When shopping for gold jewelry, it’s important to understand what you’re really buying. The terms gold filled, gold vermeil, and gold plated refer to different levels of gold content, thickness, and base metal used—each affecting the value and durability of the piece.
This guide breaks down the key differences in gold filled vs plated vs vermeil jewelry so you can make informed choices and avoid misleading claims when investing in your next piece.
Gold Plating Thickness Chart
What Is Gold Filled Jewelry?
Gold filled jewelry is a mixture of gold and brass (sometimes silver) that has been mechanically bonded or chemically bonded to form a bond. A lot of high-quality gold-filled jewelry looks like solid gold. A piece must have around 1/20th of its weight in gold to be considered gold-filled. In certain regions of the world, gold filled is sometimes referred to as “rolled gold.”
| Karat Gold Meaning | Description |
| 14k Gold Filled Meaning | Jewelry made with a bonded layer of 14k gold (58.3%), comprising at least 5% of the item’s total weight, over a base metal like brass or silver |
| 18k Gold Filled Meaning | Jewelry made with a bonded layer of 18k gold (75%), comprising at least 5% of the item’s total weight, over a base metal like brass or silver |
| 22k Gold Filled Meaning | Jewelry made with a bonded layer of 22k gold (91.6%), comprising at least 5% of the item’s total weight, over a base metal like brass or silver |
How Much Gold in Gold Filled Jewelry?
According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC),to comply with U.S. law, gold-filled jewelry must contain at least 5% gold by weight (equivalent to 1/20th of the total weight), and the karat fineness must be clearly marked. In rare circumstances, the terms “rolled gold plate” and “gold overlay,” but not “gold-filled,” may be used lawfully if the percentage is less than 5%.
What Is Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
Is gold vermeil the same as gold filled? The answer is NO. Gold vermeil jewelry is a premium form of gold plating that employs sterling silver, which is also known as 925 silver, as the base metal upon which a thin layer of gold is coated using electroplating.
Electroplating is a process that uses electricity to coat a solid object with a thin layer of metal. For gold vermeil jewelry, this means a layer of gold is carefully applied over a base of sterling silver.
| Karat Gold Meaning | Description |
| 14k Gold Vermeil Meaning | Jewelry made of sterling silver base coated with at least 2.5 microns of 14k gold (58.3%) |
| 18k Gold Vermeil Meaning | Jewelry made of sterling silver base coated with at least 2.5 microns of 18k gold (75%) |
| 22k Gold Vermeil Meaning | Jewelry made of sterling silver base coated with at least 2.5 microns of 22k gold (91.6%) |
How Thick Is Gold Vermeil Jewelry?
Just as in “gold filled,” the term “gold vermeil” is legally regulated. For a gold-coated item to be considered vermeil, it must have a base made of sterling silver, and has a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns (in the US).
What Is Gold Plated Jewelry?
Gold plating is a term that refers to items in which a thin layer of gold (average thickness: 0.05 micron) has been applied by means of a chemical reaction known as electroplating or PVD coating to a base metal (usually copper or brass).
Gold plating is the most economical of the three different categories of gold plating. This is because the required standard for gold thickness is very low.
| Karat Gold Meaning | Description |
| 14k Gold Plated Meaning | Jewelry made of a base metal coated with a thin layer of 14k gold (58.3%), usually brass or copper |
| 18k Gold Plated Meaning | Jewelry made of a base metal coated with a thin layer of 18k gold (75%), usually brass or copper |
| 22k Gold Plated Meaning | Jewelry made of a base metal coated with a thin layer of 22k gold (91.6%), usually brass or copper |
Gold Filled vs Gold Plated vs Gold Vermeil: Key Differences
| Category | Gold Filled | Gold Vermeil | Gold Plated |
| Base Metal | Brass or silver | Sterling silver (.925) | Brass, stainless steel or silver |
| Production Method | Mechanical bonding (heat & pressure); Chemical Bond (electroplating) | Electroplating | Electroplating |
| Gold Content | 5% of total weight | ≥2.5 microns | Average 0.05 microns |
| Durability | Highly durable; can last 3+ years with proper care | Good durability; lasts 1-2 years with gentle use | Least durable; typically lasts 6 months |
| Cost | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Stamp Example | “GF”, “1/20 12K G.F.” | Often “.925” with karat notation | Usually unstamped or marked “GP”, “GE” |
| Brand Position | Fine jewelry | Demi-fine jewelry; affordable luxury | Fashion jewelry; trend-driven collections |
When selecting materials for your jewelry line, understanding the difference of gold filled vs plated vs vermeil is essential. These terms reflect more than just style—they determine durability, cost, and long-term brand perception.
