WHAT IS VERMEIL?
Unlike gold plating, vermeil is a gold finish material that is composed of a thick layer of gold over solid sterling silver. Instead in gold plating, any metal can be used as the base, and the gold layer can be of varying levels of purity. Industry standards dictate that t must be 14 karats or above for a piece to be considered a high-quality vermeil piece. MARCO DAL MASO is proud to be going above that standard and uses 18 karat on all its vermeil items.
The thickness of the gold portion is what really sets vermeil jewellery apart from gold plated pieces. The thickness of the gold portion must be at least 2.5 microns which we are also proud to do as the minimum for all MARCO DAL MASO jewels.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF VERMEIL
To protect the plating from damage, avoid direct contact with cologne, perfume, soap and other beauty/fragranced products while wearing your jewellery.
It is best to store the jewellery in a dry place, ideally in a soft-lined box to protect it from scratching and impact damage. Try to keep the pieces separate, so that they don't rub together or get tangled. Gold vermeil jewellery will tarnish like silver (as it is sterling silver, plated with 18kt) so it is best to keep it in an airtight box or bag. Clean your jewellery with a soft microfibre cloth.
Remove vermeil jewellery before swimming, bathing or washing your hands with chemical soaps. Perfumes, creams and hairsprays can also have a negative effect, so always apply before putting on your jewellery. Always remove gold vermeil jewellery before sleep to prevent wear. Avoid using a silver cloth as it will remove the gold plating.
As the old saying goes, "Jewellery should be the last thing you put on and the first thing you take off".
Please note that all plating will naturally fade with wear.
Gold vermeil is a wonderful way to have great jewellery at a reasonable price, especially for large statement pieces, but if you want to enjoy your gold jewellery for years and years, without fear of fading or tarnishing, we recommend that you invest in solid gold. Solid gold will be a design you can enjoy for life, even generations. If you would to enquire to have your piece made in solid gold please contact us.
Currently, MARCO DAL MASO does not offer a re-plating service.