favorites, frequently updated with the newest designs from Milan and Vicenza runways.
Note: Many designer pieces maintain a “silver look” by using platinum vermeil or rhodium (platinum family) vermeil.
Where Did It Originate?
The finest vermeil finishes come from Italy, where artisans have refined the craft, passing it down through generations. Quality control is rigorous to protect Italy’s stellar reputation in jewelry production.
Vermeil jewelry imported from Italy must comply with U.S. regulations, ensuring multiple layers of quality control in every authentic piece.
How Durable Is It?
Durability depends on karat and coverage.
The higher the karat, the more durable the piece. While 24 karat gold is pure, jewelry often relies on alloys for enhanced durability.
Solid gold is quite soft.
For jewelry, which must be durable, gold is often combined with other metals to form an alloy.
Like all fine jewelry, the durability of vermeil depends on its gold purity. For the best durability in plated jewelry, look for 18k or 24k gold plating.
Thickness is also crucial; the thicker the plating, the longer it lasts.
Focus on the quality of the core alloy. Genuine vermeil consistently uses sterling silver as its core.
Micron plating plays a crucial role.
Micron plating denotes the thickness of gold. The minimum for measurable plating is 1 micron, but for vermeil, it should be at least 2.5 microns.
What Should I Look For When Purchasing?
When purchasing any item, the price is important, but the quality is just as crucial.
Take the time to find a reputable manufacturer and consider quality when comparing prices. Generally, if a vermeil jewelry piece is priced similarly to a sterling silver piece or an unplated gold piece, it’s likely not genuine vermeil.
This often comes down to “getting what you pay for.”
This type of jewelry tends to be more expensive than gold-filled or gold-plated jewelry but less costly than solid gold jewelry, and:
- There is no risk of an allergic reaction to an unknown core metal since all core metals in vermeil are either sterling or pure silver.
- Typically, a higher grade of gold is used.
- It is more durable, requiring a minimum of 2.5 microns of gold, whereas much gold plating consists of a thin layer that often wears off.
- Artists can mold it into unique designs.
To ensure you’re purchasing authentic vermeil and not gold-plated pieces, examine the coloration and weight.
Vermeil gold jewelry is typically available in 14 karats (minimum), 18 karats, or 24 karat yellow gold, and also in rose gold.
Cheaper gold-plated pieces are usually around 10 karats.
While gold-plated jewelry has a known marking system (GP, HGP, RGP, HGE, or GEP), vermeil does not.
Look for a stamp indicating standard silver purity. For example, a stamp showing 925 means 92.5% silver, indicating the core metal is a 92.5% silver alloy.
How Do I Care for Vermeil?
Cleaning gold vermeil jewelry is straightforward. As with any jewelry, you should keep it free from dust, makeup, aerosols, and pollution. It’s best to apply any perfume or makeup before putting on the jewelry.
When not being worn, store your jewelry in the box or bag it came in, away from heat sources and any heavy objects. This type of jewelry should be kept in an airtight bag or box.
Remove your jewelry before jumping in a pool or hot tub to prevent discoloration.
To clean your gold vermeil jewelry, gently rinse it in a bath of warm water and mild dish soap (Dawn dish soap is recommended). Rinse and pat it dry.
Final Thoughts
Buying a piece of jewelry is a special occasion—whether it’s for your birthday, a raise, or simply to own something beautiful.
Vermeil offers quality assurance, adhering to production regulations and standards. The design options are endless in terms of styles, colors, and finishes.
To explore a broad collection of vermeil jewelry in various designs, colors, and prices, check out Roma’s collection of vermeil jewelry.
And don’t forget, when showing off your new piece to friends, it’s pronounced “vur-MAY.”
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
Q: Is Gold Vermeil Good Quality?
A: Gold vermeil is made using high-quality metals (sterling silver and gold), making it superior in quality compared to gold-plated or gold-filled jewelry, which may contain cheaper base metals like brass.
Q: How Long Will Gold Vermeil Last?
A: Thanks to the use of noble metals and high-quality manufacturing processes, gold vermeil is much more durable than gold-filled or flash gold-plated jewelry. With proper care, it can last for years and even compete with the longevity of solid gold pieces.
Q: Is Gold Vermeil Better than Gold Plated?
A: The key difference between gold vermeil and gold-plated jewelry is the thickness of the gold layer. Additionally, the base metal in gold vermeil jewelry is solid sterling silver, unlike the cheaper brass or other base metals used for gold-plated or even gold-filled jewelry.
Q: Can Gold Vermeil Get Wet?
A: Yes, gold vermeil can get wet and is even suitable for showering. However, it’s advisable to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals or chlorine, which can discolor even solid gold jewelry (especially 14k gold).
Q: How do You Clean Gold Vermeil?
A: When your vermeil jewelry gets dirty with oils, dirt, or dust, wash it gently with warm water and mild liquid soap (Dawn dish soap is recommended). Submerge the piece in the soapy water, use your fingers or a light brush to remove dirt, then rinse it thoroughly with water and gently pat it dry.
Q: Is Gold Vermeil the Same as Solid 14K Gold or 18K Gold?
A: No, vermeil consists of a thick gold layer over a solid sterling silver base.
Q: Are Gold Vermeil and Gold Filled the Same Thing?
A: No, they are similar but not the same. Gold vermeil has a solid sterling silver base, while gold-filled jewelry consists of a gold layer over an inexpensive base metal like brass.
Q: Can You Wear Gold Vermeil Every Day?
A: Yes, you can. Gold vermeil, with its thick gold layer and sterling silver base, is suitable for everyday wear, maintaining its luster better than cheap plated or flash-plated jewelry.
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