Not All Gold Coatings Are Equal
When shopping for gold jewelry, you will encounter terms like gold vermeil and gold plated alongside solid gold options. Understanding what these terms mean — and how they differ from each other and from solid gold — helps you make informed purchasing decisions and set accurate expectations.
Solid Gold
- What it is: Gold all the way through. 10K (41.7% gold), 14K (58.3% gold), or 18K (75% gold) throughout the entire piece
- Durability: Does not wear off, tarnish, or change color. The gold is structural, not a coating
- Maintenance: Minimal. Occasional cleaning restores shine. No replating needed — ever
- Price: Most expensive option. The price reflects the actual gold content
- Best for: Investment pieces, engagement rings, daily-wear jewelry that needs to last decades
Gold Vermeil
- What it is: A thick layer of gold (minimum 2.5 microns by FTC standard) over sterling silver. The base metal is always .925 sterling silver
- Durability: Better than standard gold plating due to thicker gold layer and quality base metal. The gold layer will eventually wear through with daily use (typically 1-3 years depending on wear)
- Maintenance: Moderate. Avoid water, chemicals, and sweat when possible. Store in anti-tarnish bags
- Price: Moderate. More expensive than gold plated, much less expensive than solid gold
- Best for: Fashion jewelry, pieces you wear occasionally, building a collection affordably
Gold Plated
- What it is: A thin layer of gold (typically 0.5-1.0 microns) over a base metal (often brass, copper, or steel). No minimum thickness or base metal requirements
- Durability: The thin gold layer wears off relatively quickly with regular wear (weeks to months). The base metal underneath may tarnish or cause skin reactions
- Maintenance: High. Must avoid all water, chemicals, and extended skin contact. The plating is temporary by nature
- Price: Least expensive gold-colored option
- Best for: Costume jewelry, trend pieces, very occasional wear
Bijolina's Approach
At Bijolina, we sell solid gold (10K and 14K) and sterling silver. What you see described is what you get — real precious metals with real precious stones. No plating, no coating, no misleading descriptions.