Gold Vermeil Jewelry Manufacturing
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Ruvolla makes 18K gold vermeil jewelry in our own workshop in Cemberlitas, Fatih, Istanbul: 925 sterling silver plated with 18K gold at 2.5 microns or more, up to 4 microns. You can order vermeil on our catalogue designs or on your own custom designs, and we can also plate the same pieces thinner or with our standard plating, so you can compare price and durability before you decide.
Ask for a vermeil quote
Tell us the designs, karat and microns you need, and we will reply with a price.
What gold vermeil means
Gold vermeil is a term with a legal meaning, not a general word for "good gold plating". In the US, jewelry can be called vermeil when it is sterling silver coated with gold of at least 10K, at a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns. Some other markets use stricter definitions, so if you will sell in more than one country, check the rule in each market before you label a product.
In practice this means three things:
- The base must be sterling silver. Gold over brass or another base metal is gold plated, not vermeil.
- The gold must be at least 10K. We plate in 14K or 18K, so karat is never the limiting factor.
- The thickness must reach 2.5 microns. This is the part that separates vermeil from ordinary gold plating.
Vermeil, micron plating and standard plating compared
We offer three levels of gold finish on 925 sterling silver. All three give a gold look; what changes is how much gold is on the piece, how long it lasts with daily wear and what you can legally call it.
| Finish | Gold thickness | What you can call it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold vermeil | 2.5 to 4 microns, 18K or 14K | Gold vermeil | Premium ranges where the gold thickness is part of the sale |
| Micron gold plating | 0.10 to 2 microns | Gold plated sterling silver | Mid-price collections where you want a stated micron |
| Standard plating | Thin decorative layer | Gold plated sterling silver | Fashion collections with the lowest price point |
Standard plating gives the right colour at the best price, but it is a thin layer and wears faster on pieces worn every day. For fashion and everyday pieces, 0.10 to 0.50 micron is usually the best value. Vermeil is for a premium range where you want to state the thickness and sell under that name. Our micron guide explains the trade-offs in more detail.
Why we recommend 3 microns when you will sell as vermeil
Electroplating does not lay down a perfectly even layer. Edges and raised areas take more gold than recesses, prong bases and the inside of settings. Because the vermeil definition sets a minimum thickness, we recommend plating at 3 microns for pieces you will sell as vermeil, so the thinner areas still clear 2.5 microns. Tell us how you plan to label the pieces and we will confirm the specification with you before production.
18K or 14K gold
Standard gold plating comes in a 14K or 18K gold colour tone, as you prefer. 18K gives a warmer, deeper yellow and is available on request at every thickness, including vermeil. If you are matching an existing collection, send us a photo or a sample of the colour you want.
Vermeil on our catalogue designs
Around 2,400 designs in our catalogue can be ordered with vermeil-grade plating instead of our standard finish. The usual wholesale terms apply: a first order from USD 500, 5 pieces per design, and designs and finishes can be mixed in one order. Thick plating is priced per piece on top of the catalogue price, and we quote it once you have chosen the designs, because the extra cost depends on the size and shape of each piece.
Vermeil on your own designs
If you have your own designs, we make them from STL or CAD files or from sketches with dimensions, and plate them to the vermeil specification. Custom manufacturing starts at 20 pieces per design, with no modelling or mould fee on production orders. If you want a physical sample first, modelling and mould are charged once, USD 70 to 120 depending on the piece, and the amount stays as a balance against your production order. See custom jewelry manufacturing for how the process works.
How pricing works
Vermeil pieces are priced per gram. The price covers the silver, the workmanship, the stone setting and the plating, so the final price of each piece depends on its weight. That is why we can show you the price per gram for each finish side by side, and then confirm the price per piece once the model weights are known.
Timing and quality
- Production usually takes about a week after your order is confirmed and paid. Thicker plating does not add to the production time.
- Every piece is stamped 925 and quality-checked before packing.
- Test report: with your order, we can have a test report issued for any piece you choose.
- If there's a problem: send us a photo and we credit it as a balance on your next order.
What we don't make
We don't make gold filled jewelry. Gold filled uses a thick sheet of gold mechanically bonded to a base metal, which is a different process from casting and plating. If you are comparing gold filled and vermeil for a collection, vermeil is the option we can produce, and it has the advantage of a solid sterling silver base.
Frequently asked questions
Is gold vermeil real gold?
Yes. Gold vermeil is real gold, at least 10K and in our case 14K or 18K, plated over a solid 925 sterling silver base at 2.5 microns or more. It is not solid gold, but both the gold and the silver are precious metals.
What is the difference between gold vermeil and gold plated?
Thickness and base metal. Vermeil must be sterling silver with at least 2.5 microns of gold. Gold plated can be any base metal with any thickness of gold, often a very thin layer.
How long does gold vermeil last?
Much longer than thin plating, because there is far more gold on the surface. How long exactly depends on how the piece is worn and cared for, so we don't put a number of years on it. If a plating problem comes up, send us a photo and we credit it as a balance on your next order.
Can you make 18K gold vermeil?
Yes. We plate 18K gold over 925 sterling silver at 2.5 to 4 microns, on our catalogue designs and on custom designs. On catalogue designs you can select 2.5 micron on the product page and the price updates; 3 to 4 microns are available on request.
Do you make gold filled jewelry?
No. Gold filled is made by bonding a gold sheet to a base metal, which is not a process we use. We make gold vermeil and gold plated sterling silver.
Can I sell your 2.5 micron pieces as vermeil in Europe?
It depends on the country. The 2.5 micron threshold is the US definition, and some European markets use stricter rules. Check the rule in your market, and tell us the thickness you need before production.
Get a vermeil quote
Send us the designs you have in mind, from our catalogue or your own files, to help@ruvolla.com or on WhatsApp at +90 540 281 15 53, and we'll reply with the price per gram for vermeil and for our other finishes, side by side. To see wholesale prices across the catalogue, apply for a trade account. For more on plating, see our plating and quality guide and the wholesale FAQ.