​Vermeil Gold me.
Gold is a metal that never corrodes or rusts. This is the reason why no matter how many new metals and materials appear in the jewelry industry, we never get tired of gold. Our lust for gold is eternal, just like the metal itself. As beautiful and ever-lasting as it is, gold, however is a rather expensive metal and its value does not depreciate drastically over time. If you are looking to compromise between quality and price, Vermeil gold would be a fabulous alternative!
Vermeil gold is a relatively expensive gold plated material widely used in making jewelry. It consists of a sterling silver base that is coated or plated with gold. This material is popular for its long lifespan since it wears off less than other gold plated metal. Although it is not pure gold, vermeil gold is still comparable in appearance and artisanship. It gives the same look and feel but is considerably much more affordable.
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The word "vermeil" is a French word which came into use in the English language, mostly in America, in the 19th century as an alternative for the usual term "silver-gilt". The technique for making vermeil was called fire-gilding, which originated in France around 1750. Jewelry makers applied mercury and gold to silver and exposed the metal to extreme heat . The heat caused the mercury to vaporize and the layer of gold to adhere to the silver. However, France made this process illegal in the 1800s because the mercury vapors were toxic and caused many artisans to become blind. Nowadays, vermeil is usually created using an electrolytic process, which is much safer yet produces a similar result.
In order to be qualified as vermail gold, a piece of jewelry must meet certain requirements. The base must be pure sterling silver. It may not be coated with any other metal prior to having the layer of gold applied. The gold layer on top must be at least 10 karat (42%) and be at least 2.5 micrometres thick.
Vermeil gold comes in different colors and levels of purity of gold plating. It is also an ideal material for those with nickel allergies or sensitivity to other metals because it is made with pure sterling silver. There is a wide array of choices in vermeil gold because of its increasing popularity these days. Even the White House has a collection of vermeil tableware kept on display in the Vermeil Room!