What Is Gold Vermeil?

There is a lot of terminology in the jewellery world, from different settings and stones to all the different materials and metals. And if you are still quite new to it all, it can be hard to know what you are looking at and whether a particular piece, although pretty, is right for you and the way you want to wear it.

One type of jewellery you might come across is gold vermeil, but what is gold vermeil? What is the difference between gold vermeil and solid gold? And is gold vermeil something you can wear every day? We’ve created this guide to answer all those questions and more, so you can feel more confident choosing jewellery that looks right, wears well and suits what you need from it.

 

Gold Vermeil at a Glance

• Gold vermeil is jewellery made with a sterling silver base and a layer of real gold over the top.
• It is not the same as solid gold, because the piece is not gold all the way through.
• Gold vermeil is usually considered a higher-quality option than standard gold-plated jewellery because it uses sterling silver underneath.
• 18ct gold vermeil has a warmer, richer gold finish because the outer layer is made with 18ct gold.
• Gold vermeil can be worn often, but it needs a little care and should be kept away from water, perfume, lotions and harsh cleaning products.

What Is Gold Vermeil?

Gold vermeil is a type of jewellery made with sterling silver and finished with a layer of gold. So, rather than being made from a cheaper base metal, the piece underneath is silver, with real gold added over the top to give it that classic warm golden look.

This means gold vermeil is not solid gold all the way through, but the gold you can see on the outside is real gold, so it gives you the look of gold jewellery, while still using sterling silver at its core. This is one of the reasons it is often seen as a higher-quality choice than standard gold-plated jewellery.

You’ll often see gold vermeil used for necklaces, bracelets, charms, and earrings, and is often chosen by those that want a gold finish without having to pay the high prices of solid gold. It looks warm, polished and easy to wear, but as with any plated finish, it does need to be looked after properly to help it stay at its best.

How Do You Pronounce Vermeil?

Vermeil is not the most obvious jewellery word to say out loud, so no judgement if you have been reading it in your head a few different ways. It is usually pronounced “ver-may”, rhyming with “day”, making the “l” silent. It makes a lot more sense once you know it comes from a French word!

Is Gold Vermeil Real Gold?

Yes, gold vermeil does use real gold, but it is not solid gold all the way through. The gold is the outer layer, applied over a sterling silver base, so the part you see and wear has a real gold finish while the inside of the piece is silver. This is why gold vermeil can give you the look of gold jewellery without the same price as a solid gold piece.

What Is Gold Vermeil Made From?

Gold vermeil is made from two main parts: sterling silver underneath and gold on the outside. That is what separates it from a lot of standard gold-plated jewellery, where the base metal can be something cheaper like brass, copper or stainless steel.

Sterling Silver Base

For a piece of jewellery to be described as gold vermeil, it needs to have a sterling silver base. You may also see this called 925 sterling silver, which means the metal is made from 92.5% pure silver. Using a precious metal like sterling silver beneath the gold plating offers several benefits including better durability, a higher-quality feel and a reduced risk of skin irritation compared to lower-cost base metals.

Gold Layer

The gold layer is what gives gold vermeil jewellery its warm gold finish. In our jewellery, we use 18ct gold vermeil and 18ct rose gold vermeil, which means the sterling silver is finished with a layer of 18ct gold or 18ct rose gold. So while the whole piece is not solid gold, the gold colour you see on the outside comes from real gold.

Gold Vermeil vs Gold-Plated Jewellery

Gold vermeil and gold-plated jewellery are easy to mix up because, from the outside, they can both look like gold, but the difference is what sits underneath. With gold vermeil, you have sterling silver under the gold layer while with gold-plated jewellery, the base can be a cheaper metal instead, which is usually why one piece may cost more and have better wear than the other.

Is Gold Vermeil Better Than Gold-Plated?

Gold vermeil is usually considered the better choice if you want jewellery that feels more premium, mainly because of what sits underneath the gold. Instead of the gold layer being placed over a cheaper metal like brass, copper or stainless steel, gold vermeil has sterling silver beneath it, so you are still getting a precious metal at the centre of the piece.

That does mean gold vermeil will usually cost more than standard gold-plated jewellery, but there is a reason for that difference. Gold-plated jewellery can still be a good option for something affordable or occasional, but if you are choosing a piece you want to wear often, give as a gift or personalise, then gold vermeil usually becomes the best choice.

Gold Vermeil vs Solid Gold

The difference between gold vermeil and solid gold is exactly what it sounds like. Solid gold is gold throughout the whole piece, while gold vermeil has sterling silver underneath with a layer of gold on the outside. So even though gold vermeil gives you that warm gold look, it is not the same as buying a piece made entirely from gold.

Solid gold is usually the more expensive option and, because it is gold all the way through, it is generally the longest-lasting too. Gold vermeil gives you another option if you love the look of gold jewellery but want something more accessible.

Gold Vermeil vs 18ct PVD Gold

8ct PVD gold can look similar to gold vermeil at first, but it is made differently and comes with its own benefits. It delivers a gold-coloured finish applied using a process called Physical Vapour Deposition which in simple terms, involves the jewellery being placed inside a vacuum chamber, where the coating is bonded to the surface of the piece. This creates a harder-wearing finish than many traditional plated options.

So while gold vermeil is made with sterling silver and a layer of real gold over the top, 18ct PVD gold is more about durability and how strongly that finish bonds to the jewellery. Gold vermeil is a nice choice for pieces you wear often but still take off before showering, swimming, exercising or applying perfume. Meanwhile, 18ct PVD gold is better suited to pieces you want to keep on more of the time.

