GOLD VERMEIL VS GOLD FILLED VS GOLD PLATED

GOLD VERMEIL JEWELRY

Gold vermeil is essentially gold plating on top of a sterling silver base. In comparison, gold plated jewelry is normally brass-based, or sometimes alloy, such as nickel or zinc-based, depending on the level of costume jewelry.

Compared to gold plated, the plus side of gold vermeil is that it is more hypoallergenic due to the sterling silver layer. Gold-plated jewelry tends to erode quickly if the gold plating layer is very minute, leaving your skin in contact with the base metal. Sterling silver is generally more hypoallergenic than alloy bases such as zinc and nickel.

GOLD PLATED JEWELRY

Gold plated jewelry contains 100x less gold than gold-filled jewelry, usually making up only 0.05% of a piece’s overall weight. It’s created by passing an electric current through a solution of water and “metal salt” to negatively charge the base metal. The positively charged ions of the gold are attracted to the base metal’s negative charge, forming a thin outer layer of gold. Because the coating is so thin, the gold can easily rub off and tarnish. This is especially true if the item is worn every day or exposed to any kinds of liquids or chemicals. Gold-plated jewelry can also cause allergic reactions for those with sensitive skin; however, it is substantially cheaper than even gold-filled pieces are.

GOLD FILLED JEWELRY

Gold-filled jewelry is composed of a solid layer of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal like stainless steel, brass, or copper. The process requires a great deal of heat and pressure, resulting in a durable piece of jewelry at a fraction of the price of solid gold jewelry. The gold outer layer is typically 14K or 12K and makes up 5% or more of the piece’s overall weight. Gold-filled jewelry can tarnish, but only under especially extraneous circumstances. If properly taken care of, gold-filled jewelry can last decades and won’t irritate sensitive skin. Ensure your gold-filled jewelry’s longevity by supplementing regular professional cleaning; make a habit of wiping your pieces with a soft cloth to remove any oils and makeup that, over time, can result in discoloration.

How long does gold vermeil last?

Notice that the plating is done for the gold vermeil jewel is a durable one and in most cases, the gold vermeil may last for years. However, if you decided to use it daily then it will start to wear off after 6 months. There’s no specific date though when you expect it to start wearing off. It will mostly depend on the care you give the metals.

How long does the gold-filled jewelry last?

It will mostly depend on the quality of the jewel we are using here. In most cases though if you choose the highest quality jewel then you can expect it to last up to 30years. It’s no wonder we have so many using it as rings. Here it doesn’t matter if you are going to wear it daily or just once it will last long.

How long does the gold-plated jewelry last?

On average, gold-plated jewelry can last about two years before the gold plating begins to tarnish and wear down. However, the length of time can be much shorter or longer depending on whether or not you decide to properly maintain your jewelry collection.

Pros and cons of gold vermeil jewelry

If you aren’t already a fan of gold vermeil, let’s look at a few pros and cons. No type of jewelry is perfect, and the same goes for vermeil.

Pros of gold vermeil jewelry

Durability

Gold vermeil is a durable type of jewelry. If you take care of it, vermeil can last decades. That’s because the layer of gold is much thicker than gold-plated jewelry.

When I was little, I saw my great-grandmother’s gold ring with deep scratches in it. Gold vermeil won’t stand generations of mistreatment like that, but if you’re looking for a ring to last a while, gold vermeil is a smart choice.

Value

Gold vermeil jewelry is worth slightly more than pure silver. That’s because, in addition to the sterling silver, it’s coated in a thin layer of real gold. But because it isn’t solid gold, it’s far more budget-friendly than fine jewelry.

Quality

Gold vermeil is of good quality when compared with cheaper jewelry. Since it’s made from precious metal, it has real value and is as durable as silver.

Doesn’t tarnish

On cheap gold-plated jewelry, the microscopic gold layer can wear away in a few months and start turning your finger green. Gold vermeil doesn’t tarnish or turn green because gold doesn’t tarnish! Vermeil lasts much longer than gold plate and has pure polishable silver underneath.

Cons of gold vermeil jewelry

Not waterproof

Like all gold jewelry, gold vermeil shouldn’t get wet. We don’t recommend wearing your gold vermeil jewelry in the shower, at the beach, or while washing dishes.

Not solid gold

You already knew this! Vermeil is high-quality and durable, but under the surface isn’t the solid gold it looks like.

Pros and cons of gold plated jewelry

Pros of gold plated jewelry

Affordable

Compared with gold-filled jewelry, gold-plated jewelry is affordable. As the outside of the piece is coated in gold, nobody will realize that it’s not 100% pure. Many people want to wear gold jewelry but hold it back because of the expensive price tag. With plating, anybody can wear gold jewelry without having to worry about the expense.

Durable

One of the biggest benefits of gold-plated jewelry is that it’s strong and durable. Providing that the piece is coated well, the jewelry will have a sturdy exterior while still having an attractive finish. To maximize durability, avoid going for the cheapest option. Generally, more expensive pieces have a thicker plating. Not only will this maximize durability, but it will also take longer for the coating to wear.

