WHAT IS GOLD VERMEIL?
Gold vermeil (pronounced ‘vehr-may’) is a high quality type of gold plated jewellery that has sterling silver as its base and is plated in a substantially thick layer of gold that is many times thicker than regular gold plated jewellery and lasts significantly longer. Gold vermeil is often referred to as the highest quality gold jewellery that is not actually solid gold. It is a legally regulated term in the United States that refers to jewellery that must have all of the following:
1. Sterling silver as the base metal of the jewellery. Sterling silver is an alloy created from 92.5% silver and 7.5% other materials. Sterling silver pieces are stamped with a ‘925’ to mark authenticity.
2. Be plated in gold that is a minimum of 10 Karats or higher.
3. Gold plating that is at least 2.5 microns thick.
At HBW, we use 18K gold for our gold vermeil and ensure the plating is at least 2.5 microns thick. You will see the 925 stamp on our jewellery to verify the silver base of the jewellery.
Is gold vermeil high quality jewellery?
Yes, after solid gold, gold vermeil is widely regarded as the best quality gold toned jewellery available. When properly cared for, gold vermeil jewellery can last for many years. It is a great option when you don’t want to pay the high price of solid gold jewellery but still want the look of real gold and a sustainable piece of jewellery.
Is gold vermeil hypoallergenic?
At HBW all of our jewellery is nickel free and hypoallergenic. We have never had a customer report an allergic reaction to any of our jewellery!
How do I care for my gold vermeil jewellery?
To keep your gold vermeil jewellery looking beautiful, we recommend you follow these jewellery care guidelines:
1. Always put your jewellery on last when getting changed so that you avoid getting water and cosmetics (such as face creams, makeup, sunscreen etc) on your jewellery.
2. Take your jewellery off before doing activities such as exercise, swimming, cleaning or gardening to avoid exposing your jewellery to sweat, water, dirt or cleaning solutions, and to avoid damage through scrapes and bangs.
3. Store your jewellery in one of our HBW foam padded jewellery boxes, or in an air tight container or zip lock bag.
4. If you do get a spot of tarnish on your gold vermeil jewellery, gently clean it off with our HBW jewellery polishing cloth. Always be gentle when cleaning and never vigorously rub or scrub your jewellery with any cleaning solutions or cloths as this may contribute to wearing down the gold layer over time.
