Gold Vemeil vs Gold Plated
'What's Gold Vermeil?' This is a question I get asked a lot, so here is my breakdown of the gold terminologies that will hopefully be helpful to you.
Gold Plating
The term 'gold plated' is used a lot with big high street brands. this means that there will be a cheap base metal, often brass, which has been plated on the surface with a very thin layer of gold measured in 'microns' (under 0.25 microns). It is known as 'flash plating' and will wear very easily and quickly. At Myleti Jewellery we do not use 'gold plate'.
Gold Vermeil
Gold Vermeil has a base of solid sterling silver, which has then been plated with a thick layer of 18k solid gold (2.5 to 3 microns minimum). With the base metal being sterling silver, it is good quality and very safe for sensitive skin and the plating will last for years if looked after carefully.
Gold Filled
Gold filled contains a very thick layer of solid gold bonded on to the outside of a small brass or copper core. The way the gold is bonded, makes it very durable and the next best thing to solid gold, but without the high price tag. It is also very safe for sensitive skin. - Because necklace chains are in constant contact with the skin and need to therefore be hard wearing, I use a lot of gold filled chains, to ensure the gold never wears away.
Here is a cross section diagram of all of the gold terminologies:
