Gold Vermeil—The Perfect Choice For Your Name Necklace

Gold jewelry remains a popular choice—so much so that in a market saturated with options it can be hard to figure out what’s worth purchasing or what best suits you. Gold vermeil is becoming a popular alternative to solid gold and with so many benefits it can't be denied as a true quality option. If you're looking for durable gold name necklaces, gold vermeil may be perfect for you!

What Is Gold Vermeil?

Vermeil jewelry is any piece of jewelry that consists of a sterling silver base layer with solid gold electroplated on top. Any piece of jewelry marked as gold vermeil must meet these legal requirements below:

• Sterling silver must be the base material. Sterling silver is a metal alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals. This is a standard material and precious metal which you may see represented on jewelry with a 925 stamp.
• The gold layer must be at least 10k gold but can be anything from 14k to 24k gold.
• The base must be plated in gold at least 2.5 microns thick (micron = 1/1000th of a millimeter).





What Does This Mean?

Gold vermeil is made to last. While it may sound similar to gold-plated jewelry, gold vermeil jewelry has a much thicker layer of gold in its composition with sterling silver as its base metal, meaning your piece is made from precious metals only. It's therefore less likely to fade, tarnish, or wear off.





7 Reasons to Choose Gold Vermeil for Your Name Necklace

Vermeil jewelry is one of the hottest trends right now as it strikes the perfect balance between quality and value. Here are the main reasons to choose vermeil for your iconic name necklace.





1. More Durable Than Gold-Plated Jewelry

Due to its thicker gold layer and sterling silver base, gold vermeil is a highly durable option for jewelry pieces and can last for many years with proper care.

2. Unlikely to Cause an Allergic Reaction

Gold vermeil is hypoallergenic! Because it's made up of precious metals only, most people will have no reaction or issues with this type of jewelry.

3. Affordable and Luxury Alternative to Solid Gold

Aside from solid gold jewelry, gold vermeil is the best quality you can buy. It ranks as “demi-fine jewelry”. Buy gold vermeil if you're aiming for an affordable, yet high-quality alternative to solid gold.





4. Won't Discolor Your Skin

Gold vermeil won't turn your skin green. The green hue that cheap jewelry can leave on your body is usually from an abundance of copper in a metal alloy, but gold vermeil jewelry doesn't create this reaction.

5. Easily Resizable by Jewelers

Gold vermeil jewelry pieces can easily be resized by a jeweler. The appearance may change during this process and you may need to have the item replated with gold. Luckily, many jewelers are able to do this and it's a relatively simple process.

6. Better Investment Than Gold-Plated Jewelry

With proper use, care, and cleaning, gold vermeil should last for many years. It's the highest-quality and longest-lasting option aside from solid gold jewelry, making it a better investment than gold-plated jewelry.

7. Can Be Easily Enhanced With Embellishments

Gold vermeil pieces can easily be enhanced with birthstone or diamond embellishments. This makes it a great metal choice as it allows for customization.





Conclusion

As previously mentioned, gold vermeil jewelry can last many years with proper care. Dust, pollution, perfumes, and cosmetics can affect the surface of your pieces, which in turn might affect the gloss.

Therefore, you should always remove your jewelry before applying perfume and before taking a shower. Also try as much as possible to avoid exposing your jewelry to cleaners, hot water, and harsh chemicals. Again, remove your jewelry before handling such solutions. Substances, such as chlorine, can permanently damage the surface of your piece. Bear this in mind when using chlorine bleach or before diving in the pool.

When not using your vermeil pieces, remember to store them in an airtight container to prevent oxidation. To clean your jewelry, use a clean cotton or microfiber cloth to buff it gently. Don't be tempted to use chemical cleaners as they can easily strip the gold finish. The same care can be followed if you have a sparkly diamond name necklace.