Love the look of gold jewellery but not necessarily the price tag of solid gold? Gold vermeil offers a beautiful middle ground, combining a layer of real gold with a sterling silver base.
But what actually is gold vermeil, and is it better than standard gold-plated jewellery?
At Rose & Wolf, our gold vermeil jewellery is made with 2.5 microns of 14ct gold over recycled 925 sterling silver. We choose vermeil because it gives you a substantial gold layer with sterling silver underneath, rather than the base metals often used in conventional gold-plated jewellery.
What is gold vermeil?
Gold vermeil is jewellery made using sterling silver coated with a layer of real gold.
That sterling silver base is an important distinction. Standard gold-plated jewellery can be made by applying gold over metals such as brass or other base-metal alloys, whereas vermeil uses silver underneath.
The thickness of the gold layer can vary between pieces and brands, so it’s always worth checking the specifications of the jewellery you’re buying.
Our gold vermeil pieces have 2.5 microns of 14ct gold over recycled 925 sterling silver, and we’ll always tell you exactly what your jewellery is made from.
Is gold vermeil real gold?
Yes. The outer layer of gold vermeil jewellery is real gold.
It isn’t the same as solid gold, because the gold doesn’t run all the way through the piece. Instead, a layer of gold is applied over sterling silver.
This gives you the warm look of gold jewellery while keeping the price considerably more accessible than an equivalent piece made from solid gold.
Gold vermeil vs gold plated: what’s the difference?
Gold vermeil and gold-plated jewellery can look very similar when they’re new, but what’s underneath the surface can be very different.
Gold vermeil uses sterling silver as its base, whereas standard gold-plated jewellery can use brass or other base metals.
The thickness of the gold layer matters too. Gold plating varies considerably between brands and products. Generally, a more substantial layer of gold provides more material to wear through before the metal underneath becomes exposed.
Our Rose & Wolf vermeil has a 2.5-micron layer of 14ct gold, which is why we prefer it to the thin gold plating commonly found on fashion jewellery.
Gold vermeil vs gold plated at a glance
|
|
Rose & Wolf Gold Vermeil |
Standard Gold-Plated Jewellery |
|
Gold |
14ct real gold |
Real gold, carat varies |
|
Gold layer |
2.5 microns |
Thickness varies |
|
Base metal |
Recycled 925 sterling silver |
Can be brass or other metals |
|
Nickel-free |
Yes |
Depends on the piece |
|
Wear |
Substantial gold layer designed for longer wear |
Depends on plating thickness |
|
If the gold wears |
Sterling silver underneath |
Depends on the base metal |
Does gold vermeil last longer than gold plated jewellery?
A well-made gold vermeil piece with a substantial gold layer can last longer than thinly gold-plated jewellery.
Our vermeil has a 2.5-micron gold layer, giving it a more substantial coating than very thin or flash-plated jewellery.
That doesn’t mean vermeil is permanent. It’s still plated jewellery, so the gold layer will gradually experience wear from friction, moisture, chemicals and everyday use.
How long it lasts also depends on the type of jewellery, how often you wear it and how you look after it. A necklace, for example, will experience different levels of friction from a ring or bracelet.
With the right care, you can help your gold vermeil jewellery stay looking its best for longer.
Is gold vermeil good for sensitive skin?
If you’re sensitive to certain metals, what’s underneath the gold is particularly important.
Some gold-plated jewellery uses base-metal alloys beneath its gold layer. As the plating gradually wears, your skin can eventually come into contact with those metals.
Our gold vermeil jewellery is nickel-free and uses 925 sterling silver underneath the gold, making it a good option for many people who are sensitive to jewellery containing nickel or certain base metals.
Everyone’s skin is different, however, so we wouldn’t describe any jewellery as guaranteed to be reaction-free for absolutely everyone.
Does gold vermeil tarnish or fade?
Gold vermeil can gradually change in appearance over time because it is plated rather than solid gold.
How quickly the finish wears depends on factors including friction, how often you wear the piece and exposure to water, perfume, skincare products and chemicals.
One advantage of vermeil is what sits underneath that gold layer. If the gold eventually begins to wear, there is sterling silver underneath rather than a conventional base-metal core.
Can you wear gold vermeil every day?
You can wear gold vermeil regularly, but a little extra care will help preserve its finish.
Try to put your jewellery on after perfume, moisturiser, hairspray and other beauty products have dried. We’d also recommend removing it before showering, swimming, exercising or sleeping to reduce unnecessary exposure to water, chemicals and friction.
After wearing your jewellery, gently wipe it with a soft, dry cloth and store it separately somewhere dry.
For more advice, read our Jewellery Care Guide.
Gold vermeil vs solid gold
Solid gold has one obvious advantage: because the gold runs throughout the piece, there’s no plated surface to eventually wear away.
It also comes at a considerably higher price.
Gold vermeil sits between standard gold-plated jewellery and solid gold. You get real gold on the outside and sterling silver underneath, without paying the price of a piece made entirely from solid gold.
For us, it’s a great balance between quality, wearability and price.
Why do we use 14ct gold vermeil at Rose & Wolf?
We wanted our gold jewellery to offer more than simply a gold-coloured surface.
Our gold vermeil pieces are made using:
● 2.5 microns of 14ct gold
● Recycled 925 sterling silver
● Nickel-free materials
We love 14ct gold for its wearable gold tone, while the sterling silver base means you’re getting precious metal underneath the gold too.
It’s why we’ve chosen gold vermeil over conventional gold plating for our gold jewellery.
Is gold vermeil worth it?
If you love gold jewellery but don’t want to invest in solid gold, we think a well-made gold vermeil piece is a great option.
Compared with standard gold-plated jewellery, vermeil gives you the benefit of a sterling silver base, and a substantial gold layer can offer better longevity than thin plating.
The most important thing is to look beyond the word gold and check what you’re actually buying. Look for the base metal, gold carat and thickness of the gold layer.
With Rose & Wolf, you’ll always know: 2.5 microns of 14ct gold over recycled 925 sterling silver, and nickel-free.