Three pieces can look identical in a photo and last anywhere from six months to a lifetime. The difference is how much actual gold sits on the surface.
The three tiers
- Gold-plated: a micro-thin layer (often 0.5 microns) over brass. Affordable, great for trend pieces, but fades with friction and sweat.
- Gold-filled / vermeil: a far thicker bonded layer — vermeil requires 2.5 microns of gold over sterling silver. Lasts years with care.
- Solid gold: 9k, 14k or 18k throughout. Never fades, can be repaired and resized, holds resale value.
How to choose
Buy plated for statement pieces you'll wear occasionally. Buy vermeil or gold-filled for chains and hoops you wear weekly. Buy solid gold for anything that never leaves your body — a wedding band, a daily pendant, first-hole earrings.
Making plated jewelry last
Remove it before showers and workouts, wipe it after wearing, and store it dry. Plating survives contact with skin far better than it survives water and chemicals.
Compare finishes across the collection at BLYN.