A question that I get asked very regularly at trade shows, markets or in the workshop: WHAT IS VERMEIL?
Vermeil: a precious metal.
The vermeil is made of solid silver covered with a thickness of gold of 5 microns. In France, this gold alloy must be at least 18 carats (750 thousandths) to legally hold the designation of vermeil. Maison Vanité jewelry is made of 24-carat vermeil, therefore with an even higher proportion of gold in the alloy. Some countries are more likely to use 9 (375 thousandths) or 14 (545 thousandths) carats.
Vermeil being a precious metal, it is subject to the same regulations as silver or gold: declaration, hallmarks for traceability and guarantee.
3 criteria therefore define vermeil: its massive material, its surface alloy and its thickness.
The surface treatment is carried out by a specialized gilder who uses different baths depending on the desired alloy (percentage of gold and color). He assembles the pieces to be immersed in the baths on a wire to group and find each element. These baths deposit gold by an electrolysis system called electroplating.
Vermeil and gold plated
Unlike plated which is on a non-precious brass base, this can be covered with a flash of 3 microns of Gold.
goldfilled recently appears on the market
