Gold plated, gold filled, vermeil and solid gold: differences

They are four different things, and names vary by country. The difference lies in how much gold there is and over which metal.

Solid gold #

A gold alloy (14K, 18K…) throughout the piece. It does not wear off or lose a layer; it is the most durable and the most expensive.

Vermeil #

A thick layer of gold over sterling silver. In the US, the standard requires a layer at least 2.5 microns thick of 10K gold or better. It lasts longer than plating but still wears with use.

Gold filled #

A layer of gold bonded to a base metal with heat and pressure; in the US it must be at least 5% of the total weight. It is much thicker than plating and can last years of daily wear.

Gold plated #

A very thin layer of gold deposited by electrolysis over another metal. It is the cheapest and the one that wears off first.

Beware of names #

In some countries “gold laminated” is used for different things. Ask about the layer thickness and the base metal, and check the stamp for “GF”, “GP”, “EP” or “vermeil”.

See also #

• 14 karat or 18 karat gold: differences and which to choose
• Jewelry hallmarks and stamps: what 925, 750 or 585 mean
• Jewelry that does not tarnish or stain: which materials to choose