The table below provides some information about the differences between gold plated, gold vermeil and gold plated jewellery.
| Gold Plated | Gold Vermeil | Gold Filled | |
| Composition |
Gold plated jewellery is made by applying a thin layer of gold to a base metal, such as brass or copper, using an electrochemical or chemical plating process. The gold layer in gold plated jewellery is generally much thinner than gold filled and gold vermeil. |
Gold vermeil jewellery has a sterling silver base (925 silver) with a thick layer of gold plated on top. The gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick and have a minimum gold purity of 10K. |
Gold filled jewellery has a thick layer of solid gold that is mechanically bonded to a base metal, typically brass. Gold filled jewellery typically has a gold layer that is measured in terms of its weight rather than the thickness in microns. The gold layer must be at least 5% of the total weight of the piece. |
| Gold Content |
Gold plated jewellery has the thinnest layer of gold among the three. The gold layer can vary in thickness but is generally much thinner than in gold filled and gold vermeil jewellery. |
Gold vermeil jewellery has a thicker gold layer compared to gold plated. The gold layer is usually around 2.5 microns thick, which is thicker than gold plated jewellery. |
Gold filled jewellery has a higher gold content than gold plated and gold vermeil. The gold layer in gold filled jewellery is typically much thicker, ranging from 5% to 20% of the total weight. |
| Durability |
Gold plated jewellery is typically less durable than gold filled and gold vermeil. The thin layer of gold can wear off more easily, especially with regular use or exposure to moisture, chemicals, or abrasion. |
Gold vermeil jewellery may be less durable than gold filled (but more than gold plated) because the gold layer is thinner and is plated onto a silver base. The gold layer can wear off over time, especially with frequent exposure to water, chemicals, or friction. |
Gold filled jewellery is generally more durable and long-lasting due to the thick layer of gold and the mechanical bonding process. The gold layer in gold filled jewellery is less likely to wear off with regular use and can withstand more wear and tear. |
| Cost | Gold plated jewellery is usually the most affordable option among the three due to the thin layer of gold and the plating process used. | Gold vermeil jewellery is generally more affordable compared to gold filled but may still be more expensive than gold plated due to the thicker gold layer and the use of sterling silver as the base metal. | Gold filled jewellery tends to be more expensive than gold vermeil, and gold plated due to the higher gold content and the manufacturing process involved in bonding the gold to the base metal. |
