Gold Vermeil vs Solid Gold — What's Right for You?

Behind the Glow

07 Jul, 2021

Basic Hoops

Let’s talk gold! We know that the jewellery jargon — Microns! Karats! — jumping at your left, right and centre when you’re shopping for new fines can be a little bit… daunting (to say the least). But don’t worry, we’re here to help you decipher what is what. In this little guide, we’ll go over the difference between 9K and 18K gold and gold vermeil to help you choose what’s best for you.

What is vermeil?

Pronounced 'ver-may' (it's French!), vermeil is a legally regulated term that refers to jewellery made of pure or sterling silver and plated with a thick layer of solid gold.

For jewellery to be labelled 'vermeil', this coating needs to have a thickness of at least 2.5 microns of gold — if you're into the nitty-gritty details: one micron is one-thousandth of a millimetre — and the gold used must be no less than 10K in purity.

Our gold vermeil is a little different...

We want you to enjoy your vermeil fines for as long as possible. That's why we gild all of our vermeil jewellery with 5 microns (yep, that’s indeed 100% thicker than the industry standard!) of 18K solid yellow, white or rose gold.

We want to do our part in supporting and empowering local miners as well as their communities while being kind to the planet. Our ultimate vision is to create fines that are 100% traceable from the mine all the way to your jewellery box, which is why the 925 sterling silver we use as a base for our vermeil is Fairtrade-certified. The gold we plate it with is 100% recycled from reclaimed jewellery pieces.

Left to right: Gaia Hoops, Gaia Bangle, Soufflé Ring, Oval Eternity Ring, Mini Beaded Thick Band, Line Pattern Ring, Narrow Criss Cross Ring

FYI, gold vermeil isn't the same as gold-plated

Gold-plated jewellery — also known as 'costume jewellery' — is made of a base material of non-precious metals such as copper, steel or brass that has been quickly dipped into a gold bath. The gold content of gold-plated pieces is usually less than 1%; the plating only has to be 0.5 microns to be considered gold-plated. Let's do the math: that's 10 (!) times less than our gold vermeil jewellery and 5 times less than regular vermeil!

Gold-plated pieces may be tempting to buy because they’re relatively cheap, but be aware that they come at a high cost to the environment. Because the gold plating is very thin, costume jewellery only holds up for a hot second. After only a few wears, the piece will highly likely start to tarnish, its edges turn green (because of a chemical reaction with your skin), and it's ready to be discarded into a landfill; you're buying a new one, rinse and repeat.

Once the gold has been (partially) rubbed off, the base material can also leave you with discoloured or even irritated skin: gold-plated jewellery usually contains nickel and other materials that can cause an allergic reaction if you have sensitive skin.

Why choose gold vermeil jewellery?

Vermeil fines boast all the glowy good looks of solid gold, but for a smaller price tag. Thanks to its extra-thick layer of solid gold coated on top of high-quality silver, vermeil jewellery is gold-plated jewellery's much more durable and eco-friendly sibling. If cared for properly, vermeil pieces can be worn for years without tarnishing or fading. Aesthetics aside, vermeil is hypoallergenic — it's made with precious metals only — making it a great choice if you have sensitive skin.

Go for gold vermeil jewellery if you...

are looking for affordable luxury
like to keep up with trends while being kind to the environment
enjoy having many pieces to pick from
prefer larger statement pieces
want to wear tarnish-resistant jewellery you don’t have to take off
have sensitive skin

Shop our vermeil jewellery

Left to right: Gaia Bangle, Spiral Ring, Soufflé Ring, Solar Medallion Ring Necklace

What is gold?

Gold is a noble, precious metal that doesn't react with other elements, meaning it won't corrode or rust like most metals. In its purest form, 24 karats, it's not well suited for jewellery making as it bends and scratches easily (all while being as expensive as gold gets!). Therefore, gold is mixed with other metals called 'alloys' to give it durability and strength.

Our golden fines

All of our solid gold jewellery is available in both 9K and 18K solid yellow, white and rose gold. We use recycled gold from reclaimed jewellery pieces, as gold can be melted infinitely and easily be brought back to its full purity through a refining process. Using recycled gold reduces the demand for new gold mining, which in turn saves water, land and carbon emissions.

Why choose 9K gold jewellery?

9K gold pieces are a highly durable yet accessible choice. Containing 9 parts of gold and 15 parts of alloys, 9 karat gold jewellery can be worn daily for decades on end without scuffing, scratching or tarnishing with the right care.

Left to right: Oval Eternity Ring, Open Ring, Open Circle Diamond Necklace

Go for 9K gold jewellery if you...

want to build lasting memories with your fines
are looking for a bit of luxury
prefer low-maintenance jewellery
want to wear tarnish-resistant jewellery you don’t have to take off
have sensitive skin

Why choose 18K gold jewellery?

18K solid gold jewellery is the closest you can get to pure gold without sacrificing durability and strength. 22K gold jewellery is, for instance, not strong enough to hold diamonds and gemstones (not to mention it’s more pricey than pieces made of 18K gold!). Containing 18 parts of gold and 6 parts of alloys, 18K gold jewellery never fades or tarnishes, striking the perfect balance between longevity and luxury.

Go for 18K gold jewellery if you..

are looking for a piece to wear for a lifetime, like an engagement ring or a wedding ring
want an heirloom piece to pass on for generations to come
prefer extremely low-maintenance jewellery that doesn’t tarnish
want to wear jewellery you don’t have to take off
have sensitive skin