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14k gold vermeil is jewelry made by electroplating a thick layer of 14 karat gold (minimum thickness of 2.5 microns) onto sterling silver.
This process creates durable, tarnish-resistant pieces that look like solid gold, but are much more affordable.
14k gold vermeil is hypoallergenic and non-magnetic due to its precious metal composition. It can get wet, but avoid chlorinated water to prevent tarnish and 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.
- What is 14k Gold Vermeil (Definition and Meaning)?
- Is 14k Gold Vermeil Hypoallergenic?
- Is 14k Gold Vermeil Magnetic?
- Does 14k Gold Vermeil Tarnish?Â
- Can 14k Gold Vermeil Get Wet? Is it Waterproof? Can You Shower With it and Does Water Turns 14k Gold Vermeil Green?
- How Long Does 14k Gold Vermeil Last? Can You Wear it Every Day?
- Is All 14k Gold Plated Over Sterling Silver Vermeil?
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 sterling silver base.
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.
Here’re some examples of gold vermeil jewelry for you to see how it’s indistinguishable from solid gold jewelry.
Hey, you’re reading about 14k gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how waterproof, durable and long-lasting this jewelry type is.
Check this out next when you’re done!
It’s some crucial info you need to have, especially if you’re a proud American curious about investing in gold and other precious metals.
Is 14k Gold Vermeil Hypoallergenic?
Yes, 14k gold vermeil is hypoallergenic. This means it’s safe for most people to wear.
14k gold isn’t allergenic because it’s mostly 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 can cause problems in sensitive people, especially if the alloy contains nickel (highly allergenic) and copper (moderately allergenic).
Copper is unavoidable because it’s added to gold to strengthen it. But there’s no room for nickel in a 14k gold alloy, especially if you pick quality over affordability.
The bottom line is that your 14k gold jewelry is probably safe, but you should still be careful with it if you have known metal sensitivities.
Note: I mentioned above that copper and especially nickel allergies are the main problem for people with sensitive skin. Allergies to pure gold are also possibly, though extremely rare compared to nickel allergies.
Whilst doing my research I found someone who clearly state they’re allergic to gold in their jewelry, but not to nickel which was also present.
This is weird and an anomaly as almost everyone else has the opposite allergic reaction. Nickel allergies are so much more common as they affect 15-20% of the global population.
And gold allergies are so rare than many scientists think they don’t even exist. And that reported cases are just allergies to nickel-contaminated gold, and not to clinically pure, refined gold (.999 gold).
Hey, you’re reading about 14k gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how waterproof, durable and long-lasting this jewelry type is.
Check this out next when you’re done!
It’s some crucial info you need to have, especially if you’re a proud American curious about investing in gold and other precious metals.
Is 14k Gold Vermeil Magnetic?
No, 14k gold vermeil isn’t magnetic, it’s diamagnetic.Â
14k gold is diamagnetic because both sterling silver base and pure gold within the 14k gold alloy (58.3%%) are diamagnetic.
41.7% of other metals within 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.
Bottom line is that you have fake gold on your hands if your 14k gold jewelry is attracted to magnets.
Does 14k Gold Vermeil Tarnish?Â
Yes, 14k gold vermeil tarnishes and fades over time.
14k gold vermeil tarnishes because the underlying sterling silver base oxidizes when exposed to moisture, air and various chemicals.
These substances are able to tarnish the underlying silver because the 14k gold plate is relatively porous and air sulfur pushes through and reaches the sterling silver.
Also, daily wear, abrasion and skin acidity wear down the gold coating faster and over time this exposes the silver base to further tarnishing.
Below are the common substances that negatively affect the structural integrity of 14k gold vermeil and cause it to tarnish and fade prematurely.
| Substance | Tarnish (Yes/No) |
|---|---|
| Water | Pure water doesn't tarnish 14k gold vermeil. However, chemicals in water (chlorine, salt) and repeated moisture exposure can wear down the gold plating over time, exposing the silver base underneath which can tarnish. |
| Fire | Brief exposure to flame won't tarnish 14k gold vermeil, but high heat can damage or melt the thin gold plating and discolor or damage the sterling silver base. It's best to keep gold vermeil away from direct flames and extreme heat. |
| Chlorine | Chlorine damages 14k gold vermeil by breaking down the gold plating and causing the underlying sterling silver to tarnish. |
| Bleach | Bleach severely damages 14k gold vermeil by corroding the gold plating and tarnishing the sterling silver base. Always remove gold vermeil jewelry before using bleach or any cleaning products. |
| Baking soda | baking soda won't tarnish 14k gold vermeil, but abrasive scrubbing with it can scratch and wear away the thin gold plating. Use baking soda gently if cleaning, or avoid it altogether to preserve the plating. |
| Toothpaste | Toothpaste doesn't tarnish 14k gold vermeil, but it's abrasive and will scratch and wear down the thin gold plating over time. Avoid using toothpaste to clean gold vermeil jewelry. |
| Vinegar | Vinegar doesn't tarnish the gold layer itself, but prolonged exposure can damage the thin gold plating and tarnish the underlying sterling silver base. Avoid soaking gold vermeil in vinegar or acidic solutions. |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide won't tarnish 14k gold vermeil and is generally safe for brief contact. However, prolonged exposure could potentially affect the sterling silver base if the gold plating has any weak spots, so it's best to minimize contact. |
| Lemon juice | Lemon juice can damage 14k gold vermeil because its acidity can break down the gold plating and tarnish the sterling silver base. Avoid exposing gold vermeil to lemon juice or other acidic substances. |
| Makeup | Makeup won't tarnish 14k gold vermeil, but buildup of makeup, oils, and cosmetic chemicals dulls the shine and may accelerate plating wear over time. It's best to put jewelry on after applying makeup and clean it regularly with a soft cloth. |
| Nitric acid | Nitric acid will severely damage 14k gold vermeil by dissolving the gold plating and attacking the sterling silver base. Never expose gold vermeil jewelry to nitric acid or any strong acids. |
| Alcohol | Rubbing alcohol won't tarnish 14k gold vermeil and is generally safe for cleaning it. However, frequent use could potentially dry out or affect any gemstone settings or adhesives if present in the jewelry. |
Hey, you’re reading about 14k gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how waterproof, durable and long-lasting this jewelry type is.
