Rose vermeil is a beautiful and affordable alternative to solid rose gold jewelry. It's created by plating a thick layer of rose gold (typically 3-5 microns, sometimes more) onto a base metal, usually sterling silver. This process results in a piece that looks and feels like rose gold but costs significantly less.
Understanding Vermeil
Vermeil, in general, is a type of gold plating applied to sterling silver. The key distinction is the thickness of the gold layer. To be classified as vermeil, the gold layer must be significantly thicker than standard gold plating, ensuring durability and a longer-lasting shine. This often translates to a gold layer up to 5 times thicker than regular plating, as highlighted by Oak & Luna.
Rose Gold Vermeil: A Closer Look
Rose vermeil specifically uses rose gold for the plating. Rose gold itself is an alloy of gold and copper, giving it its distinctive pinkish hue. The amount of copper affects the exact shade of rose gold. The base metal (sterling silver) provides strength and structure to the piece. Brands like TOUS utilize this technique, highlighting the combination of "two alluring noble materials." Their rose vermeil features a silver core plated with 3-5 microns of rose gold.
Advantages of Rose Vermeil:
- Affordability: Significantly cheaper than solid rose gold.
- Appearance: Provides the look and feel of rose gold.
- Durability: A thicker gold layer than typical plating ensures longer-lasting wear.
Examples of Rose Vermeil Jewelry:
- Necklaces (e.g., Rox by Martin Binder Popcorn Chain Necklace)
- Earrings (e.g., Oak&Luna Key Charm Earrings)
- Rings (e.g., TOUS Icon Mesh 925 Rose Vermeil and IP Steel Ring)
