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What is white gold vermeil?
How valuable is white gold vermeil jewelry?
Is white gold vermeil jewelry the same as white gold-plated?
What are all the types of white gold vermeil?
Find out right below!
Test your knowledge on white gold vermeil by taking this quiz. Do it after you’ve read my guide.
What is White Gold Vermeil (Meaning and Definition)?
White gold vermeil is jewelry that’s composed of a sterling silver base coated with a thick (minimum 2.5 microns) layer of white gold.
White gold is a popular gold alloy made of pure, yellow gold and other white metals like silver, palladium, or nickel.
You can buy white gold vermeil rings, necklaces, chains, bracelets, earring, pendants, wedding bands, broches and even tableware, both online and offline.
Is White Gold Vermeil Jewelry Hypoallergenic or Allergenic?
White gold vermeil isn’t hypoallergenic. It’s allergenic. White gold is an alloy of yellow gold (yellow gold is safe and hypoallergenic) and white metals such as silver, platinum, palladium and nickel.
Silver and especially nickel are common allergenic metals and they make white gold vermeil unsuitable for people with sensitive skin and known metal allergies.
White gold plated with rhodium isn’t allergenic because rhodium is a hypoallergenic noble metal.
Is White Gold Vermeil Jewelry Magnetic?
No, white gold vermeil isn’t magnetic.
White gold vermeil isn’t magnetic because yellow gold isn’t magnetic. And because most other metals yellow gold is alloyed with to make white gold vermeil don’t magnetize.
For example, yellow gold is commonly alloyed with zinc (which isn’t magnetic), silver (silver isn’t magnetic), platinum (platinum isn’t magnetic), (palladium isn’t magnetic), (rhodium isn’t magnetic) and nickel.
One notable exception is nickel, which is magnetic. But, the amount of nickel in white gold vermeil alloy isn’t enough to elicit a strong magnetic response.
Pro tip: you can use a magnet to test whether white gold vermeil is real or fake. Try to attract your white gold vermeil item to a strong neodymium magnet.
You’ve authentic white gold vermeil on your hands if the experiment fails.
Does White Gold Vermeil Tarnish? Can You Shower With it?
No, white gold vermeil doesn’t tarnish when it’s protected by a non-tarnishing rhodium plating.
However, white gold vermeil over time and with regular wear and tear loses its sheen and luster and fades to a natural pale yellow color.
This fading and discoloration happen because the rhodium plating that gives white gold vermeil its bright white appearance wears away, revealing the natural gold alloy underneath.
Below are all the potential tarnishing-causing substances and their effect on white gold vermeil jewelry items.
- Fire. Fire and strong flames don’t tarnish white gold vermeil. However, strong flames damage thin rhodium plates on white gold vermeil and cause the plating to fall off and expose the underlying base metal.
- Water. White gold vermeil doesn’t tarnish in water. Water has zero effect on white gold and can’t tarnish or corrode it. Saltwater negatively affects white gold vermeil jewelry items, especially if the rhodium plating is damaged.
- Chlorine. Chlorine tarnishes white gold vermeil. Chlorine leach out metals from the white gold alloy leaving the whole item structurally weakened. However, you’d need to be spending hours every day in a pool of chlorinated water for this to happen. Or you’d need to shower daily while wearing your white gold vermeil jewelry.
- Hydrogen peroxide. White gold vermeil doesn’t tarnish when exposed to hydrogen peroxide. You can even use hydrogen peroxide to clean your white gold vermeil jewelry.
- Bleach. Bleach tarnishes white gold vermeil. This effect is minimal when the plating is intact. And it’s pronounced and quick when the rhodium plating is damaged or loosened up.
- Toothpaste. Toothpaste doesn’t tarnish white gold vermeil. However, the abrasive particles in toothpaste make tiny, microscopic scratches on the surface of the alloy. Over time this degrades the metal’s surface and causes it to develop a pale yellow color, instead of original white.
- Lemon juice. Lemon juice doesn’t tarnish white gold vermeil. It also doesn’t oxidize and corrode it. Lemon juice’s acids are unable to penetrate through rhodium plating on white gold vermeil jewelry items.
- Makeup. Makeup has no effect on white gold vermeil.
- Vinegar. Vinegar neither tarnishes not corrodes white gold vermeil with its rhodium plate intact. However, Vinegar’s acetic acid accelerates the degradation of already damaged rhodium plating.
