If you wear jewellery, you may not realise Gold Plated Jewellery and Gold Vermeil Jewellery have some big differences. At a glance, they can look alike, but there's a world of difference between the two in terms of quality.

In this article, we're going to have a look at the differences between Gold Vermeil and Gold Plated jewellery, the features of both types, and how to decide which jewellery is perfect for you. We'll also answer some of our most commonly asked questions and give you all the information you need to make the best choice for you.

 

What is Gold Plated Jewellery?

When a piece of jewellery is described as gold plated, it means there is just a thin layer of gold over the top of a different core metal. The appeal of gold plated jewellery is it allows consumers to buy gold jewellery at an affordable price compared to solid gold jewellery or gold-filled pieces.

Most gold plated pieces will be made from a cheaper metal with the gold plating placed over the top. This layer of gold should be equal to or greater than 0.5 microns, though this isn't regulated, and the actual amount of gold can vary wildly. This lack of consistency can make it difficult to know what you're buying when you purchase a gold plated piece.

 

Features of Gold Plating

• The gold surface mimics the look of solid gold jewellery without the price tag.
• Good for when you need something affordable but not long-lasting.
• Good for casual fashion wear.
• More likely to tarnish due to the thinner layer.
• Can leave green marks on your fingers. This isn't an allergy symptom and can happen to anyone.

What is Gold Vermeil Jewellery?

Gold Vermeil Jewellery, pronounced ver-may, sometimes known as 'silver gilt', is jewellery made from high-quality sterling silver plated with a 2.5 micron layer of gold. Unlike Gold plated pieces, vermeil gold can only be made with precious metals. Because of its thick plating, Vermeil tends to be slightly more expensive than Gold plated pieces, but also much more durable. In fact, Vermeil can last 500% longer than the average gold plated piece so it's money well invested. Most vermeil jewellery is made by electroplating the silver with gold, a procedure that uses an electrical current to bind the two metals together.

Features of Gold Vermeil

• Uses 925 Sterling Silver.
• Higher gold karat weight than Gold plated (and higher gold content)
• Hypoallergenic - no nasties to mess with your skin.
• Thick layers of gold compared to Gold plated. Must be at least 2.5 microns thick.
• Looks like pure gold to the naked eye.
• A better investment than gold plated.
• More affordable than solid gold.
• Tarnish resistant.

Key Differences: Gold Plated vs Gold Vermeil

Core Metal Composition

One of the key differences between Vermeil and Gold Plated is the core metals used. Gold Plated Jewellery uses cheap materials like copper, nickel and brass. For those with allergies, the thin layer of gold on these pieces may not be enough to prevent outbreaks.

At The Ari Edit, our Vermeil jewellery uses 925 Sterling Silver plated with 14k gold. These ethically sourced materials are the reason our high-quality jewellery is hypoallergenic, meaning you don't have to worry about those allergies cramping your style.

Thickness

Plating thickness is one of the major differences between plated and vermeil gold. In Gold Plated jewellery, the gold cover is at 0.5 least microns thick, while in Vermeil pieces, the 14k Gold layer needs to be at least 2.5 microns thick. This thicker layer of gold helps with durability and also means your piece will contain more gold.

 

Factors to consider when choosing between Gold Plated and Gold Vermeil

Cost

Gold Vermeil costs more than Gold Plated but much less than a solid gold piece. While the initial costs are higher, the longer lifespan of Gold Vermeil jewellery makes it a better investment. Vermeil has a heavy gold plating that helps it resist wear and tear.

Cleaning

Routine Care

For routine care, the best method for cleaning your vermeil jewellery is to keep it simple. Rub the jewellery with a soft cloth or microfibre cloth. Avoid using jewellery polishing cloth or silver cloth unless they specifically say they're untreated. Make sure your cloth is clean, soft and non-abrasive.

Though this doesn't sound like much, you'll be surprised how quickly this will return that original shine and spark to your piece.

Be extra careful when cleaning chains, pearls or gemstones. It's easy to underestimate our strength, especially on something delicate. Body sweats and body oils can have an impact on gold plating so try rubbing down your jewellery regularly.

 

Deep Cleaning

For deep cleaning, use a small dash of dishwashing liquid and lukewarm water (not hot). Wet a soft, lint-free cloth with your soap and water mix and gently rub your jewellery clean.

Don't use a brush on any plated jewellery, no matter how soft the bristles are, as this might be too abrasive to the gold plating.

After you're done with the soap water, rinse your piece off by wetting another cloth with plain water. After this, gently pat dry and you're done.

 For more details, click here to read our complete care guide.

Durability

Due to the added thickness gold vermeil is far more durable than gold plated. For everyday wear, Gold Vermeil is the better choice due to the thickness of the gold layer, and the use of only precious metals. With proper care, your vermeil piece can last for years, while gold plated aren't going to last no matter how well you look after them.

 

Allergies

If you've got allergies to lower base metals like brass, copper or nickel, you're better off choosing vermeil jewellery over Gold Plated. The gold layer on plated jewellery is too thin to guarantee you won't come in contact with the base metal, and if there is any wear, you may have some allergic reactions.

While gold filled jewellery is a safer choice than gold plated, it still may contain brass as a base metal, meaning if you're deciding between vermeil and gold filled, Vermeil is the safer option.

Even if you don't have allergies, copper can cause green marks on your skin, which not only look unpleasant but can be a pain to remove. This is a common problem with gold plated jewellery and pieces with a gold fill.

Is Gold Plated or Gold Vermeil Better? Which Should I Choose?

Gold Vermeil Jewellery uses only precious metals making it higher quality jewellery compared to Gold plated. Unlike gold plated, vermeil is durable and contains no cheap metals like nickel, making it a safe choice for those with allergies.

Looking to buy jewellery? Here at the Ari Edit, we sell high-quality jewellery at affordable prices with a wide range of gold vermeil pieces. Our jewellery is built from sustainable, low impact material and is also vegan and cruelty free. We include free Australian Shipping with all purchases. Click here to explore our vermeil collection of timeless pieces.

FAQ

Does gold vermeil wear off?

No. If durable jewellery is what you're after, Vermeil is a great option. With regular use and wear, vermeil is second only to solid gold in terms of long-lasting options. Gold fades over time but this can be avoided through good maintenance if you wish to keep that shine.

Vermeil rarely tarnishes, but when it does, it's usually a result of being exposed to moisture or chemicals. If you notice a brown or dark spot, the good news is that it can usually be removed simply by giving it a quick clean (see above for routine care).

 

Does gold plated rust?

Gold itself won't rust, but depending on the base metal, it is technically possible, for a gold-plated piece of jewellery to rust. The thin layer on gold plated pieces means it won't be long before the gold begins to wear off, exposing the cheaper base metal to the elements.

Due to being made from sterling silver and 14k gold, The Ari Edit’s Vermeil jewellery won’t rust.

 

Can gold plating rub off?

This is much more likely an issue with gold plated items than with vermeil. This is because the layer of gold is often much thinner with gold plated jewellery.

Vermeil has a much thicker layer of gold and therefore won't rub off, making it great for everyday wear.

Most vermeil jewellery available now is created by electroplating the silver with gold, a chemical process that uses an electrical current to bind the two metals together

Does gold vermeil contain nickel?

All you jewellery wearers with sensitive skin rejoice! All our products are hypoallergenic and don't contain cheap materials like copper, nickel or brass.

How long will gold vermeil last?

A general rule of thumb is the better you look after your vermeil, the longer it'll last. With proper care, your vermeil jewellery will last 500% longer than gold plated jewellery!