Adds Style

Just like a piece of pure gold jewelry, gold-plated jewelry can add style to your outfit. As plated jewelry is made from cheap metals such as copper or brass, you can look at the part without breaking the bank! Just like the real deal, gold-plated jewelry will bring style and sophistication to any outfit.

Wide Selection

Compared with filled gold, plated jewelry is available in a wider selection of styles. As almost any metal can be used in the center, jewelers have more options when it comes to the design. Additionally, it’s easy to put a pattern on the surface of plated jewelry. Patterned jewelry will add diversity to your jewelry box and allow you to accessorize with ease.

Minimize Negative Qualities

As gold-plated jewelry has the luster of real gold, it’s been popular for decades. As the jewelry contains a variety of metals, the negative qualities of pure gold can be minimized. For instance, pure gold is a very soft metal. Because of this, it can easily become scratched or dented over time. To counteract this, the gold plating solution contains other alloy metals to add strength and durability to the jewelry.

Looks Expensive

The great thing about plated jewelry is that it looks expensive, even though it’s not. Plating jewelry is a great way to make a cheaper metal look better. For instance, a cheap alloy can be coated with gold plating and look almost identical to a solid gold piece. Providing that the base metal is cheap and only a small amount of gold is used in the plating, the price of the jewelry will stay low.

Inhibits Corrosion

Cheaper metals are often susceptible to corrosion. This means that over time, the metal will begin to rust. However, when covered with gold plating, the cheaper metal isn’t exposed to the elements. This means that the jewelry will stay in good condition for years to come.

Encourages Pain Adhesion

When jewelry is plated, the paint will stick to the surface more easily. As paint bonds to certain metals better than others, these can be used in the plating solution to encourage paint adhesion.

Doesn’t Oxidise

In many metals, oxygen contributes heavily to their corrosion; however, gold isn’t one of them. Unlike cheaper metals, gold doesn’t oxidize. In fact, it’s the least reactive of all metals. As it’s impervious to moisture and high temperates, gold-plated jewelry will hold up well in all environments.

Cons of gold plated jewelry

It will tarnish

If you’re wondering, “does gold plated jewelry tarnish?” the answer is yes, it does! Gold-plated jewelry items will definitely tarnish over time, though solid gold items will not tarnish at all. Gold plated items have a base metal underneath the gold plate, like copper or silver, which makes the jewelry piece stronger and less likely to bend, though these jewelry metals tarnish. In a gold-plated jewelry item, the metal beneath the gold plate will eventually come to the surface and become discolored, so it will need to be polished frequently to keep its shine. The reason that gold-plated jewelry tarnishes is that the molecules of the base metals eventually transfer into the thin layer of gold, causing the gold layer to break down.

The plating can be scratched or chipped.

After a few weeks of wearing your gold-plated jewelry item, the gold plate is likely to start chipping, wearing, or flaking off. The reason for this is because the gold layer is so thin and not very durable itself. Gold is a very soft metal and can easily be scratched unless alloyed with other metals to make it stronger.

The amount of gold is minimal and can lead to a lower value

The layer of gold on gold-plated items is the least amount of gold when compared to gold-filled or solid gold items. Thus, the gold plate is very thin and susceptible to flaking off. Since the gold content is so low in gold-plated items, the value is low.

Can’t wear gold plated items in water

If you’re wondering, “can you wear gold plated jewelry in the shower,” the answer is no, you cannot. Showering with gold-plated jewelry or immersing the item underwater for long periods of time can cause the gold layer to completely wear off.

Pros and cons of Gold Filled Jewellery

Pros of gold filled jewellery

It is much longer wearing than gold plated.
More affordable than solid gold.

Cons of gold filled jewellery

It’s still not solid gold and the gold layer may eventually wear off
It can still tarnish, much like any alloy

How does gold vermeil compare to gold filled?

The core difference between gold vermeil and gold filled is the underlying manufacturing process. Gold vermeil is an electroplating process, and gold-filled is a pressure and heat bonding process.

Think of it like so – gold vermeil is a sterling silver base with the gold ‘painted’ on, or in some cases, ‘flash dipped’, depending on the level of thickness of the gold plating. On the other hand, gold-filled is usually brass base or sterling silver, with the gold ‘melted’ on, i.e. going through essentially a large oven for a long period of time and the gold being pressure & heat bonded to the base layer.

Gold Vermeil Vs Gold Filled Vs Gold Plated, Which one is better and which oen should I buy?

The price

Gold Filled Jewelry > Gold Vermeil Jewelry > Gold Plated Jewelry

The durability

Gold Filled Jewelry > Gold Vermeil Jewelry > Gold Plated Jewelry

In general, these three kinds of jewelry are more suitable for daily wear, although the performance is different, but the difference is not big. It is recommended that when you buy, consider your budget and how often you want to use it. Of course, we recommend starting with basic gold-plated jewelry.