Answering Commonly Asked Questions on Gold Vermeil Jewellery

by Jennifer Wise Executive

Hey jewellery lovers, we know you are full of appreciation for captivating metals used in the creation of beautiful and your favourite jewellery pieces. Gold is one of the metals that remain timeless and tops the list of all jewellery lovers.

While purchasing gold jewellery, you might have come across labels like “vermeil”, “gold vermeil”, “14k vermeil”, “18k vermeil”, and more. You may wonder what it means; thus, this article includes answers to some of the most frequently asked questions on gold vermeil.

What is the Meaning of Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil refers to sterling silver jewellery with a layer of gold. It looks similar to that of premium-quality gold jewellery since real gold is used in the electroplating process. However, to be called “vermeil”, the jeweller should meet the below-mentioned criteria.

The base should be sterling silver (an alloy containing 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, generally copper), as it is used in several premium quality jewellery pieces.
The electroplated layer of gold should at least be 10 karats (10k), meaning that the gold content stands at 41.7%.
The minimum thickness of the gold plating must be 2.5 microns (a micron refers to 1/1000th of a millimetre).

Are Vermeil and Gold-Plated Jewellery the Same?

No, the major differences between gold-plated and gold vermeil jewellery are the metal base and gold-plating thickness. The gold-plated jewellery does not need a sterling silver base and has a plating thickness of 0.5 microns, which is five times less than gold vermeil. Instead, the base is generally brass or copper, and since the gold layer is very thin, the plating wears off easily.

On the contrary, gold vermeil jewellery has sterling silver as its base and a minimum plating thickness of 2.5 microns. The build of gold vermeil jewellery makes it superior to that of plated jewellery in terms of quality, value, and longevity.

What do You Mean by the Terms 14k and 18k Gold Vermeil?

Both indicate the purity and composition of gold electroplated on the silver base. 14k gold consists of 58.3% pure gold and 41.7% other metals, whereas 18k gold is composed of 75% pure gold and 15% alloy.

Jewellery makers prefer using 14k and 18k for the gold plating. It is because both of them are more durable and have less yellow and orange tones in contrast to pure gold, which is very malleable and features strong tones of yellow and orange, giving it a brassy appeal.

Is Gold Vermeil Hypoallergenic?

Gold vermeil may or may not be hypoallergenic, depending on its composition. Nickel is the primary metal responsible for allergic reactions, which can be found in the gold plating layer of the jewellery in case it is not from a trusted manufacturer or online portal.

Therefore, choose a reputable manufacturer or portal that sells nickel-free gold vermeil jewellery.

The product information mentioned in this article is both accurate and up-to-date, some information may be subject to change.