You Ask, We Listen: All your Gold Vermeil questions answered.

One of the questions we get most frequently asked is: " what is gold vermeil, what is the difference with gold plated, and how long will it last? " Today, we'll break down to you what the terms "gold vermeil" and "gold plated" mean, what are the differences and how you can take care of your gold vermeil jewellery.

What is Gold Vermeil?

Gold Vermeil, also known as gold gilt, is a legally regulated term that refers to a certain kind of quality jewellery. To call a piece of jewellery "vermeil" it has to meet all 3 conditions below:

1. ​Have a nickel-free sterling silver material base. Sterling silver is an alloy made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other materials.
2. Be plated in 10ct gold at least. All our gold vermeil pieces are plated in 18ct gold, This means that gold is at 75% pure gold content.
3. Have gold plating that is at least 1.5 micron. A micron is 1/1000th of a millimetre.

All vermeil jewellery is made by first creating the base of the item out of sterling silver and then plating it with a layer of gold. This process is called "electroplating" or electrolysis". We then add a special Vernis base that ensures that the plating will last longer and keep the piece shiny.

Is Gold Vermeil hypoallergenic?

If you are wearing gold vermeil​, you shouldn't worry about allergic reactions. All gold vermeil jewellery is required by law to be nickel-free. Nickel and heavy metals in general, can be the main reason for allergic reactions and turning jewellery "green". Apart from that, all Galleria Armadoro pieces are nickel, cadmium and lead-free, certified by the global organisation REACH, which makes them 100% hypoallergenic. So, our gold vermeil earrings, are suitable for sensitive ears.

Can Gold Vermeil get wet?

This is one of the questions that Dimitra gets asked the most on Instagram. The answer is yes and no. Gold vermeil can get wet. There is absolutely no fear that your jewellery will turn "green" as it happens with cheap-based materials. However, contact with soap, water or other chemicals can speed up the wear off process and cause the gold layer to fade sooner. Harsh chemicals, such as pool water, for instance, can ruin the gold plate right away.

But, even if your jewellery needs a little touch-up, we got you! We offer a forever free replating service. All you have to do is ship your jewellery back to us and we will relate them and ship them back to you at no extra cost. You can contact our Customer Service for more info.

How durable is gold vermeil?

Gold vermeil's durability depends on several factors. The most important is what kind of gold is used for the plating process and the quality of the plating process itself.

At Galleria Armadoro we use the highest gold quality, at 18ct, and a special varnish coating that ensures extra shine and durability. The more you take care of your jewellery, the longer it will be brand new. Having said that, earrings will last longer than rings for example.

How to take care of your gold vermeil jewellery

• Always remove your gold vermeil jewellery when applying scent, lotions and potions, even better, always put your jewellery on last when getting dressed.
• Never wear your gold vermeil jewellery in the shower or when swimming. Chlorine especially at high temperatures can permanently damage or discolour your gold vermeil jewellery.
• When storing a piece, remove any excess dirt or oil by wiping it down with a soft cloth before you put it away.
• Gold vermeil jewellery needs light or it oxidises, so the best way to conserve your jewellery is wearing it, no need to keep it in the drawer.

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