Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil is a type of jewelry that is made by plating sterling silver with a thick layer of gold:

Definition
The term "vermeil" is legally regulated and refers to jewelry that meets specific conditions. In the United States, gold vermeil must meet the following requirements:
  • Be made from sterling silver, an alloy of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other materials
  • Have a gold plating of at least 10 karats (41.7% gold content)
  • Have a gold plating that is at least 2.5 microns thick

Benefits
Gold vermeil is a more affordable alternative to solid gold jewelry, but it has the look, feel, and often the weight of a solid gold piece. It's also more durable than gold plating because of the thicker layer of gold.



Care
Vermeil gold has a shiny finish and is less prone to fading or tarnishing than regular gold plating. Vermeil gold jewelry can still be worn when bathing, swimming or going to the beach. However, for best protection, you should limit these activities and avoid direct contact with strong cleaning chemicals.