What is Gold Vermeil?

Understanding Gold Vermeil

In the world of fine jewelry, gold vermeil is a special type of gold plating known for its quality, durability, and beauty. This guide aims to explain what gold vermeil is and compare it to other materials like white gold and standard gold plating.

What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") is a type of gold plating over 925 sterling silver. To be considered vermeil in the U.S., it must have a gold layer of at least 10 karats in purity and be at least 2.5 microns thick. At Amaryz, we use 14 karat gold for plating and ensure a 2.5 micron thickness for a rich and durable finish.

Gold Vermeil vs. Other Materials

	Gold Plated	Gold Vermeil	Solid Gold
Thickness of Gold	Gold plating is usually 0.01-0.1 microns thick	Gold plating must be at least 10k and 2.5 microns thick	Solid throughout
Regulation	Not regulated	Regulated	Regulated
Base Metal Used	Might be copper, brass, or sterling silver	Must be sterling silver	No base metal, pure gold
Typical Longevity With Regular Use	A few months	Several years	Lifetime and beyond
Cost to Produce	Cheaper to produce	More expensive to produce	Most expensive to produce
Type of Jewelry Used	Best for costume jewelry and fast fashion jewelry with more experimental designs and styles	Best used for jewelry styles you expect to wear long-term	Best for high-end jewelry and heirloom pieces, timeless designs

Gold vermeil offers the luxury of gold with the practicality of silver, making it more affordable. It's thicker and more durable than traditional gold plating, and the sterling silver base makes it hypoallergenic. Traditional gold plating is much thinner and less durable, and it can cause allergic reactions due to its base metals (brass, copper etc).

Solid gold is a great option as it holds value, and you can easily resell your gold jewelry at a pawn or jewelry shop. However, the price point of solid gold is high, and you might want to use gold vermeil for some of your jewelry to have more of it, to experiment with it, and explore new designs without investing thousands of dollars in each piece. High-quality gold vermeil jewelry looks and feels closest to solid gold jewelry.

Introducing White Gold Vermeil

White gold vermeil is sterling silver plated with rhodium, a durable metal known for its brilliant white shine. In fact, all white gold jewelry is plated with rhodium too as white gold without the plating we are all used to has a yellow hue. So when you look at white gold, you are actually seeing the layer of rhodium plating, which is exactly the same rhodium we apply on our silver.

You might've heard that white gold engagement rings require re-plating. Similarly, with white gold vermeil, you might need to replate it if you wear it every day for decades, but that won't happen soon.

Durability and Longevity of 2.5 Micron Plating

The thickness of 2.5 micron plating makes gold vermeil highly durable. With proper care, it can last a lifetime, similar to more expensive options like gold. Worn vermeil can be re-plated with rhodium (white gold color) or gold (yellow or rose gold color) at most local jewelry stores to enhance its durability.

Care Recommendations for Gold Vermeil Jewelry

Avoid harsh chemicals.
Clean gently with soft cloths.
Store separately to prevent oxidation.
Remove during activities that could damage it.
Prevent scratching by keeping items separate.

We at Amaryz love the quality, durability, and affordability of gold vermeil, which is why we choose it for our brand. We believe gold vermeil is the ultimate metal for jewelry.