- Alcohol. Alcohol doesn’t tarnish or corrode white gold vermeil. You can use rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) to clean your white gold vermeil jewelry.
- Nitric acid. Nitric acid doesn’t tarnish white gold vermeil. It also doesn’t oxidize and corrode it. Aqua Regia, a mixture of nitric acid and hydrochloric acid, will dissolve yellow gold within the white gold alloy.
White Gold Vermeil vs White Gold Plated Jewelry: Are They the Same?
No, white gold vermeil and white gold plated jewelry aren’t the same.
White gold vermeil is jewelry that’s composed of a sterling silver base coated with a thick, standardized (minimum 2.5 microns) layer of white gold (with minimum purity of 10k gold).
White gold plated jewelry can have different metal bases and the white gold coating’s thickness and purity aren’t standardized.
White Gold Vermeil vs Yellow Gold Vermeil- What’s the Difference?
White gold vermeil and yellow gold vermeil are similar, with some major differences.
The key difference between white gold vermeil and yellow gold vermeil is the color and composition of gold coating over sterling silver base.
White gold vermeil has a white gold plating over sterling silver base, whereas yellow gold vermeil has yellow gold coating over sterling base.
White gold coating in white gold vermeil is made from an alloy of yellow gold and whitish metals like, palladium, platinum zinc, nickel and rhodium.
Yellow gold coating in yellow gold vermeil is made from an alloy of yellow gold and other metals that give it strength and durability. Examples of such metals are copper, silver and zinc.
Yellow gold vermeil usually comes in 14k and 18k varieties, but other variants are also available.
Both white gold and rose gold vermeils are extremely popular with people who love jewelry.
| Comparison | White Gold Vermeil | Yellow Gold Vermeil |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Yellow gold + white metals like platinum, palladium, nickel and rhodium. Sterling silver base. | Yellow gold +copper, silver, zinc and nickel. |
| Color and tarnish resistance | White gold doesn't tarnish except when the rhodium plating is damaged. | Yellow gold vermeil tarnishes because of oxidizing copper. Silver within the gold alloy is also susceptible to tarnishing. |
| Durability and scratch resistance | White gold vermeil that's plated with rhodium is more durable and scratch resistant than yellow gold vermeil. It's because rhodium is a very hard metal. White gold without rhodium plating is still harder than yellow gold because both platinum and palladium are harder metals than copper. | Yellow gold vermeil is less durable and scratch- resistant than white gold vermeil. |
| Cost | White gold vermeil is more expensive than yellow gold vermeil because its constituent parts (gold, platinum and palladium) are more valuable than the constituent parts of yellow gold vermeil (gold, silver, copper and zinc). | Yellow gold vermeil is less expensive than white gold vermeil. |
| Skin tone compatibility | White gold best suits fair or cool-toned skin with blue or pink undertones. | The best skin tone for rose gold vermeil is a warm skin tone or neutral undertone. |
| Hypoallergenic properties | White gold vermeil is allergenic. | Rose gold vermeil is hypoallergenic to people without copper sensitivities, and allergenic to people sensitive to copper. |
White Gold Vermeil vs Rose Gold Vermeil- What are the Differences?
White gold vermeil and rose gold vermeil are similar, with some major differences.
The key difference between white gold vermeil and rose gold vermeil is the color and composition of gold coating over sterling silver.
White gold vermeil has a white gold plating over sterling silver base, whereas rose gold vermeil has rose gold coating over sterling silver base.
White gold coating in white gold vermeil is made from an alloy of yellow gold and whitish metals like palladium, platinum, nickel, zinc and rhodium.
And rose gold vermeil is composed of yellow gold, lots of copper and a small amount of silver for added shine, strength and durability.
Both types of vermeils are extremely popular with people who love jewelry.
| Comparison | White Gold Vermeil | Rose Gold Vermeil |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Yellow gold + white metals like platinum, palladium, nickel and rhodium. Sterling silver base. | Yellow gold + copper in rose gold plating. Sterling silver base. |
| Color and tarnish resistance | White gold doesn't tarnish except when the rhodium plating is damaged. | Rose gold vermeil tarnishes because of oxidizing copper. Sterling silver is susceptible to tarnishing too. |
| Durability and scratch resistance | White gold vermeil that's plated with rhodium is more durable and scratch resistant than rose gold vermeil. It's because rhodium is a very hard metal. White gold without rhodium plating is still harder than rose gold because both platinum and palladium are harder metals than copper. | Rose gold vermeil is less durable and scratch- resistant than white gold vermeil. |
| Cost | White gold vermeil is more expensive than rose gold vermeil because its constituent parts (gold, platinum and palladium) are more valuable than the constituent parts of rose gold (gold and copper). | Rose gold vermeil is less expensive than white gold vermeil. |
| Skin tone compatibility | White gold best suits fair or cool-toned skin with blue or pink undertones. | The best skin tone for rose gold vermeil is a warm skin tone or neutral undertone. |
| Hypoallergenic properties | White gold is allergenic. | Rose gold vermeil is hypoallergenic to people without copper sensitivities, and allergenic to people sensitive to copper. |
White Gold Vermeil vs White Gold- What are the Differences?
