Gold Jewelry Primer

PVD , Gold Filled , Gold Plated ,Vermeil :What’s the difference ? Read on before you buy .

1. PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition):

• What it is: PVD applies a thin layer of real gold onto jewelry using a high-tech vacuum process.
• Durability: PVD is the most durable option. It’s highly resistant to scratching, fading, and tarnishing.PVD coatings are more resistant to corrosion from sweat and regular wear than gold plating. It's a great choice for people who never take their jewellery off, as it is extremely vibrant and durable for many years. Even big, luxury brands use this process, like Rolex and Cartier. Seriously, 
• Best for: Everyday wear; it stays looking new for a long time.

2. Gold Filled:

• What it is: Gold filled jewelry has a thicker layer of real gold bonded to a base metal through heat and pressure.
• Durability: Gold filled is longer-lasting than gold plated but less durable than PVD. The gold doesn’t wear off easily and can last a long time.
• Best for: Someone who wants a good balance between quality and affordability.

3. Gold Plated:

• What it is: Gold plated jewelry has a thin layer of gold applied to a base metal like brass or copper.
• Durability: Gold plated is the least durable. The gold layer can wear off quickly, especially with frequent use. **Although read on about microns and plating as the quality can be increased with good plating techniques. 


4. Vermeil:

• What it is: Vermeil (pronounced “ver-may”) is a type of gold plated jewelry where the base is sterling silver, and the gold layer is thicker than regular gold plating.
• Durability: Vermeil is more durable than regular gold plated but less durable than gold filled or PVD. It combines the beauty of gold with the value of sterling silver underneath.
• Best for: Higher-quality gold plated jewelry with a sterling silver base, offering better durability than regular gold plated.


• PVD: Most durable, long-lasting gold finish, ideal for daily wear.
• Gold Filled: Thick gold layer, affordable, and durable.
• Gold Plated: Thin gold layer, best for occasional wear.
• Vermeil: Gold plating over sterling silver, more durable and affordable.

A few things to remember about Plated (not PVD ) jewelry to determine if the quality matches the price.

Microns and Gold Plating:

• What is a micron? A micron is a unit of measurement, and it refers to the thickness of the gold layer on the jewelry. The higher the number of microns, the thicker and more durable the plating.

Common Micron Levels for Gold Plating:

• 0.5 microns or less: Very thin plating, commonly used in cheap, fashion jewelry. This will wear off quickly, especially with frequent use.
• 1-2 microns: Thicker plating used in standard gold plated jewelry. This will last longer but may still fade with daily wear.
• 2.5 microns or more (for Vermeil): Vermeil jewelry has a minimum of 2.5 microns of gold over a sterling silver base, which makes it more durable and high-quality compared to regular gold plated pieces.
• 5+ microns (Gold Filled): Gold filled jewelry has a much thicker layer of gold (at least 5 microns or more), which is bonded to the base metal. This gives it far more durability and makes it a great option for everyday wear.

• More microns = More durability. Thicker plating will resist fading, tarnishing, and wear much better than thin plating.
• Vermeil is a good middle ground with a decent gold layer (2.5 microns) and a valuable sterling silver base.
• Gold Filled offers even more durability with a much thicker layer of gold, making it ideal for everyday jewelry.