Gold-colored jewelry is not all the same. Whether solid gold, gold vermeil, or gold-plated – the difference lies beneath the surface and becomes especially apparent after a few months of wear.
The three options compared
| Solid gold | Gold vermeil | Gold-plated | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composition | Solid gold alloy | Thick layer of gold over 925 sterling silver | Thin layer of gold over base metal (e.g. brass) |
| Durability | Lifetime | Many years with proper care | Months to a few years |
| Skin compatibility | Very good | Good – silver is underneath | Depends on the base metal |
| Price | High | Medium | Affordable |
Solid gold: what karat means
- 24 karat: 99.9% gold – very soft and rarely used for jewelry.
- 18 karat (750): 75% gold – rich color and high quality.
- 14 karat (585): 58.5% gold – durable and suitable for everyday wear.
Gold vermeil: the best of both worlds
Vermeil means: The core is made of 925 sterling silver, covered with a layer of gold significantly thicker than that on standard gold-plated jewelry (at least 2.5 micrometers by US standards). The result looks like gold, is gentle on the skin, and lasts much longer than thinly gold-plated brass.
Gold-plated: affordable for trends
Gold-plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold over a base metal. It is ideal for trend pieces, but wears away more quickly due to water, perfume, and friction.
What is right for you?
- Solid gold: For heirlooms, wedding rings, and jewelry you never take off.
- Gold vermeil: For favorite pieces you wear often – with the shine of real gold at a fair price.
- Gold-plated: For trends and special occasions when price is the main consideration.
Care
Take off gold vermeil and gold-plated jewelry before showering, swimming, or exercising, put it on after applying perfume, and store it separately. You can find tips on Caring for gold vermeil and Cleaning gold jewelry properly.
Our gold vermeil pieces
For us, the material is important for every product. Some examples of gold vermeil pieces are the Pearl hoops in 24K gold vermeil, the Large 13 mm pearl stud earrings, the Baroque pearl drop earrings, and the Double-strand baroque pearl bracelet. Whether silver or gold is better for you can be found on Silver or gold.