You’ve probably come across these terms while searching for jewelry: gold plated, gold vermeil and solid gold. They describe the material composition of the piece. In this blog you can read about what they exactly mean and how they differ from one another.
What is gold plated?
Gold plated jewelry is coated with a thin layer of gold. The technique used to apply this layer and its thickness can vary within the jewelry industry.
Most fashion jewelry brands use flash plating, a very thin layer of gold applied over a base metal such as brass or silver. In this technique, the piece is briefly dipped into a gold bath, allowing a minimal layer of gold to adhere to the surface. The thickness of this layer is measured in microns. For flash plating, this usually ranges between 0.05 and 0.2 micron.
Oro Jewels’ gold plated pieces are made from high quality gold plating. The base material is always 925 sterling silver, chosen for its value as a precious metal and because of its durable, hypoallergenic properties. The gold plating is at least 1 micron thick, considerably thicker than flash plating ensuring that the jewelry maintains its shine and beauty.
Is gold plated jewelry waterproof?
Gold plated jewelry will stay beautiful the longest if contact with water is avoided as much as possible. Read all our tips on how to care for and maintain your gold plated jewelry to keep it looking radiant for years to come.
What is gold vermeil?
Gold vermeil offers a higher quality than standard gold plated jewelry. It has a thicker layer of gold, at least 2.5 microns. For vermeil, the base material must always be silver. Oro Jewels’ gold vermeil pieces have a gold layer of at least 3 microns, resulting in high quality and lasting beauty.
What is solid gold?
Jewelry made of solid gold, is made entirely from gold without any other base metals. This means the entire piece is made of one gold alloy, for example 14k or 18k gold. This makes solid gold jewelry naturally durable and valuable. You can recognize real gold by the gold stamp.
Solid gold does not tarnish and is hypoallergenic. It retains its beauty for years, which is why it is considered an investment for life, and even for future generations. Explore our collection of solid gold jewelry here.
Gold plated, gold vermeil and solid gold jewelry from Oro Jewels
Oro Jewels was born from a passion for timeless elegance and craftsmanship. Our collection combines carefully curated vintage pieces with contemporary designs, where each jewel tells its own story.
Our range includes earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces and pendants in gold plated, gold vermeil or solid gold. Discover our full collection here.