Base Layer & Manufacturing Process
- Gold Filled
Typically made with a brass core, though copper or silver may also be used. 2 typical ways to make gold filled jewelry:
- Mechanical Bond: Heat and pressure are used to mechanically bond a layer of solid gold to the core metal
- Chemical Bond: A process to bond a layer of gold through electroplating process
- Gold Vermeil
For a material to be called gold vermeil, it has to have a base of sterling silver. When you see a 925 stamp on your gold piece, know that it means that the base material is sterling silver or silver that is 92.5% pure.
The manufacturing process involved in making vermeil items is electroplating. This process involves using electric current to deposit a layer of gold on the base material (sterling silver).
- Gold Plating
The most cost-effective option, this method uses base metals like brass or copper. The gold layer is applied via electroplating, similar to vermeil, but with significantly less gold.
Thickness and The Amount of Real Gold
The thickness of the gold coating and the percentage of real gold directly impact how long each type lasts—and how it wears.
- Gold Filled
The minimum amount of gold in gold filled is 5% real gold by weight. Gold-filled items usually have markings on them depicting their karatage. A karat is 1/24 parts of an item’s gold content. As a result, if a gold piece has a 1/20 12K G.F. marking, it means that at least 1/20th of 12 Karat gold is present in its weight.
- Gold Vermeil
The minimum thickness of the gold coating in vermeil is 2.5 microns over sterling silver. This makes it a premium option in demi-fine jewelry.
- Gold Plating
Usually has a thin layer of gold measuring as little as 0.05 microns, making it more susceptible to fading and wear than gold vermeil and filled. However, thicker layers of gold plating are also available, which can improve durability and extend the lifespan of the piece.
This is a critical factor in choosing between gold filled vs vermeil vs plated, especially when product longevity matters to your customers.
Durability and Wearability
If you’re evaluating gold filled vs plated vs vermeil for your brand, longevity is another deciding factor.
- How Long Does Gold Filled Jewelry Last?
Gold filled jewelry offers the highest durability. With proper care, gold filled jewelry can last up to 3 years or more without tarnishing or fading. The thick layer resists peeling and wears similarly to solid gold.
- How Long Does Gold Vermeil Jewelry Last?
With a coating of at least 2.5 microns, gold vermeil jewelry typically lasts 1 to 2 years. The thick gold layer over sterling silver offers better durability than standard gold plating, but exposure to water, perfumes, and chemicals can cause the gold layer to wear down faster.
- How Long Can Gold Plating Jewelry Last?
Gold plated jewelry typically lasts at least 6 months, but its durability largely depends on the thickness of the gold plating. Thicker plating can extend the lifespan up to 1 year and more, while thinner layers may wear off more quickly with regular use.
Cost & Price Positioning
As a result of different base metals used and the thickness of their gold coating, gold filled, gold vermeil, and gold plated items do not have the same cost of production nor price range.
- Gold Filled
The most expensive to produce due to its higher gold content and longer durability. It targets customers seeking affordable fine jewelry with long-term value.
- Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil is more expensive than gold plated items, since it uses sterling silver as a base and a thick layer of gold (2.5 mircons). It’s a popular choice for demi-fine jewelry brands that want a luxury feel without solid gold pricing.
- Gold Plating
The cheapest among the three, due to a thin layer of gold (average thickness: 0.05 microns). It’s ideal for fast fashion collections where trend and design matter more than longevity.
Gold Bonded vs. Gold Dipped vs. Gold Coating Jewelry
What Is Gold Bonded Jewelry?
