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Gold vermeil tarnishes and fades over time because the underlying sterling silver base oxidizes when exposed to air, moisture, and chemicals.
While gold itself doesn’t tarnish, the porous gold layer allows sulfur to reach the silver beneath, causing discoloration.
Gold vermeil isn’t waterproof and shouldn’t get wet when you can avoid it. Water seeps through the porous gold layer to the silver base, accelerating wear. With proper care, gold vermeil lasts 5-10 years or longer for occasional wear, though daily-worn pieces deteriorate much faster.
The minimum 2.5-micron gold thickness provides moderate durability, with thicker layers lasting longer.
To clean lightly tarnished vermeil, use warm water with mild dish soap and a soft cloth. For stubborn tarnish, use aluminum foil with baking soda sparingly, as it thins the gold plating through microscopic scratches.
- Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish? Does it Fade?
- Which Types of Gold Vermeil Tarnish the Most? And Which Tarnish the Least?
- Is Gold Vermeil Waterproof? Can it Get Wet?
- How Durable is Gold Vermeil? How Long Does it Last?
- How to Clean Tarnish of Gold Vermeil?
Take this quiz and test your knowledge on gold vermeil’s tarnishing properties.
Table of Contents
Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish? Does it Fade?
Yes, gold vermeil tarnishes and fades over time.
Gold vermeil tarnishes because the underlying sterling silver base oxidizes when exposed to air, moisture, and chemicals (like perfume or sweat).
Gold itself doesn’t tarnish, but the porous gold layer in vermeil jewelry allows sulfur in the air to reach the sterling silver silver, causing discoloration over time.
Daily wear, abrasion and skin acidity also wear down the gold coating and over time this exposes the silver base to further and faster tarnishing.
Below are the common substances that negatively affect the structural integrity of gold vermeil and cause it to tarnish and fade prematurely.
| Substance | Tarnish (Yes/No) |
|---|---|
| Water | Gold vermeil doesn't tarnish from water exposure. However, prolonged or repeated water exposure can cause the underlying silver to oxidize if water seeps through any microscopic gaps in the plating. |
| Fire | Fire can't directly tarnish gold vermeil, but the extreme heat can damage or even melt the jewelry since gold vermeil melts at relatively low temperatures (around 1,640°F for gold and 1,763°F for sterling silver). Additionally, intense heat causes the gold plating to separate from the silver base or change the metal's color and structural integrity. |
| Chlorine | Chlorine tarnishes and corrodes rose gold. The copper in rose gold makes it more susceptible to chlorine damage than other gold alloys. Chlorine reacts with the copper in the alloy and causes discoloration and structural weakening. I recommend you avoid going into chlorinated pools when wearing rose gold jewelry. |
| Bleach | Bleach is highly corrosive to gold vermeil and will quickly damage both the gold plating and the underlying sterling silver. |
| Baking soda | White gold doesn't tarnish when exposed to baking soda. In fact, baking soda is commonly used as a gentle cleaning agent for white gold jewelry to remove dirt and restore shine. |
| Toothpaste | Toothpaste is too abrasive for gold vermeil and can scratch or wear away the delicate gold plating, exposing the silver underneath. Exposed sterling silver will quickly lead to tarnishing and fading. |
| Vinegar | Vinegar's acidity damages gold vermeil by corroding the gold plating and tarnishing the underlying sterling silver, especially with prolonged exposure. |
| Hydrogen peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide can oxidize and tarnish the sterling silver base in gold vermeil, and may also degrade the gold plating over time with repeated exposure. |
| Lemon juice | Lemon juice is acidic and can corrode the gold plating on vermeil while also tarnishing the underlying sterling silver. |
| Makeup | Makeup dulls the shine of gold vermeil over time as cosmetics, foundations, and powders build up on the surface and may contain chemicals that react with the metals. |
| Nitric acid | Nitric acid is extremely corrosive and will rapidly dissolve gold vermeil, destroying both the gold plating and the sterling silver base almost immediately upon contact. This powerful acid is sometimes used to test gold purity precisely because it attacks metals so aggressively, so gold vermeil should never come anywhere near it. |
| Alcohol | Alcohol (like rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer) can gradually break down the gold plating on vermeil and may also cause the underlying silver to tarnish or discolor with repeated exposure. |
Hey, you’re reading about gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how to prevent it from happening and 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.
Which Types of Gold Vermeil Tarnish the Most? And Which Tarnish the Least?
Rose gold vermeil is the type of vermeil that tarnishes the most. White gold vermeil tarnishes the least compared to rose gold and yellow gold variants.
Rose gold vermeil tarnishes because of high copper content within the rose gold alloy.
White gold vermeil can fade in luster, but it doesn’t tarnish. It doesn’t tarnish because white gold is naturally tarnish resistant, and because rhodium plating further protects it. And rhodium doesn’t tarnish at all.