White gold vermeil and solid white gold are similar, with some major differences.
White gold vermeil is sterling silver coated with a white gold plate of suficient purity and thickness. White gold is an alloy of pure gold mixed with other white-toned metals like palladium, platinum nickel, or silver.
The primary difference is that white gold is a solid gold alloy and a type of colored gold. Whereas white gold vermeil is a sterling silver piece with a rhodium-plated white gold layer over it.
White gold vermeil and white gold look nearly identical, but the former is significantly cheaper than solid white gold jewelry.
| Comparison | White Gold Vermeil | White Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Yellow gold + white metals like platinum, palladium, nickel and rhodium. Sterling silver base. | Yellow gold + white metals like platinum, palladium, nickel and rhodium. |
| Color and tarnish resistance | White gold vermeil doesn't tarnish except when the rhodium plating is damaged. | White gold doesn't tarnish except when the rhodium plating is damaged. |
| Durability and scratch resistance | White gold vermeil that's plated with rhodium is very durable and scratch resistant, but not as much as solid white gold that's also plated with rhodium. | White gold is more durable and scratch resistant than white gold vermeil. |
| Cost | White gold vermeil is less expensive than solid white gold. | White gold is more expensive than white gold vermeil because of higher concentration of precious metals (gold, platinum and palladium). |
| Skin tone compatibility | White gold vermeil best suits fair or cool-toned skin with blue or pink undertones. | White gold vermeil best suits fair or cool-toned skin with blue or pink undertones. |
| Hypoallergenic properties | White gold vermeil is allergenic. | White gold is allergenic. |
How Long Does White Gold Vermeil Last on Jewelry?
White gold vermeil with proper care can last you for many years.
Factors that influence the longevity of white gold vermeil jewelry are:
- Thickness of the gold layer. Thicker white gold player will last longer.
- Care and maintenance. Avoid exposing your white gold vermeil jewelry to harsh chemicals and water and store it properly to extend its lifespan.
- Quality of the white gold plating. Ensure you’re purchasing true 2.5 micron white gold vermeil to avoid cheap imitations that wear off quickly.
- Occasional vs daily wear. Your white gold vermeil jewelry will last longer if you wear it occasionally, and not every day.
Is There 22K White Gold Vermeil?
Yes, there’s 22k white gold vermeil. It’s very rare, but 22k white gold vermeil does exist.
Remember than 22k gold contains 91.6% pure gold which means this white gold vermeil variant is going to be noticeable more yellow than lower karatage white gold vermeils.
Is There 20K White Gold Vermeil?
Yes, there’s 20k white gold vermeil. It’s rare compared to 18k and 14k white gold vermeils, but it does exist.
Remember than 20k gold contains 83.3% pure gold which means this white gold vermeil variant is going to be noticeable more yellow than lower karatage white gold vermeils.
Is There 18K Gold White Vermeil Jewelry?
Yes, there’s 18k white gold vermeil. 18k white gold vermeil is very popular among jewelry connoisseurs because 18k gold looks great, is very resistant to tarnishing and still retains that classical whiteness despite having a higher percentage of yellow gold than other white gold vermeil types.
Is There 14K White Gold Vermeil?
Yes, there’s 14k white gold vermeil.
14k white gold vermeil is the most popular type of white gold vermeil because 14k gold provides a perfect balance between the desirable white color and jewelry hardness and durability.
18k white gold vermeil I covered above is technically more valuable, but has a noticeable yellow tint which many don’t like and needs way more upkeeping because of higher amount of gold content.
14k white gold vermeil jewelry has no such issues.
Is There 12K White Gold Vermeil?
Yes, there’s 12k white gold vermeil even though it’s much rarer than 14k and 18k gold vermeil jewelry.
