If you don’t know how to clean jewelry correctly, it can be stressful. Here’s a handy guide on how to clean gold vermeil.
Your everyday outfit can be made a little more opulent by accessorizing with vermeil jewelry. But over time, this particular kind of jewelry may begin to gather grit and oils from the air, as well as from our skin.
Fortunately, maintaining the best possible appearance for your vermeil jewelry is simple with the right information and tools.
Continue reading to discover how to maintain the luster of your vermeil jewelry for years to come.
What is Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
Gold vermeil (pronounced “ver-may”) is a particular type of jewelry base. This product is made entirely of precious metals, with solid gold being bonded over sterling silver.
Compared to other plated jewelry, gold vermeil boasts a higher level of quality. For this procedure, the gold coating on top of the sterling silver must be at least 2.5 microns thick.
Other plating processes, however, are not subject to any restrictions, and some procedures even produce an incredibly thin layer of gold (a process known as flash plating).
How to Clean Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
For Routine Care
The best method to clean your vermeil jewelry is simply by gently rubbing and polishing with a soft cloth or microfiber cloth (like a sunglass cloth.) We recommend avoiding using a jewelry polishing cloth or silver cloth unless they specifically say “un-treated” otherwise they often contain polishing agents and chemicals meant for silver, not gold, and these will be too harsh for your gold vermeil jewelry and can cause premature wear-down.
Always use a clean cloth that is free of any lint that could get stuck in settings and prongs (think soft, nonabrasive cloth). Your pieces will shine and polish back up to their original sparkle by gently rubbing by themselves and removing daily grime build-up.
Please use extra caution when cleaning chains, gems, and pearls. When exerting pressure on tiny and difficult-to-reach areas, our fingers are stronger than we realize.
For Deep Cleaning
Use some simple liquid soap and water to thoroughly clean your vermeil jewelry. Use lukewarm water—not hot—and uncomplicated liquid soap—dish soap like dawn is a great choice.
Despite what you might read elsewhere, it’s best to avoid completely submerging your jewelry into soapy water. Instead, gently rub your jewelry with a damp, lint-free cloth while it is submerged in a bowl or sink of warm water that has had a little soap dissolved in it.
Even a soft bristle brush shouldn’t be used on vermeil (or any plated jewelry), as this can still be too abrasive to the gold plating, and it’s better to avoid any unnecessary risk than to risk any damage.
Using a different cloth dipped in only plain water after you’ve finished cleaning your jewelry, rinse each piece. After that, gently pat yourself dry.
Read More: How to Clean Gold-filled Jewelry?
Does Gold Vermeil Wear Off?
Due to the fact that gold vermeil is not the same as solid gold, it is susceptible to abrasion, contact with harsh chemicals, airborne pollutants, etc., which can cause it to degrade over time.
Let’s say you wear jewelry a little more haphazardly. In that case, the worst-case scenario is probably going to be wearing away some of the gold layer, revealing some sterling silver underneath, or changing the appearance to a whiter gold if silver shines through in a few high-impact areas.
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How Do I Remove Tarnish from Gold Vermeil?
The beauty of vermeil is that it rarely tarnishes. However, if it does, which typically occurs when it is exposed to moist air or a chemical it doesn’t like for a prolonged period of time, it will occasionally appear as a brown or dark spot and it is incredibly simple to remove. It should clear up quickly if you just give it a gentle rub with a soft, clean cloth! Yay for vermeil!
If you’re seeing a grey filmy, scaly-like substance, that means your jewelry piece is not vermeil and has a brass base. The only way to get rid of that reactive tarnish scale is by buffing, which also means you’re removing your outer layer of gold, so proceed with extreme caution.)
Wrap Up: How to Clean Gold Vermeil
Even though Gold Vermeil is of the highest quality, it can still tarnish easily, so you need to take care of it properly.
You don’t need to be an expert to maintain your vermeil jewelry. Preferably remove rings before washing your hands and keep harsh chemicals in an airtight box or container. You can prolong the beauty of your pieces by taking the suggested actions.
There is always a place for gold jewelry. Take good care of your accessories because it is an inexpensive and lovely way to accessorize your outfits.
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FAQs
What Happens If You Get Gold Vermeil Wet?
After repeated contact with water, the gold plating on your jewelry will begin to erode, and eventually it may start to look dull or discolored.
How to Keep Gold Vermeil from Tarnishing?
Contact with moisture and liquids is one of the quickest ways to tarnish jewelry. This includes lotions, hand washing, perfume and sweating.
How to Store Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
Jewelry should be kept dry and in a box with a soft interior to prevent scuffing and impact damage.
