What is the Difference Between Gold-Plated and Gold Vermeil?

Gold-plated and gold vermeil jewelry may look similar, but they differ in quality, durability, and materials. Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the key distinctions:

Material Base

  • Gold-Plated: The base metal is often a less expensive material, such as brass, copper, or stainless steel.
  • Gold Vermeil: The base metal must be sterling silver, which is higher in quality and hypoallergenic.

Gold Layer Thickness

  • Gold-Plated:  The gold layer is typically very thin (less than 0.5 microns), making it more prone to fading or wearing off over time.
  • Gold Vermeil: The gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick by legal standards, making it more durable compared to standard gold-plated pieces.

Durability

  • Gold-Plated: Due to its thin gold layer, it can tarnish or chip relatively quickly, especially with frequent wear. 
  • Gold Vermeil: The thicker gold layer and sterling silver base make it more resistant to tarnishing and better for daily wear.

Cost

  • Gold-Plated: Typically more affordable because of the thin gold layer and lower-cost base metal.
  • Gold Vermeil: Slightly more expensive due to the use of sterling silver and a thicker, higher-quality gold layer.

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