Note: the karatage of gold vermeil matters a lot when it comes to tarnishing.
For example, 18k gold vermeil tarnishes faster than 14k gold vermeil because it contains more pure gold than it. More pure gold (75% in 18k gold alloy) means the plating in vermeil is more prone to bruising and scratching which increases the risk of underlying sterling silver exposure.
However, 14k gold has more non-gold metals in its alloy which makes it more brittle than 18k gold. More brittleness means higher chance of the plating getting chipped and exposing the silver content underneath.
You have to take these things in consideration when shopping for gold vermeil jewelry.
Hey, you’re reading about gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how to prevent it from happening and 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.
Is Gold Vermeil Waterproof? Can it Get Wet?
No, gold vermeil isn’t waterproof. It can get wet, but it shouldn’t.
The gold layer over sterling silver is porous and water is able to seep through and reach the sterling sliver underneath. This is especially true with repeated exposure.
Frequent exposure to water, soap, and chemicals (like chlorine or lotions) causes the gold layer to wear away faster, revealing the sterling silver base. This obvisouly accelerates the undesirable tarnishing and fading effects.
Here’s a Reddit example of someone who’s gold vermeil ring partially lost its gold layer due to repeated water and shampoo exposure.
Note: your safest bet is to remove gold vermeil jewelry before showering, bathing, swimming or getting wet in general. This will ensure maximum longevity and save you money as you won’t have to replate your jewelry so often.
Hey, you’re reading about gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how to prevent it from happening and 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.
How Durable is Gold Vermeil? How Long Does it Last?
Gold vermeil is considered a moderately durable jewelry type.
The minimum gold thickness of 2.5 microns is thicker than standard gold plating and this enhances durability and strength. However, gold vermeil compares poorly to solid gold items in the strength and durability department.
Also, the thicker the gold layer, the longer the jewelry will maintain its appearance. Some high-quality vermeil pieces have a 5-micron gold layer or more, extending lifespan significantly.
Note: karatage of gold and wear frequency also influence how long gold vermeil jewelry will last.
For example, 18k gold offers a good balance of durability and rich color, whereas 14k gold is often too brittle and the plating made from is more easily damaged and chipped.
Furthermore, jewelry you wear every day, such as rings or bracelets, experiences more friction and contact with moisture, chemicals, and sweat. This accelerates wear and subsequent tarnishing.
But jewelry you wear only on special occasions occasionally will last you a long time, often 5-10 years or even longer.
Bottom line is that proper care significantly extends the life of gold vermeil. And buying quality jewelry with a thick plate gives you a nice head start as well.
See below more tips on removing tarnish and properly caring for your gold vermeil jewelry.
Hey, you’re reading about gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how to prevent it from happening and 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.
How to Clean Tarnish of Gold Vermeil?
To clean tarnished gold vermeil, gently wash with warm water mixed with a few drops of mild dish soap. Next, use a soft cloth or toothbrush to remove buildup. Pat dry with a microfiber cloth when you’re done.
Above advice is valid for lightly tarnished or faded gold vermeil jewelry with not a lot of gold plate flaking.
For heavy, more stubborn tarnish you can line a bowl with aluminum foil (shiny side up), place your jewelry inside, cover with baking soda, and pour hot water over it.
Let it sit for 1-2 minutes max, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
Use this method sparingly as baking soda thins out gold plating by making numerous microscopic scratches in it. It also speed up the flaking process in an already compromised gold vermeil item.
Hey, you’re reading about gold vermeil tarnishing properties, how to prevent it from happening and 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.
Does Gold Vermeil Tarnish and Fade? Is it Waterproof? How Durable is Gold Vermeil and How Long Does it Last? Conclusion
Gold vermeil tarnishes and fades over time because the underlying sterling silver oxidizes when exposed to air, moisture, and chemicals like perfume or sweat (given the gold layer is porous).
Gold vermeil can get wet, but it isn’t waterproof, and frequent water/chemical exposure accelerates wear. With proper, occasional use, gold vermeil can last 5-10 years, with thicker gold plating providing more durability and longer lasting protection.
Rose gold vermeil tarnishes the most due to its copper content, while white gold vermeil tarnishes the least due to rhodium plating.
To clean gold vermeil use warm water and mild dish soap. The baking soda and aluminum foil method can be used sparingly for stubborn tarnish.
References:
- Gold Vermeil ring is growing a lot of speckles- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/gu8i9t/gold_vermeil_ring_is_growing_a_lot_of_speckles/
- Gold vermeil peeled off- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/1jkhnsj/gold_vermeil_peeled_off/
- Has anyone tried jewelry made from recycled gold vermeil? How long does this hold up?- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelrylove/comments/1pk9x9o/has_anyone_tried_jewelry_made_from_recycled_gold/
- 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/
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.
