Should you choose Gold-Plated or Gold Vermeil?

Not all gold jewelry is created equal! You’ve probably seen both gold-plated and gold vermeil listed when shopping—but what do these terms really mean, and how do they affect the quality of your jewelry?

Gold-Plated

Gold-plated jewelry features a super-thin layer of gold applied over a base metal like brass or copper. It gives the appearance of gold, but the gold layer can be as thin as 0.5 microns—meaning it may rub off or fade quickly, especially if it gets wet or worn frequently.

Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is a higher-quality type of gold-plated jewelry. It has a much thicker layer of gold—at least 2.5 microns—over a base of sterling silver (not brass). This makes it more durable, longer-lasting, and hypoallergenic compared to standard gold-plated pieces.

Which Should You Choose?

Gold vermeil is ideal if you want jewelry that’s beautiful, better-wearing, and still more affordable than solid gold. Gold-plated is a great way to try new styles or add a pop of gold without a big investment, but it’s not built to last forever.