These two metal types, gold vermeil vs gold-filled, differ from one another only slightly.
It’s crucial to understand these distinctions between gold vermeil and gold-filled when deciding on the metal for your upcoming favorite jewelry piece.
In this blog post, we already discussed the distinctions between gold-filled and gold-plated jewelry, but we also thought it would be interesting to delve deeper into another category of gold jewelry that has emerged more recently: gold vermeil.
What is Gold Vermeil?
Gold vermeil is essentially gold plating on top of a sterling silver base. In contrast, depending on the quality of costume jewelry, gold-plated jewelry is typically made of brass, or occasionally an alloy made of nickel or zinc.
Similar to gold-filled, gold vermeil is made by bonding a real gold layer to sterling silver. We use 18 karat gold in both our gold and rose gold jewelry, which is the highest percentage of gold alloy that can be used to make this type of gold. This guarantees you receive items of the highest caliber while taking advantage of the cost-effectiveness of gold vermeil.
When maintained properly, gold-filled and gold vermeil can both last for many years. In fact, both gold-filled and gold vermeil is more durable than other gold-plated options – making both ideal for creating staple necklaces and bracelets for daily wear.
Related Post: Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish?
What is Gold-filled?
Despite its name, gold-filled jewelry (also referred to as “rolled gold”) is not actually filled with gold. Instead, it is made of cheaper base metals like brass or copper that have sheets of gold applied to them.
These gold sheets are bonded to the base metal using a mechanical process involving heat. Once this process has taken place you are left with jewelry covered in a thick layer of gold that usually constitutes 5% of its weight.
When contrasting gold-filled and gold-plated, gold-plated jewelry typically contains less than 0.05% of its weight in gold.
This metal is used to make gold jewelry because of its thick gold layer, which makes it durable and tarnish-resistant. It is also significantly less expensive than pure gold.
Differences Between Gold Vermeil and Gold-filled
Gold-filled and gold vermeil hold a few differences despite the fact that both are base metals that have been covered in gold.
- Base metal – gold-filled jewelry can be made on a number of cheap metals such as brass or copper, whilst gold vermeil can only be made from sterling silver. We adore using recycled silver for a sustainable option in our jewelry.
- Gold thickness – the thickness of the gold layer varies between gold-filled and gold vermeil, and both are measured on different scales. Whilst gold-filled requires the percentage weight in gold to be 5%, gold vermeil requires thickness of 2.5 microns.
- Production method – whilst gold is bonded to the base metal using heat in gold-filled pieces, electrolysis is used in gold vermeil. More complex pieces can be created thanks to electrolysis. This is because filled jewelry’s gold sheets can only be attached to flat surfaces. However, because vermeil is produced in a solution, it is a better material for crafting rings and other shaped jewelry.
Both gold-filled and gold-vermeil jewelry have advantages over the other. Gold vermeil jewelry is the best option if you’re looking for high-quality items without an outrageous price tag. With more flexibility in the production process, you can adorn intricate earrings, and delicate anklets. Or, gold-filled is a fantastic metal for flatter pieces like cuff bracelets and simple pendants.
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What Type of Gold Jewellery Should I Buy?
You are completely in charge! The overall budget will be the deciding factor because both have benefits and drawbacks.
Due to the difficult and drawn-out process of heat and pressure bonding, gold fill costs a little more than gold vermeil but is frequently more enduring.
However, if you tend to be sensitive to metals in gold-plated, gold vermeil is a great alternative because you can wear it more elegantly as the top layer of gold ages.
If you frequently wear jewelry and don’t take it off in the shower, for example., gold fill is a better move, whereas if you do take off your jewelry in water, gold vermeil will be sufficient given diligent jewelry care daily.
If you like to switch up your jewelry frequently, choose gold vermeil; if you only buy jewelry occasionally, choose gold fill because its wear time may be longer.
Final Thoughts on Gold Vermeil Vs Gold-filled
To summarise, both vermeil and gold-filled jewelry are popular choices.
Gold Vermeil is the material I would always suggest, though, as the entire piece is made of precious metal and there are no hidden charges.
Read More:
FAQs About Gold Vermeil Vs Gold-filled
Is Gold-filled Real Gold?
Gold-filled is crafted from both a layer of real gold, and a cheaper base metal. The layer of gold sheet, while not solid gold, is typically 14 karat real gold. A piece must contain real gold making up 1/20 of its weight in order to be labeled as gold-filled.
Is Gold Vermeil Worth It?
Yes, gold vermeil is definitely an option worth considering.
How Long Does Gold Vermeil Last?
Both gold filled and gold vermeil can last for years with proper care.
