There are many types of jewelry that claim to contain gold. Among these types of jewelry, one in particular, vermeil jewelry, can sometimes catch our interest thinking that it is made of pure gold. In other words, what is the total amount of gold actually present in these pieces of jewelry?
To put it in simple terms, vermeil (pronounced “see-MAY”) is basically gold-plated sterling silver. Vermeil is a French word meaning “gilt silver”, exported by the French in the 19th century to replace the usual term silver gilt; this term is used primarily in the United States. In the mid-18th century, the French developed a method of adhering a layer of gold to sterling silver, but it was quickly abandoned: the mercury had to be vaporized for the gold to adhere to the silver, causing many craftsmen to convert. blind in the process.
Vermeil used in jewelry today is produced by electrolysis, a much safer process compared to the original method of fire gilding. This process uses a direct current in an electrolytic bath to produce a non-spontaneous chemical reaction; in the case of Vermeil, fusing and adhering a thin layer of gold to sterling silver.
Not all Vermeils are the same. To be considered real gold vermeil and not an inferior gold-plated item, the jewelry, tableware, or industrial product must meet a number of requirements. These requirements are detailed in US Code of Federal Regulations 16, Part 23.5, which defines vermeil as a product consisting of a base of sterling silver, overlaid with a layer of gold or gold alloy one thickness. 2.5 micron minimum. Additionally, the gold used must be at least 10 karat (42%) gold. This means that if sterling silver is not used, or if sterling silver is plated with a gold-plated base metal, it cannot be traded as vermeil.
Be careful not to confuse Vermeil jewelry with gold-plated or gold-plated items. Gold filled jewelry isn’t actually gold filled, it’s just a brass or copper base covered by mechanically applied gold foil. Similarly, gold-plated items are created by applying a thin layer of gold to steel or brass in an electroplating solution. Some pieces of jewelry created by these methods can actually be more expensive than vermeil, just be sure to select vermeil jewelry if sterling silver with gold jewelry is what you’re looking for.
The beauty of vermeil jewelry is that its appearance and craftsmanship is similar to pure gold jewelry. Also, Vermeil is safe for people with allergic reactions because it can only contain sterling silver and gold. And did we mention that Vermeil is also much cheaper than pure gold jewelry? It looks almost as good but without the high price. Just be sure to take the same precautions you take with any other piece of fine jewelry—that means no swimming, showering, or doing housework with the jewelry on—and vermeil jewelry can last a long time.