Gold jewelry has been more in demand and widely popular in recent years. However, choosing the right product from a sea of options can be challenging. We have the complete guide to gold vermeil. Below, we’ll be highlighting all the benefits and drawbacks. In addition, we’ve compiled a list of information about various types.
What does vermeil mean?
The United States has a legal definition of vermeil jewelry. This is jewelry made of a sterling silver base layer and solid gold electroplated on the top. According to the federal trade commission these requirements must be met for any piece of jewelry marked gold vermeil:
- The base material must be sterling silver. Sterling silver is a metal mixture made from 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. This precious metal is both a standard and valuable material. You may see it represented in jewelry with the stamp 925.
- The layer with gold plating must be at a minimum of 10k gold, but it can be any combination of 14k and 24k gold.
- The gold plating must be at least 2.5 microns thick. A micron is 1/1000th millimeter.
What is gold vermeil?
A type of jewelry made from gold vermeil. Sterling Silver is the base metal, which means that your piece is only made of precious metals. The base metal is then covered with a layer of gold. Although it sounds similar to gold-plated jewelry, the layer of gold in gold vermeil jewelry is much thicker. As a result, it is more resistant to tarnish or wear than cheaply plated gold jewelry.
How do you pronounce vermeil?
Although we prefer to use the French pronunciation of “ver-may,” there are several ways to pronounce it.
Is vermeil real gold?
Yes! Vermeil is genuine gold at least 10k, is electroplated on top of a base layer made from Sterling Silver. You can choose solid or real gold in the following karats: 10k, 14k, 18k or 24k. However, most jewelry is made with 10k, 14k, or 18k Gold. Therefore, most gold vermeil jewelry is made from 14k or 18k.
Is vermeil waterproof?
No. Waterproof metals are not truly waterproof. Minerals and deposits from regular tap water can cause damage to your jewelry. It is okay to shower with vermeil, but it can cause damage. You should avoid showering with vermeil jewelry every day as the soaps, shampoos, and conditioners that you use can react with metals.
Your piece will not be permanently damaged if you shower with it occasionally. However, your jewelry can be permanently damaged or altered by the water in a hot tub, and the ocean.
Is vermeil hypoallergenic?
Vermeil jewelry has a great feature: it is hypoallergenic. This type of jewelry is hypoallergenic because it contains only precious metals.
Is vermeil gold good quality?
The highest quality jewelry you can purchase is gold vermeil, even if it isn’t made of solid gold. This is an excellent option for affordable gold jewelry. It is the most affordable and high-quality option for gold jewelry in the demi-fine category.
Is vermeil more effective than plated?
Vermeil jewelry is more expensive than gold plated. There is no industry standard for the thickness of gold in plated jewelry. This means that you might get a piece that has been flash-plated and will not last long. However, you can be sure that you’re getting high-quality jewelry made from gold vermeil.
Is vermeil equivalent to gold plated?
The process of gold vermeil is similar to that used for the plating of jewelry. They are, however, not the same. Gold vermeil is defined by US law as any jewelry that has been plated with gold. The durability of gold vermeil is higher, and it is less likely that it will tarnish or fade. There is no standard thickness for gold-plated jewelry, so that different companies can offer a wide variety of qualities.
Is vermeil possible to resize?
A jeweler can easily resize gold vermeil rings. However, the item’s appearance may change after you have resized it. In this case, you might need to have it re-plated. This is something that many jewelers can do, and it’s a simple process.
What is the difference between gold vermeil, gold plated, solid gold, and gold-filled?
Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish?
Yes, all gold pieces will tarnish over time. However, tarnishing doesn’t necessarily mean that the piece is damaged or destroyed. When metal alloys are mixed with oxygen, tarnishing occurs naturally. A polishing cloth can be used to remove tarnishing. In addition, professional jewelers can safely deep clean your jewelry in gold.
Gold vermeil does not turn your finger green. Cheap jewelry can cause a greenish hue on your fingers. This is because there is too much copper in the alloy. This can happen when copper is mixed with other metals. This reaction is not usually caused by gold vermeil jewelry, as solid gold doesn’t cause a green hue.
Gold vermeil vs. solid gold
Is vermeil genuine gold? Simply put, vermeil is real gold. Vermeil is a way to create high-quality, affordable gold jewelry. This is the electroplating of solid gold on top of a layer of Sterling Silver. It is the best option for high-quality gold jewelry, as it is less expensive than solid gold.
Gold vermeil vs. gold plated
As mentioned, vermeil is a thicker version of plated jewelry. What does it mean to be gold-plated? The industry standard for a layer of gold on vermeil is thicker than that of gold plated pieces. Plated pieces are often covered with a cheaper base metal.
Gold vermeil vs. Sterling Silver
All pieces of gold vermeil require a base layer made from Sterling Silver. This means that there is always a layer of Sterling Silver underneath. In addition, sterling silver pieces can be polished or shined back to their original luster.
Gold vermeil vs. gold-filled jewelry
A thick layer of gold is usually added to the top of gold-filled pieces. What does it mean to be gold-filled? Many Gold-filled pieces have a lower-end or cheaper base metal. It is difficult to distinguish between gold vermeil and Gold-filled pieces. The name “gold filled” can be confusing. It is not “filled with gold” but instead has a base metal made of cheaper alloys and solid gold plated on top. We vote for vermeil if it’s gold-filled vs. vermeil.
It is up to you to decide which type of gold jewelry would be best for you. Your taste, budget, and allergies or sensitivities should all be considered. For example, are you a fan of low-maintenance jewelry, or do you prefer more care? These questions will help you determine which type of gold jewelry is best for you.
