Confused about the differences between gold vermeil, gold-plated, gold-layered, and solid gold jewelry? In this letter, we break down each type, explaining their unique characteristics, durability, and general pricing to help find the best material for you.
1. Gold
Gold jewelry refers to pieces that are made from solid gold. Solid gold is a pure metal, or an alloy of gold mixed with other metals for added strength, durability, etc.
- Characteristics: Gold jewelry is available in various karats, such as 24k (pure gold), 18k, 14k, or 10k. The higher the karat number, the purer the gold (and the more yellow in its appearance), but it also tends to be softer.
- Durability: Solid gold is considered durable. It doesn't wear off over time like plated or vermeil gold does.
- Cost: Because it’s made from pure gold or high-purity gold, it is typically the most expensive option.
2. Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil jewelry is made from sterling silver that has been coated with a layer of gold. The gold layer in gold vermeil jewelry should be at least 2.5 microns thick and made from 14k gold or higher.
- Characteristics: Gold vermeil tends to be more durable than regular gold-plated jewelry because the gold layer applied over the sterling silver is thicker.
- Durability: The gold layer can wear off over time, especially if exposed to friction or chemicals. By taking care of it and avoiding harsh chemicals you can maintain the gold color for longer. Overall, it tends to be more long-lasting than gold-plated jewelry.
- Cost: Gold vermeil is more affordable than solid gold but typically costs more than gold-plated items.
3. Gold-Plated
Gold-plated jewelry uses metals that have been coated with a thin layer of gold. The gold layer is usually quite thin, often less than 1 micron thick. The layer is usually added using an electroplating process.
- Characteristics: The gold plating can be made from different karats of gold (such as 10k, 14k, or 18k). The most common base metal(s) used for gold-plated jewelry are copper, brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, nickel, and aluminum.
- Durability: The gold plating responsible for the yellow appearance of the jewelry piece is more prone to wearing off over time with gold-plated jewelry. If the piece is exposed to frequent friction, moisture, or harsh chemical it may eventually expose the base metal underneath.
- Cost: It is one of the most affordable options since it uses a thinner coating of gold.
4. Gold-Layered
Gold-layered jewelry has been covered with multiple layers of gold, which may be thicker than standard gold plating but not as substantial as gold vermeil.
- Characteristics: The exact thickness and gold content in gold-layered jewelry can vary, and it's often not as strictly regulated as gold vermeil (at least 2.5 microns thick). In other words, the gold layer can be thicker than gold-plating, but it is usually thinner than gold vermeil. Common base metal(s) used for gold-layered jewelry are copper, brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, nickel, and aluminum.
- Durability: The durability of gold-layered jewelry can vary depending on the thickness of the gold layers, and the care. Generally, it is considered more durable than standard gold-plated jewelry but less durable than gold vermeil.
- Cost: Gold-layered jewelry is often priced similarly to gold-plated jewelry, but it can also vary depending on the thickness of the gold coating.
It is also important to consider how your skin and pH levels react to the different jewelry types.
| Type | Characteristics | Durability & Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Solid Gold Available in various purities (karats): 10K, 14K, 18K, and 24K |
Durable High |
| Gold Vermeil | Sterling Silver that has been coated with a layer of gold Gold layer should be at least 2.5 microns thick and made from 14k gold or higher |
Moderate to High Moderate |
| Gold-Plated | Metals that have been coated with a thin layer of gold The gold layer is usually less than 1 micron thick Common base metals: copper, brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, nickel, aluminum |
Low Low to moderate |
| Gold-Layered | Metals that have been covered with multiple layers of gold Exact thickness and gold content can very; not as regulated as gold vermeil layer Common base metals: copper, brass, sterling silver, stainless steel, nickel, aluminum |
Moderate Low to moderate |