Check this out next when you’re done!
It’s some crucial info you need to have, especially if you’re a proud American curious about investing in gold and other precious metals.
Can 14k Gold Vermeil Get Wet? Is it Waterproof? Can You Shower With it and Does Water Turns 14k Gold Vermeil Green?
Yes, 14k gold vermeil can get wet and you can shower with it without any problems. Your gold vermeil jewelry won’t turn green from shower water exposure provided the gold plating is in pristine condition.
However, it’s best not to shower with your 14k gold vermeil jewelry on if you can avoid it. Chlorinated water reacts with the metals (copper, nickel and zinc are especially vulnerable) in the 14k gold alloy and causes it to gradually pit and disintegrate.
Structurally weakened gold plate will then become overly porous and too much moisture will reach the sterling silver base under the gold plate.
The tarnishing process begins once that happens, parts of sterling silver turn green and degradation of gold plating greatly accelerates.
This is a long term process but if you know about it you can permanently prevent it by intentionally not showering your jewelry with chlorinated water.
Here’s an example of 14k gold vermeil hoops that the owner showered with and that have started to adopt a faint greenish tint, especially on the edges from the inside.
It’s hard to see, but it’s clearly there.
How Long Does 14k Gold Vermeil Last? Can You Wear it Every Day?
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.
14k gold vermeil is susceptible to wear and tarnishing from sweat, oils, chemicals, and continuous water exposure. So you must protect it from those substance to the best of your ability.
Next, wearing the piece daily causes the gold layer to wear down quicker. This is especially true in areas that experience a lot of friction while being worn A good example is a ring made of 14k gold.
Note: different types of vermeil last longer or shorter depending on their gold alloys. For example, rhodium-coated 14k white gold vermeil is going to last significantly longer than both yellow gold and rose gold vermeils.
This is because rhodium is a very hard and durable noble metal that’ s also immune to tarnishing. So it takes a lot for a 14k white gold vermeil to show obvious wear and tear.
Here’s an example of a badly damaged rhodium coated white gold vermeil ring.
On the other hand, rose gold vermeil lasts shorter than both white gold and yellow gold vermeils.
It’s because copper within the rose gold alloy oxidizes just from being exposed to air oxygen and this is something you can’t avoid as in vermeil rose gold is on the surface and above sterling silver.
Any piece of 14k rose gold jewelry will first patinate, before progressing to full blown tarnish.
Note: there’s variability in tarnishing speed even among vermeil jewelry made from the same gold alloy.
Here’s someone complaining they only wore their gold vermeil earrings two times before they started to horribly tarnish.
And here’s the opposite example of someone who’s had their gold plated earrings (they don’t say if it’s vermeil) for full eight years without them tarnishing even a bit.
Hey, you’re reading about 14k gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how waterproof, durable and long-lasting this jewelry type is.
Check this out next when you’re done!
It’s some crucial info you need to have, especially if you’re a proud American curious about investing in gold and other precious metals.
Is All 14k Gold Plated Over Sterling Silver Vermeil?
No, not all 14k gold plated over sterling silver is considered vermeil. To be classified as gold vermeil, the piece must meet specific, strict standards: a sterling silver base, at least 10k gold, and a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns.
It’s not true vermeil if the gold plating is thinner than 2.5 microns. Then it’s simply 14k gold-plated sterling silver.
There’s also 14k gold filled jewelry where a thick layer of 14k gold is mechanically bonded to a brass or copper core.
14k gold filled jewelry contains 5% (1/20) gold by weight, making it hundreds of times thicker than gold plating and true gold vermeil.
Hey, you’re reading about 14k gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how waterproof, durable and long-lasting this type of jewelry is.
Check this out next when you’re done!
It’s some crucial info you need to have, especially if you’re a proud American curious about investing in gold and other precious metals.
What is 14k Gold Vermeil? Is it Real Gold? Conclusion
14k gold vermeil is jewelry created by electroplating a thick layer of 14 karat gold (minimum 2.5 microns) onto a sterling silver base. This process makes it a durable, tarnish-resistant, hypoallergenic, and non-magnetic alternative to solid gold, offering a similar look at a lower cost.
While it can get wet, avoiding chlorinated water is recommended for longevity, and longevity ranges from a few years to even decades depending on thickness and care.
Variations like white and rose gold vermeil are also available and popular.
References:
- 14k gold vermeil- https://wanderlustandco.com/collections/14k-gold-vermeil
- Why Choose 14K Gold Vermeil Jewelry: Your Ultimate Guide- https://thepinkswanshop.com/blogs/trends/why-choose-14k-gold-vermeil-jewelry-your-ultimate-guide
- Possible to be allergic to real 14k gold (no nickel)? From Mejuri- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/rpydif/possible_to_be_allergic_to_real_14k_gold_no/
- Gold vermeil hoops tarnished after one wear – is this normal?- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/1jy9u39/gold_vermeil_hoops_tarnished_after_one_wear_is/
- 14k Gold vermeil peeled off- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/1jkhnsj/gold_vermeil_peeled_off/
- What are these dark spots on my new 14k white gold ring?- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/1dcs3hb/what_are_these_dark_spots_on_my_new_14k_white/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
