Gold Vermeil (pronounced ver-mey) is Sterling Silver which has been coated with 2.5 microns of 14k gold plate (which means its super thick and longer lasting!). It strikes the perfect balance of high quality at an affordable price – making it ideal for those, who just like us, are looking for “affordable luxury”.

Using the highest quality materials and process, Gold Vermeil is far more durable than other gold plated options and can last for years. However, if worn continuously (especially rings) the gold plate can start to wear away after 6 months and so we do not recommend wearing your gold vermeil pieces every day and to always remove when washing or swimming.

To be classified as Vermeil, three important standards must be met: 

The mixture of the base metal must contain 92.5 percent sterling silver or fine 99.9 percent silver.

The thickness of the gold coating must be at least 2.5 microns.

The gold purity needs to be at least 10 karats.

Gold Vermeil is the perfect option for those with metal allergies due to the durable thickness of the gold plus the base of sterling silver which is known to react far less with sensitive skin than other metal bases such as copper and nickel.

The process of creating Gold Vermeil involves electrolysis. Essentially, Sterling Silver gets coated in a surface layer of gold. The electrolysis process ensures that a thick, continuous coat is applied around the base metal.

To maintain the stunning Gold Vermeil finish for as long as possible, please follow our recommendations for care:

Remove jewellery when washing your hands, showering or swimming because water and chemicals (especially chlorine) can affect the longevity of the gold coating. This is especially important for rings, as they suffer wear and tear much more than other jewellery types since we use our hands for everything we do.

Put your jewellery on last when getting ready as makeup, perfume, hairspray, and lotions can affect the beauty and shine of your Gold Vermeil

To clean your jewellery and restore its shine we recommend that you use a jewellery polishing cloth to gently rub the surface. Do not use a polishing agent or abrasive liquids as these will wear away the layers of gold

Store your treasured pieces safely in a dry, fabric lined jewellery box (your original Carrie Elizabeth box is perfect!) or a soft fabric pouch.

If possible, store each piece individually to prevent any tangling or scratching.