Short answer: all three put real gold over another metal; the difference is how much. Gold-plated jewelry has a thin electroplated gold layer. Vermeil is sterling silver with at least 2.5 microns of gold. Gold-filled has a far heavier gold layer bonded to a brass core. Loretana sells 14K or 18K gold-plated 925 silver, not vermeil or gold-filled.
What does gold-plated mean?
Gold-plated jewelry is made by electroplating: the finished piece is placed in a bath containing gold, and an electric current deposits a thin layer of gold on its surface. The base underneath can be almost any metal, such as brass, copper or sterling silver, and the thickness of the gold varies widely from seller to seller.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission guides set minimum standards for terms such as "gold electroplate", and very thin layers are usually described as gold-flashed or gold-washed. The EU has no single legal thickness for these terms, so most sellers follow the US definitions. The two questions to ask about any gold-plated piece are: what is underneath, and is it stated?
What is gold vermeil?
Vermeil (pronounced "ver-may") is a specific kind of gold-plated jewelry with two conditions. The base must be sterling silver, and the gold layer must be at least 10K and at least 2.5 microns thick under the US guides. So all vermeil is gold-plated silver, but not all gold-plated silver is vermeil. The heavier layer means the gold colour lasts longer under the same wear, and the price is higher.
What is gold-filled jewelry?
Despite the name, gold-filled jewelry is not filled with gold. It is a core of base metal, usually brass, with a sheet of gold bonded to the outside by heat and pressure. Under the US guides the gold must be at least 10K and make up at least one twentieth (5%) of the total weight of the metal, which is why gold-filled pieces are often stamped "1/20 14K GF". Because the gold layer is much heavier than plating, gold-filled wears slowly, but the core underneath is brass, not silver.
Gold-plated vs gold-filled vs vermeil: side by side
| Gold-plated | Vermeil | Gold-filled | Solid gold | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base metal | Any: brass, copper or silver | Sterling silver | Usually brass | Gold alloy throughout |
| Gold layer | Thin, electroplated | At least 2.5 microns | At least 5% of the weight | The whole piece |
| When the gold wears | The base shows | Silver shows | Brass shows, slowly | Does not apply |
| Price | Lowest | Middle | Middle | Highest |
For the full picture of what sits under the gold on a silver piece, see Gold-plated silver: is it real gold?
What is Loretana's gold jewelry made of?
Our gold-tone pieces are 14K or 18K gold-plated 925 sterling silver. The gold is a thin electroplated surface finish: they are gold-plated, not vermeil and not gold-filled, and we never describe them as either. The base is hallmarked 925 silver from the Lithuanian Assay Office, which you can check yourself with our guide to telling real 925 silver from fake.
Rhodium and 14K/18K gold plating are surface finishes, and like every finish they wear with use. Pendants and earrings keep their finish much longer than rings and bracelets, which rub against skin and surfaces all day. Thinning shows first at high-friction points: the underside of a ring band, the back of a clasp. Underneath the plating is hallmarked 925 sterling silver, not brass, so a worn spot shows real silver and the piece can be re-plated by a jeweller.
Gold-plated pieces that suit everyday wear because they face little friction:
- Paperclip Chain Necklace 50 cm, 14K gold-plated 925 silver, €54.99
- Butterfly Pave Studs with AAAAA cubic zirconia, 14K gold-plated 925 silver, €32.99
- Engraved Coin Necklace, 14K gold-plated 925 silver, €79.99, engraved in Lithuania within 48 hours
More in our necklaces and earrings collections.
Which one should you choose?
For pendants, chains and earrings worn every day, gold-plated silver gives you the gold look at a silver price, and the finish lasts well on pieces that do not rub. For a ring you wear on the same finger every day, the friction is constant: if you want the colour to stay unchanged for longer, consider vermeil or solid gold, or choose a silver or rhodium-plated ring.
Frequently asked questions
Is gold-filled jewelry real gold?
The outer layer is real gold, at least 10K, but the core is usually brass. It is not solid gold, and despite the name it is not filled with gold inside.
Is vermeil better than gold-plated?
Vermeil has a heavier gold layer and always a sterling silver base, so its colour lasts longer under the same wear. Gold-plated silver costs less and suits pendants and earrings well.
Is Loretana jewelry vermeil or gold-filled?
No. Our gold-tone pieces are 14K or 18K gold-plated 925 sterling silver: the gold is a thin surface finish over hallmarked silver. We describe them exactly that way on every product page.
Does gold-plated jewelry turn your skin green?
A green mark usually comes from copper in a brass base once the plating wears. On a 925 silver base it is far less likely; our article on why jewelry turns skin green explains the causes.
Loretana MB is registered with the Lithuanian Assay Office and has a registered responsibility mark. Every piece carries the 925 hallmark and our responsibility mark, and orders ship from Lithuania.
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