Without an legally compulsory hallmark, gold vermeil jewelry is often mistaken for other types of gold pieces, especially gold-plated jewelry.

Continue reading to learn how to identify gold vermeil jewelry and highlight its unique features.

Is Gold Vermeil Worth Anything?

Yes, gold vermeil holds high value. Gold vermeil jewelry is made of sterling silver base metal and a thick layer of gold, which are both precious metals.

Also, the gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick, which is at least 5 times thicker than most gold plating(it means much more real gold is used). This makes gold vermeil pieces retain their color and luster for 12-24 months efficiently. Gold vermeil jewelry is highly water resistant.

Does Gold Vermeil Have a Hallmark?

Gold vermeil does not have a compulsory hallmark, but legally it has to be made of a sterling silver base + a minimum 2.5-micron gold layer on the outside. While there is no universal “vermeil” stamp, many manufacturers mark their pieces with hallmarks that indicate the sterling silver base, such as “925”, “Sterling Silver”, or “S925” — meaning the metal is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% alloyed metals.

You may also find other helpful markings:

• “925” or “Sterling” → Confirms the base is sterling silver.
• Karat stamps like “10k”,“14k” or “18k” may appear alongside “925” → showing it’s gold over silver, not solid gold.

How Can You Tell If Gold is Vermeil?

To check if a gold color piece is vermeil or not, these are the 3 major things to look out for:

Longevity

Authentic gold vermeil is built to last. It should maintain its full color for at least 1-2 year, even with occasional exposure to water during daily wear. Thanks to its thick gold layer over a sterling silver base, true vermeil should not fade, tarnish, or discolor under normal use.

Examine the Color and Shine

Gold vermeil often has a rich, warm gold tone because of its thicker gold layer. Unlike cheap plating, the color tends to last longer and not wear off quickly. If you notice silver peeking through on worn areas, it’s a sign of vermeil rather than solid gold.

Lab Testing

The most direct way to confirm gold vermeil is through a thorough lab test using a Fischerscope XRF (X-ray fluorescence), a non-destructive method that accurately reads the metal’s composition.

In the standard testing process, there will be 3 spots chosen randomly on the jewelry piece for testing thickness of the applied gold layer. And the average of the 3 readings must be a minimum of 2.5 microns . Highly uneven thickness or readings below this specification indicate that it’s not gold vermeil.

Some irresponsible manufcturers/suppliers might define the 2.5 microns as the total sums of all plating layer including silver, palladium, e-coating…. hence the real gold layer might be much thinner than imagined.

Finally, beware of the gold karat, which should be at least 10K. If the gold purity is lower than this, the jewelry does not qualify as vermeil. The most common karats are 10k, 14k, 18k, and 24k.

Key Takeaway

Knowing which jewelry is gold vermeil is very important, as this will help you make an informed decision in choosing the best jewelry for your needs. To get the best piece, it’s advisable you contact a professional gold vermeil jewelry manufacturer with years of experience.