Gold-colored jewelry, such as gold plated, gold-fill, and gold vermeil jewelry, have become increasingly popular over the years thanks to their affordable price and great look. But it’s important to keep in mind that these types of jewelry are not made from solid gold; over time, the gold coloration will wear off. Read on to learn more about how you can repair gold vermeil jewelry and restore its original look.
What is Gold Vermeil?
In the jewelry industry, gold plating is used to apply a thin layer of gold over a different base metal in order to simulate a gold look. This plating can be very thin or very thick, depending on the quality of the jewelry, and is measured by microns. Plating above 1 micron is considered good quality; the more microns, the thicker the plating.
Gold vermeil is a specific type of gold-plated jewelry. The base metal must be sterling silver, or 92.5% silver content, and the plating has to be 2.5 microns of gold that is 10k or higher. In comparison to other plated items, gold vermeil is a high quality material due to its thick plating and precious metal base.
Restoring and Repairing Gold Vermeil Jewelry
Even with its thick plating, gold vermeil jewelry will wear down over time, showing the sterling silver underneath. Restoring it isn’t as simple as gold plating on top, obviously- in order to ensure that the item is restored to its original state, you’ll have to match the vermeil’s standard thickness of 2.5 microns.
When replating gold vermeil jewelry, the jeweler polishes the entire item to remove its original coating. This is to ensure that any scratches, dents, and tarnishing from the sterling silver base are removed. Then the jeweler replates the piece in a plating tank. The tank contains a special solution of chemicals and gold, and uses electricity to fuse the gold to the surface of the item. After the correct amount of gold has been adhered to the jewelry, the jeweler removes it from the tank and the item’s color is restored.
This process has to be used whenever a jeweler works on gold vermeil jewelry. For instance, if you need to size a gold vermeil ring, the process of sizing will remove the gold plating due to the jeweler’s tools and the need to cut the ring open. The area of work will be silver in color, and the jeweler will have to reapply the plating in order to make the appearance of the jewelry uniform.
The Cost and Turnaround Time for Repairing Gold Vermeil Jewelry
Since you’re plating an item with 2.5 microns of gold, repairing and restoring gold vermeil jewelry can be a major investment. Gold plating 2.5 microns on sterling silver starts at $201, and additional fees may be included if you’re also sizing or soldering the jewelry. Because the plating is relatively thick, it’ll take about a week to finish the restoration and repair.
That being said, gold vermeil jewelry is a long-lasting alternative to cheaper plated jewelry, and is comparatively more valuable. Taking the time to restore such pieces is worthwhile, especially if it’s a sentimental or designer piece.
Now you know how to get your gold vermeil jewelry restored! If you have something you want to fix, let us know in the comments below!
Community Discussion
Questions, experiences, and expert answers from the QJR community.
I got a vermeil stacking ring set online a few months back and I loved them so mich I’ve worn them almost daily and the silver is becoming more and more apparent… how would I go about getting them fixed? And should I re-vermeil them or just get them dipped in gold?
Hi Maxie, We’ll reach out via email with further details on our gold plating service
I’d have the same query!
Hi Michelle! For vermeil pieces, the best fix is usually fresh gold plating rather than a simple polish, since the visible silver means the gold layer has worn down. Our team can review photos and confirm the best plating approach here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/gold-plating/ You can also email photos to [email protected].
I have a pendant that needs to be restored. Please contact.
Hi Maureen! We can review pendant restoration options. Please send clear front and back photos, plus a short note about what needs restoring, to [email protected]. If it’s a custom restoration request, you can also start here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/custom-order/
I bought a gold vermeil ring from diamondere and the silver was showing. Without my knowledge my fiancée went to a jewelry repair shop and they applied regular gold plating but it looks more silver in color, not yellow gold like when we bought it. Could this be fixed? And how much?
Hi Caemen! Replating may restore the yellow-gold color, but we would need to assess the existing finish and the ring first. You can see our gold-plating options here: https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/gold-plating/. Please email clear top and side photos to [email protected] so we can recommend the appropriate option and confirm pricing.
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