Gold plated jewelry: vermeil VS plating, cost & most durable

Today we are explaining everything you need to know about Gold plated jewelry and what you should buy in order for your jewelry to last longer! We wanted to share the realities behind the practice of Gold Plating and why we, at Fine+Flux, do not create any gold-plated jewelry.

“Durable” Gold Plated Jewelry
Gold plated jewelry is made to be thrown out eventually. However, some types of gold plated jewelry can last longer than others. The first thing you should look for when shopping for gold plated jewelry is the base material. Base materials are usually either copper, brass, sterling silver, or stainless steel. There are two factors to consider when looking at the base material: Oxidation & hardness.

Oxidation:
Oxidation is the material’s chemical reaction to air. This process changes the color of the metal. When using Copper, Brass, and Silver, Oxidation will appear through the gold plating changing the color of the Gold. However, stainless steel does not oxidize and therefore, is a better choice of base metal than others.

Hardness:
Much like with gemstones, the hardness of a metal determines its durability for long-term use. When wearing a ring that scratches easily, this will cause the gold plating to come off much faster. Mohs Scale of Hardness shows that Stainless Steel is the hardest metal compared to Copper, Brass, and Sterling Silver.

If Gold Plating is an option you are seriously looking into, make sure the base material is sterling silver with the thickest layer of Gold possible. This does not mean your jewelry will last forever, however, it ensures it will last longer.

Types of Plating

1. Flash Plating
Flash plating is the cheapest and thinnest type of plating, making it the least durable. We would never recommend you buy this type of jewelry.

2. Plating
There are different levels of thicknesses in Plating which are measured in Microns. 1 micron is equivalent to 0.001mm. The thicker is obviously the better, and this is the type of plating we would mostly recommend if you.

3. Vermeil Plating
Vermeil Plating is often perceived as a luxurious form of plating; however, the truth is quite the opposite. Vermeil plating can only be done on silver, which like we previously explained, is perhaps the worst base material you can use for gold plating.

In the U.S., the minimum layer of Vermeil plating required is 2.5 microns, whereas in Canada, the minimum is 1 micron. Therefore, finding out where your jewelry was manufactured is essential!

Cost
In the jewelry industry, mark ups are to be expected which is why many people do not realize how cheap silver is. An average ring is generally 2 grams. 2 grams of silver is actually only worth around 8 dollars. However, if you buy a gold-plated silver ring, you’ll find yourself paying 75-150 for a ring that will essentially go bad in a few months to a year.

Replating a piece of jewelry will end up being more expensive, therefore, if you are looking for a long-term piece of jewelry, perhaps look into alternative options.

If Gold Plating is an option you are seriously looking into, make sure the base material is sterling silver with the thickest layer of Gold possible. This does not mean your jewelry will last forever, however, it ensures it will last longer.

Montreal, Canada 45.501689-73.567256

Fine and Flux Jewelry is a jewelry brand that specializes in custom design and engagement rings. We create all our jewelry in-house, in a homely studio downtown Montreal, Canada, free shipping worldwide!
We create all our jewelry videos to entertain and educate you so you have a better understanding on how it's made, how to make an educated purchase, and also what to look out for.
Do not try anything you see in these videos at home.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Best base metals to use
01:35 Metals that oxidize (tarnish) to avoid
02:55 Metal hardness = durability
04:17 Types of plating: vermeil, flash, microns, filled
06:21 Vermeil thickness based on location
07:41 Cost of fashion jewelry vs solid gold
11:12 Fast fashion, sustainability

[lachainesansnompourlinstant]

Eye opening and not sugar coated. Thank you so much!

[samidunlap]

This was so helpful. Was looking at a (very lovely) necklace at a small shop, priced at nearly $300 to find out it was gold plated. The chain was so thin it would have broken so quickly. These dainty, tiny pieces being upcharged so much is insane, and this is so helpful for knowing what to pay.

[TheRealChandlers]

This video deserves way more views than 800! Very well done, organized, professional and straight facts 👍🏽

[francesy.]

Really enjoyed the video! Thanks for the honest explanation of the products in the market

[ArmandCury]

You and this video are genial. An excellent explanation and the finest one.
You explain with class, elegance and all the scientifical and business facts.

[antarjyotiantarjyoti]

looks like the most realistic raw ( and not gold plated! ) informations on the subject! thank you!

[patisan]

Really enjoyed the video! Would love it if you could talk about PVD coating as I’ve seen a lot of these type of jewellery and would like to understand its value a bit more ❤

[entertainmentark]

You are making a lot of efforts making videos, right from editing, preparation, thumbnails and the views are not as good. Keep going on. Don't ever give up. You might just hit a million some day. I know it is not your style, but since you have the means and pulls, go for a flashy thumbnail, pull in some crazy content. Like something which everyone would be curious to watch. Some expensive stone or flashy jewellery, make the editing crisp and make the video dynamic, not a fixed camera focused on one thing. I wish you the best.❤

[ricketyrock]

Interesting video with good information about the business of gold plated jewelry. Thank you for sharing.

[michaeladejumo]

absolutely great video... Every second had the information I was looking for

[JH-kwzy]

I make my own brass jewelry and i will recommend microcrystalline wax to coat (you will have to reapply) costume or brass/copper that oxidizes green on the skin. It protects and prolongs gold plated jewelry. But I will say, I plan on investing in fine gold jewelry pieces bc I know very well that plating is a crock.

[suppulori]

There is one very curiosity fulled question i have. If you answer that.
Nowdays on instagram we are finding gold plated anti tarnish products. How this happens?? Cz at one point the base metal come up. So how anti tarnish products durability changes?? Please enlighten me 😊

[zilfi]

Thank you for the video. I read that titanium steel is more durable than stainless steel. Is that true ?

[lzdmlky]

Very informative video, thank you!

I have wanted a tennis bracelet for a long, long time, but real ones cost thousands of dollars. I was seriously considering buying an 18K Gold Vermeil tennis bracelet made by Pavoi. I would not wear it daily. I would wear it for no more than 2 hours at a time maybe 4X a month for Church, and then that would only be for about 5, maybe 6 months out of the year. How long do you think it would last?

One metal you did not mention is bronze. What do you think of bronze for jewellery?

Thanks, Ms. Flux!

[suppulori]

Very much helping dear.. 😊 Thank you for this video ❤❤❤

[Mysteryp]

hello,
question. rhodium silver plating vs platinum playting vs palladium plating vs plain stein silver. which last longer and better? please

[sylviaroyall]

@DominiqueFlux This is a wonderful and informative video. Very well done! Thank you for making and sharing it. What are your thoughts on stainless steel jewelry with gold PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) plating?

[JoeJames-sg]

Hi - If a brand is selling 316L stainless steel 18k gold plated jewellery, what can I expect for the longevity of this piece?

[georgewarner]

Not that I’m disagreeing on the concept in the cost section…but just as a quick side note…for educational reasons…copper is the next most expensive metal below silver…and it’s anywhere from $3-4 a pound vs silver $1-2 per gram… so I agree that silver (especially gold plated) is marked up… but if price of metals is…take that for what it’s worth. Also, some of the cost has to go into the cost of making it…but that cost should be the same regardless of which non steel base metals are used…with stainless steel there are probably different procedures due to its hardness and super high melting temperatures. I’m not sure what my point is…but just something to think about. Good video!

[smalsaghier]

hey, what are your thoughts about gold plated with titanium steel metal base?