The gold in vermeil is usually a higher karat, often 10 karats or more. This term is defined by strict criteria in many countries, especially the uk, and is different to standard gold plating. Vermeil usually looks like gold to the naked eye, making it a great alternative for those who can't afford pure gold jewelry
Vermeil by TheLarcK on DeviantArt
You can also shine it up to give it a beautiful gloss, or leave it to tarnish for a vintage look.
The difference between gold vermeil and solid gold jewelry is that vermeil pieces include a sterling silver base electroplated with gold
Whereas, solid gold is just that — jewelry made completely of gold with no alternate core. To qualify as vermeil, the base metal must be sterling silver—so even beneath the gold, you’re dealing with a precious material. Simply put, gold vermeil jewelry is thickly plated silver—hence its nicknames as “silver gilt” or “gilded silver” But unlike other gold plated jewelry, vermeil jewelry adheres to strict standards and regulations set in the 19th century.
Gold vermeil is a legally regulated term that refers to jewelry with a sterling silver base metal and a layer of gold plating that is at least 2.5 microns thick Gold vermeil is superior to gold plated jewelry in terms of longevity, quality and value! Gold vermeil, or just vermeil, refers to items made of silver that are plated with a thin layer of gold In the u.s., to be considered vermeil, a piece has to be coated with gold that is at least 10 karats pure.
