Are you trying to figure out how to give your accessories more shine and glimmer? The solution might be gold vermeil. But the question comes: does gold vermeil tarnish? Here are some things you should know about gold vermeil tarnishing and how to make it last longer.
Yes, gold vermeil can tarnish over time. Gold vermeil tarnishes due to the reaction of oxygen with the metal base (silver).
The metal can also tarnish as a result of elements like sweat, perfume, and humidity.
What is Gold Vermeil?
Gold vermeil is also known as silver gilt or gilded silver. It describes a specific kind of fine silver that is covered in gold. You might wonder how it differs from gold-filled or gold plated.
There are a few requirements that must be satisfied for jewelry to be deemed vermeil, though.
First of all, the piece’s base should be high-quality sterling (92.5%) silver or fine (99.9%) silver. Since brass or alloys react negatively with the coating, there is a higher likelihood that the gold on top will varnish over time if the article uses any other type of metal as a base.
The purity of the gold is the second requirement. A piece must have at least ten karats of purity in the gold used as a coating in order for it to be deemed vermeil. Please keep in mind that because the gold coating will be softer, higher purity gold will also tarnish more quickly.
Lastly, vermeil pieces are only characterized like that if the coating layer is 2.5 microns thick.
Related Post: Gold Vermeil Vs Gold-filled
Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish?
The resistance of gold vermeil is extraordinary. In actuality, it is more durable than diamond and solid gold jewelry. Generally speaking, vermeil jewelry is less susceptible to everyday wear and tear than plated jewelry.
It is possible for the outer golden layer to wear away and reveal the sterling silver piece underneath if you wear your jewelry frequently or if you don’t take care of it.
Even if that does happen, you can have the vermeil restored for less money than the item itself. If you don’t decide to get the vermeil replaced, your piece will still hold up well, thanks to the high-quality sterling silver underneath.
Also Read: How Long Does Gold Vermeil Last?
Will Gold Vermeil Turn Green?
The green mark that jewelry leaves behind is undoubtedly something you have seen before. With regard to rings, this is particularly obvious. Wearing them continuously may leave green or even black marks on your finger.
The silver at the core of the piece is responsible for this since it oxidizes. In reaction to your skin, it will leave those dreaded marks.
However, contrary to popular belief, those marks are only a tell-tale of how your skin reacts to the jewelry. They frequently do not represent the caliber of the work.
You may be allergic to that particular type of metal if the mark causes you to scratch. In addition to other methods of skin protection, a thick layer of gold can prevent negative reactions to the metal.
To stop oxidation, avoid marks or any other allergic reactions, many people line the inside of their jewelry with clear nail polish.
While the silver in vermeil can oxidize and mark your skin, the result is nothing compared to the oxidation of other metals, such as brass, nickel or copper.
Read More: Can Gold Vermeil Get Wet?
How to Make Gold Vermeil Last Longer?
Even though vermeil has a good level of tarnish resistance, there is no excuse for skipping the necessary precautions. Here are some simple ways to defend your vermeil, and any other piece, from normal wear and tear.
Keep It Dry
Although it may be necessary for us to survive, water is the worst enemy of jewelry. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when a metal reacts with water and oxygen. The sterling silver underneath can rust when exposed to oxygen and water, but gold generally doesn’t.
Wearing jewelry in the ocean or a swimming pool is never a good idea because the other chemicals in these environments can further corrode metals. Just make sure to dry it off with a fiber cloth once you get back inside if you do manage to get caught in the rain while wearing your vermeil chain around your neck.
Remember that household humidity can contribute to rust on your items quite easily. Between 30% and 50% relative humidity is the ideal range for your house. If it is higher than this, you might want to think about getting a dehumidifier.
Keep It Away from Other Pieces
Despite being a resilient metal, gold is also relatively soft. This implies that other hard metals can damage its appearance by easily scratching them. Unbelievably, rubbing your gold jewelry against other pieces of jewelry can cause a significant amount of this damage.
You can learn a lot about what substances might harm your vermeil by using the Mohs Hardness scale. Pure gold is a 2.5 on the scale, meaning that steel, diamond, and topaz can all damage it if you rub them against each other.
Investing in a jewelry box is a smart way to safeguard your gold. These enable you to separate your pieces from one another and shield them from the environment, such as dust or humidity.
You can also wrap your gold pieces in a fiber cloth before storing them to keep them padded and protected from getting nicked, dinged, and scratched up.
Clean Regularly
Spend a few minutes every now and then giving your vermeil jewelry a good clean; the technique you use is crucial if you want it to last you a lifetime. To keep your vermeil or gold jewelry looking beautiful for as long as possible, clean it regularly with a jewelry cleaning cloth.
It’s essential to soak your pieces rather than scrub them. Scrubbing can be abrasive on the materials that make your piece look so amazing, to begin with.
A soft-bristled toothbrush should be used to scrub off any solid debris after soaking your piece for at least three hours, according to experts. The majority of the time, soaking in water is sufficient, but you can use a mild dish soap if you prefer.
To prevent rust from all the oxidation, just make sure to thoroughly dry your piece after cleaning.
Related Post: How to Clean Gold Vermeil?
Take a Break
If your jewelry is starting to lose some of its luster, you might be surprised to learn that your body is the main cause. This is so that your chains, bracelets, blinged-out watches, and rings don’t lose their outer gold plating due to the natural oils in your body.
Even though you might want to wear your jewelry every day, it’s always a good idea to take a break from wearing it. A piece of clothing may eventually look different if it has been exposed to too much grease and oil from your skin.
Conclusion: Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish
Vermeil jewelry can be a great alternative to solid gold pieces if you are willing to put a little bit of extra care into your schedule. Who doesn’t love a beautiful thing at a discount? They can last for many years with the right maintenance.
Vermeil is typically resistant to tarnishing, but you can always take precautions to keep it looking brand new. In order to prevent body oils from eroding the outer golden layer, this involves keeping it dry, storing it in a secure location away from other materials, and avoiding wearing it too frequently.
But you ought to be able to depend on the caliber of your output at all times. Because of this, 6 Ice provides a lifetime guarantee. As a result, if your item breaks due to normal wear and tear, we’ll work with you to make it right.
Related Post:
FAQs About Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish
Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish in Water?
Gold Vermeil typically does not tarnish quickly, unless it’s worn in the pool, shower, ocean, hot tub, hot springs, etc, as the water may have extra tarnishing elements and chemicals.
What is the Difference Between Gold Vermeil Vs Gold Plated?
While Gold Vermeil contains a significantly high amount of gold and a thicker layer, Gold plating has a much thinner coating.
How Long Can Gold Vermeil Last?
Both gold-filled and gold vermeil can last for years with proper care.
