Gold vermeil, gold filled, and gold plated are three of our most-loved everyday metals. They're accessible, beautiful, and built to hold up to real life. They're not quite as low-maintenance as solid gold, but with a little regular care, they'll keep their shine for years. Here's what to know.
What Makes Them Different
All three start from the same idea: real gold over a base metal, at a more accessible price point than solid gold, but the amount and application of that gold layer varies, which affects how each one wears over time.
- Gold vermeil is a sterling silver base plated with a thick layer of real gold, more than standard plating, which gives it solid staying power.
- Goldfill goes a step further and instead of an electroplated layer, a solid layer of gold is mechanically bonded to a base metal under heat and pressure, making it the most durable of the three (though still not waterproof).
- Gold plated has the thinnest layer of gold, electroplated over a base metal (often brass or sterling silver). It has the same warm look as the others but requires a bit more care, since the gold layer is more delicate and prone to wearing thin with heavy use.
All three will naturally tarnish or dull over time, especially with exposure to environmental factors like air pollution, moisture, anything containing sulfur, and even the different ph levels in your skin, but that shine is easy to restore with the right care.
Everyday Wear: Do's and Don'ts
Do:
- Put your jewelry on last, after makeup, perfume, and lotion
- Wipe pieces down with a soft, dry cloth after wearing to remove oils and residue
- Take pieces off before swimming, showering, or sweating heavily
- Be extra mindful with gold plated pieces specifically, a bit more care goes a long way
Avoid:
- Chlorine and saltwater, which speed up tarnishing
- Direct contact with perfume, lotion, and hairspray
- Items containing sulfur (rubber bands, some cleaning products, even certain foods), which can accelerate tarnish
- Harsh cleaning products, including anything with bleach or ammonia
- Excessive friction or rubbing on gold plated pieces, which can wear through the gold layer faster than on vermeil or gold filled
How to Clean It
Clean your pieces regularly by wiping them with a soft, dry cloth or a polishing cloth, this alone goes a long way toward keeping tarnish at bay and restoring shine between wears. For gold plated pieces, stick to gentle wiping only; avoid any scrubbing, since the thinner gold layer can wear away with repeated abrasion. Vermeil and gold filled can tolerate a slightly firmer polish, but all three should avoid soaking, harsh chemicals, or ultrasonic cleaners.
How to Store It
Store your gold pieces in a safe, dry place, away from moisture and direct sunlight like our jewelry wallets. Keeping pieces separated (rather than tangled together in a drawer) also helps prevent scratching and speeds up the process of grabbing exactly what you want to wear.
A Fun Fact
Gold filled jewelry has been around far longer than most people realize! The technique dates back to the mid-1800s, originally developed as a more affordable way to make gold jewelry accessible to more people. It's held up as a trusted method ever since for exactly that reason.