What is 14k Gold Vermeil? Is it Real Gold? — Everything You Can Learn About Precious Metals

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14k gold vermeil is jewelry made by electroplating a thick layer of 14 karat gold (minimum 2.5 microns) onto sterling silver.

This process creates durable, tarnish-resistant pieces that look like solid gold at a lower cost. It’s hypoallergenic and non-magnetic due to its precious metal composition. While it can get wet, avoiding chlorinated water prevents long-term damage.

The lifespan ranges from years to decades depending on gold layer thickness, wear frequency, and care. Variations include white gold vermeil (using white gold coating) and rose gold vermeil (using rose gold coating), both offering affordable alternatives to solid gold jewelry.

Table of Contents

What is 14k Gold Vermeil (Definition and Meaning)?

14k gold vermeil is high-quality jewelry made by electroplating a thick layer of 14 karat gold (minimum thickness of 2.5 microns) onto a base of sterling silver.

This process binds gold to silver and creates a durable and tarnish-resistant finish that offers the luxurious appearance and feel of solid gold at a more affordable price point.

Is 14k Gold Vermeil Hypoallergenic?

Yes, 14k gold vermeil is hypoallergenic.

14k gold isn’t allergenic because it’s made from two precious metals: a thick layer of 14k gold over a base of 92.5% pure sterling silver. Pure gold isn’t allergenic and sterling silver is hypoallergenic as well.

41.7% of other metals in the 14k gold alloy could potentially cause problems in sensitive people, especially if the alloy contains nickel (highly allergenic) and copper (moderately hypoallergenic).

Be careful with 14k gold vermeil if you have known metal sensitivities.

Is 14k Gold Vermeil Magnetic?

No, 14k gold vermeil isn’t magnetic. Instead, it’s diamagnetic because both sterling silver base and pure gold within the 14k gold alloy (58.3%%) are diamagnetic.

41.7% of other metals with the 14k gold alloy are copper, silver, zinc, or nickel. Copper and zinc are diamagnetic, while nickel is ferromagnetic. However, the amount of nickel in 14k gold vermeil is too low to cause a magnetic reaction.

Can 14k Gold Vermeil Get Wet? Can You Shower With it? Will it Turn Green?

Yes, 14k gold can get wet and you can shower with it without any problems. Your gold vermeil jewelry won’t turn green from shower water exposure.

However, while you can, it’s best not to shower with your 14k gold vermeil. It’s because chlorinated water reacts with the metals (copper, nickel and zinc are especially vulnerable) in the 14k gold alloy and causes it to pit and disintegrate.

This is a long term process but if you know about it you can permanently prevent it by not showering your jewelry with chlorinated water.

Note: damaged gold vermeil plate will significantly accelerate the tarnishing process and then sterling silver can turn green upon prolonged water exposure.

How Long Does 14k Gold Vermeil Last?

14k gold vermeil can last anywhere from a few years to several decades, with the exact lifespan depending on the thickness of the gold layer (thicker plating= longer life), how frequently it’s worn, and the care it receives.

With proper care, it can last for years without fading, but it is susceptible to wear and tarnishing from sweat, oils, chemicals, and continuous water exposure.

Wearing the piece daily, especially on areas that experience friction like a ring, will cause the gold layer to wear down more quickly.

What is 14k White Gold Vermeil?

White gold vermeil is jewelry that’s made of a sterling silver base coated with a thick (minimum 2.5 microns) layer of white gold.

White gold vermeil is similar to yellow gold vermeil, but the difference is that the coating over sterling silver base is made from white gold, and not yellow gold, including 14k gold.

Note: white gold is an alloy of 75% pure yellow gold and 25% white metals like silver, platinum, palladium, or nickel.

Jewelers add these white metals to yellow gold to give it exclusive look and to increase white gold jewelry’s durability.

Rhodium coated is also commonly added to white gold to improve it’s look and durability.

What is 14k Rose Gold Vermeil?

Rose gold vermeil is a type of gold jewelry where a base of sterling silver is coated with a thick layer of rose gold.

To be considered rose gold vermeil, the rose gold layer must be at least 10k purity and have a thickness of at least 2.5 microns.

Electroplating rose gold onto sterling silver creates jewelry that looks like solid rose gold, but is much more affordable.

What is 14k Gold Vermeil? Is it Real Gold? Conclusion