12k white gold vermeil has a bit more shine to it given that 12k gold alloy contains less yellow gold. This makes it popular with people who’re attracted to the idea of their gold being as white as possible without suffering in the durability department.
I say it because 10k white gold vermeil I cover below is even whiter, but significantly less stable and prone to scratching.
Is There 10K White Gold Vermeil?
Yes, there’s 10k white gold vermeil. 10k gold is the minimum required gold content for a jewelry piece to be labeled “vermeil”.
10k white gold vermeil is whiter in appearance than 12k, 14k, 18k, 20k and 22k white gold vermeils simply because 10k gold contains less pure yellow gold and more other metals that give it it’s characteristic whitish appearance.
10k white gold vermeil is also more allergenic than higher-karat white gold vermeils because of the higher percentage of other allergenic metals within the alloy.
Is There 9K White Gold Vermeil? Does it Exist?
No, there’s no 9k white gold vermeil. It doesn’t exist.
This is because white gold vermeil has to made from at least 10k gold in order to be labeled “vermeil”.
There’s white-gold plated jewelry where the white gold plating is made from 9k gold, but it’s not white gold vermeil.
Is There 8K White Gold Vermeil? Does it Exist?
No, there’s no 8k white gold vermeil. It doesn’t exist.
This is because white gold vermeil has to made from at least 10k gold in order to be labeled “vermeil”.
There’s white-gold plated jewelry where the white gold plating is made from 8k gold, but it’s not white gold vermeil.
Is There 6K White Gold Vermeil? Does it Exist?
No, there’s no 6k white gold vermeil. It doesn’t exist.
This is because white gold vermeil has to made from at least 10k gold in order to be labeled “vermeil”.
There’s white-gold plated jewelry where the white gold plating is made from 6k gold, but it’s not white gold vermeil.
Is There 5K White Gold Vermeil? Does it Exist?
No, there’s no 5k white gold vermeil. It doesn’t exist.
This is because white gold vermeil has to made from at least 10k gold in order to be labeled “vermeil”.
There’s white-gold plated jewelry where the white gold plating is made from 5k gold, but it’s not white gold vermeil.
What is White Gold Vermeil? (Meaning and Definition)? Conclusion
White gold vermeil is jewelry consisting of a sterling silver base coated with a minimum 2.5-micron thick layer of white gold (an alloy of pure gold and white metals like silver, palladium, or nickel).
Unlike white gold-plated jewelry, vermeil has standardized thickness requirements and must use at least 10k gold. Available in various karat weights (10k-22k), with 14k being most popular for balancing whiteness and durability.
White gold vermeil is not hypoallergenic due to potential nickel content, isn’t magnetic, and can last years with proper care. Quality depends on plating thickness, maintenance, and wear frequency.
Check out our jewelry store for gold products you can purchase. We ship worldwide!
References:
- The Low-down On Gold Vermeil, 10K & 14K Gold! Who’s Better?- https://azurajewelry.com/blogs/azura-blog/the-low-down-on-gold-vermeil-10k-14k-gold-who-s-better
- Are gold/rose gold/white gold vermeil all are sterling silver underneath? And gold plated usually has a cheap base metal like brass?- https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelers/comments/xedi11/are_goldrose_goldwhite_gold_vermeil_all_are/
- What is Gold Vermeil: All You Need to Know- https://www.caratlondon.com/blogs/carat-style-tips/what-is-gold-vermeil
- Gold Vermeil v Gold Plated: What is the difference?- https://www.monicavinader.com/our-blog/gold-plated-vs-gold-vermeil
- Freshwater Pearl Diamond Accented Drop Pendant- https://www.diamondsfactory.com.au/design/freshwater-pearl-diamond-accented-drop-pendant-clpd08726pe01
- 14K White Gold Vermeil 4.5mm Hollow Curb Charm 7″ Bracelet- https://www.ebay.com/itm/283851112488
- 18K White Gold Vermeil Perfect CZ Inside Out Medium Hoop Earrings ODM OEM silver jewelry manufacturer- https://www.chingying-jewelry.com/18k-white-gold-vermeil-perfect-cz-inside-out-medium-hoop-earrings-odm-oem-silver-jewelry-manufacturer.html
- Vermeil and not solid gold chain? https://www.reddit.com/r/jewelry/comments/1c75t83/vermeil_and_not_solid_gold_chain/
- How to clean this white gold ring.- https://www.reddit.com/r/howto/comments/ca92gf/how_to_clean_this_white_gold_ring/
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.
