Gold Vermeil 101

We’ve been getting a ton of questions about our new material offerings, so here is a short FAQ about gold vermeil jewelry. Vermeil (pronounced 'ver-may') is a centuries-old metal that has become favored among top jewelry designers worldwide for its high quality, yet still budget-friendly price tag. Vermeil jewelry is the perfect choice if you love gold but want something more accessible in terms of cost. So after this short description, you might still be left wondering “is gold vermeil for me?” Worry not, because we’ve outlined everything you need to know below.

Will my gold vermeil jewelry tarnish?

Gold vermeil is the highest quality and longest-lasting option aside from solid gold. With typical use and wear, it won't tarnish very much because of the thickness of gold covering it. Gold vermeil suits people who are looking for something better than sterling silver without paying top dollar prices.

Is gold vermeil real Gold?

Gold Vermeil is Sterling Silver covered in a thick layer of Gold which looks exactly like real Gold. It is less expensive than pure Gold, so a much-preferred option for everyday jewelry. Gold Vermeil is different from Gold plated jewelry. In vermeil, the base metal is always Sterling Silver which is heavily plated with solid Gold. For the jewelry to be considered vermeil the gold coating needs to be at least 2.5 microns thick, which makes the piece heavily plated and a rich Gold color. 

Is gold vermeil the same as gold plated?

Gold vermeil is a type of gold-plated jewelry. However, it does not share all the same qualities as gold plating. To know about both forms, one must first understand what gold plating entails. In layman's terms, gold plating refers to any form of jewelry that has been coated in gold - but there isn't any common agreed-upon thickness level for how much metal coating constitutes gold. On the contrary, Gold Vermeil jewelry has an official legal definition under US law. Gold vermeil typically lasts longer and is less likely to fade or tarnish; whereas gold plated jewelry, which does not have an industry standard for thickness, is known to tarnish and has a shorter life span.