Gold bonded jewelry involves bonding a layer of gold to a base metal using high pressure and heat. For consumers who seek great jewelry without the cost of real gold, it presents a beautiful look and long-lasting quality. This jewelry type is between the value and lastability of electroplated and actual gold pieces.
What is Gold Dipped Jewelry？
Gold-dipped jewelry is the same as gold-plated jewelry, both of them means adding an extra layer of other metal on the base metal. For example, 18k gold dipped brass means that the jewelry piece is made of brass, and then plated with a layer of 18k gold.
What is Gold Coated Jewelry?
Gold-coated jewelry is even more direct in explaining the result of jewelry plating. Gold-coated jewelry is identical to gold-plated and gold-dipped. However, coating does not necessarily mean plating, for example, e-coating is a technology used to coat jewelry with a thin layer of resin for protection or color.
Gold Filled vs Plated vs Vermeil: What Is Best for Your Jewelry Brand?
Many people wonder: “Is gold filled or gold vermeil better?” Well, gold filled is indeed better than gold vermeil in terms of durability and longevity, but its price point can be much higher. Ultimately, choosing the right type of gold for your brand depends on your specific needs and budget, aligning with your brand’s price positioning, and durability expectations.
Choose Gold Filled If:
- Your brand aims for the fine jewelry or high-end demi-fine market, allowing you to set higher target prices and achieve larger profit margins
- Durability and heirloom-level longevity are non-negotiables for your brand’s promise
- You expect a color retention time of 3-5 years for your products, indicating superior quality
- You seek to provide excellent value and an experience akin to solid gold, but at a more accessible price point.
There are several effective strategies to incorporate gold filled jewelry to your brand that support long-term growth and brand prestige.
Choose Gold Vermeil If:
- Your brand is positioned in the demi-fine jewelry market, offering elevated everyday pieces
- Your customers appreciate higher quality and better durability than fashion jewelry, but still seek affordability compared to fine jewelry
- You want to emphasize the use of precious metals (sterling silver base) in your marketing and elevate your brand image
- You are looking for types of tarnish free gold jewelry that offers a good balance of value and longevity
If you’re expanding in this segment, consider these 3 tips for selling gold vermeil jewelry to elevate customer trust and retention.
Choose Gold Plated If:
- Your brand positions itself as fashion jewelry, targeting trend-driven buyers who want to switch up styles frequently
- Affordability is key and margins rely on high volume
- Fast fashion cycles align with your product launch calendar
- Color retention time is not what you care about most
Typical Brands by Gold Type & Positioning
Understanding how leading brands align with different gold types can help clarify your product strategy.
| Target Segment | Typical Brands | Notes |
| Fine Jewelry | Blue Nile | Offers gold filled and solid gold jewelry for timeless, investment-worthy pieces |
| Demi-fine Jewelry | Monica Vinader | Emphasizes certified gold vermeil pieces, resonating with socially conscious consumers through transparency and sustainability |
| Fashion Jewelry | Kendra Scott | Focuses on fashion pieces withgold plating over brass, blending accessibility with colorful, seasonal design |
Is Gold Plated, Gold Vermeil or Gold Filled Jewelry Real Gold?
Yes—all three types contain real gold if buy from trusted manufacturers, but the amount, purity, and bonding method vary, affecting both quality and longevity.
At Nendine, we ensure authenticity by using genuine gold across all finishes—plated, vermeil, and filled—and verifying quality through Fischer XRAY Extroplating Thickness Testing, which measures gold purity, coating thickness, and base metal composition.
To further guarantee performance, we conduct a series of tests, for example:
- Artificial Sweat Testing for corrosion resistance
- Salt Spray Testing for environmental durability
- Wear and Abrasion Testing to simulate real-world use
Understanding what gold plated jewelry manufacturers won’t tell you—and verifying key jewelry certifications—can help you avoid quality compromises and protect your brand’s reputation.
Key Takeaway
Not sure how to choose? Tell your needs, budget, and brand goals—and a trusted custom jewelry manufacturer like Nendine will help you find the perfect gold filled, vermeil, or plated solution that balances quality, cost, and durability for your jewelry line.