That can make 18ct PVD gold a strong choice for memorial jewellery, especially when the piece holds something precious like ashes, a fingerprint, handwriting or a photograph. These are not always pieces people want to keep taking on and off, so the finish needs to feel practical as well as special, without moving into the higher price of solid gold. You can read more about what is 18ct PVD gold in our other guide.

Does Gold Vermeil Last?

Gold vermeil can last well, but it does need looking after because the gold sits on the surface of the jewellery rather than running all the way through it. With the right care, it can be a lovely option for pieces you wear regularly, especially if you want the look of gold with sterling silver underneath. But it is still a coated finish, so the way you wear it, store it and clean it will make a big difference to how it looks over time.

The honest answer is that gold vermeil is not as hard-wearing as solid gold, and it is not designed to be treated in the same way. If you wear it in the shower, sleep in it every night, spray perfume over it or wear it to the gym, the finish is likely to dull or wear much faster. If you want jewellery you can keep on most of the time without thinking about it as much, 18ct PVD gold jewellery may be a better fit, as it is still more accessible than solid gold but made in a different way for a harder-wearing finish.

Can Gold Vermeil Tarnish or Fade?

Gold vermeil can dull, tarnish or fade over time, especially if it comes into regular contact with water, perfume, lotions, sweat or cleaning products. This does not mean the jewellery is poor quality; it is just the nature of a gold finish layered over another metal. But simply using a soft cloth to clean it and removing the piece before showering, swimming or exercising can keep it looking new for years.

Can You Wear Gold Vermeil Every Day?

You can wear gold vermeil often, but it is best to treat it as jewellery you put on for the day rather than jewellery you never take off. It is a good choice for necklaces, bracelets, earrings and charms you want to wear regularly, as long as you remove them before anything that could damage the finish. If you want a piece you can keep on almost all the time, 18ct PVD gold or solid gold may be worth considering instead.

How To Care For Gold Vermeil Jewellery

Gold vermeil doesn’t need to be handled in a way that’s too complicated, but we do suggest you are a little mindful about how and when you wear it. Because the gold sits on the surface, the easiest way to help it last is to keep it away from the things that can dull or wear the finish faster. You can find more detailed advice in our jewellery care guide, but these are the main things to remember:

• Take gold vermeil jewellery off before showering, bathing or swimming, as water can affect the finish over time.
• Try not to wear it to the gym or during exercise, as sweat can cause the gold layer to dull more quickly.
• Put your jewellery on after perfume, lotions, sun cream and makeup have had time to settle, rather than spraying or applying products directly over it.
• Avoid cleaning products and chemicals while wearing gold vermeil, especially anything harsh or abrasive.
• Store each piece separately in a pouch, box or soft-lined jewellery case so it does not rub against other jewellery.
• Clean it with a soft, dry cloth after wearing to remove any oils or residue from the day.

Is Gold Vermeil Good For Sensitive Skin?

Gold vermeil is generally considered hypoallergenic because it has a 925 sterling silver base with a layer of real gold over the top. Both sterling silver and solid gold of 10ct or higher are usually seen as suitable choices for sensitive skin, especially compared to cheaper gold-plated jewellery that may have brass, copper or another base metal underneath.

That said, everyone’s skin is different, so no jewellery can be guaranteed for every person. If you know your skin reacts easily, it is always worth checking what the piece is made from before buying and avoiding jewellery where the base metal is unclear.

What Gold Do We Use In Our Jewellery?

Across our jewellery, you’ll see a few different gold finishes depending on the style of the piece and how it is designed to be worn. Some pieces are made using 18ct gold vermeil or 18ct rose gold vermeil, while others use 18ct PVD gold for a harder-wearing finish.

18ct Gold Vermeil Jewellery

Our 18ct gold vermeil jewellery has a 925 sterling silver base finished with a layer of 18ct gold, giving the piece that warm yellow gold colour while still keeping sterling silver underneath. You’ll often see this finish used across our gold vermeil necklaces, bracelets, charms and memorial jewellery where customers want the look of gold but at a more accessible price.

18ct Rose Gold Vermeil Jewellery

18ct rose gold vermeil is made in a similar way, but with a softer and warmer rose-toned finish instead of yellow gold. It still has sterling silver at its core, but the colour has a warmer pink tone that many people prefer for personalised jewellery, especially pieces engraved with names, dates, handwriting or fingerprints.

18ct PVD Gold Jewellery

Some of our jewellery is made using 18ct PVD gold because it offers a more hard-wearing finish for pieces designed to be worn more regularly. This can make it a good choice for memorial jewellery, where the piece may hold ashes, a photo, a fingerprint or handwriting, and needs to feel practical for everyday life without moving into the price of solid gold.

Conclusion: What is Gold Vermeil?

If you’ve seen gold vermeil listed on a piece of jewellery and wondered what you’re paying for, the main thing to know is that it gives you real gold on the outside with sterling silver underneath. It’s not as valuable as solid gold, but it’s also not as expensive either. It’s a great middle ground for those who want a precious metal base and a warm gold finish, without moving into the price of solid gold.

We choose materials like this because we never want something as personal as memorial jewellery to feel out of reach. Everyone deserves a way to hold the people they love close, and gold vermeil gives us a way to create pieces that feel special and honour the memories they are made to carry.

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