Gold, gold plating, or vermeil: How to choose jewelry that is really worth it?
More and more jewellery is appearing on the market that looks like gold at first glance – but the reality is often different. They are not always clearly marked, they are not subject to hallmarking and customers can often be confused about what they are actually buying. That's why we've decided to summarise the differences between the most common types of material. Because when you know what you're buying, your enjoyment of your jewellery will last much longer. Nowadays, you can more and more often come across gold jewellery that is only gold to the eye. So it can often be the case that you may not even know what you are buying. That's why we're here to make it clear once and for all. Each material has its own specifics, advantages and limits. And if you know what you're buying, you can't be unpleasantly surprised. You'll simply choose a piece of jewellery that will keep you happy for a long time without disappointment.
Get to know real quality
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Gold – beauty that lasts for years
Gold is durable, elegant, and lasting. It doesn't lose its shine, it doesn't corrode, and if you take good care of it, it will last you a lifetime. Thanks to its properties, it can be used to create a variety of pieces with different designs – from gold earrings, to atypical wedding rings, to chic pendants and necklaces.
Advantages:
Lasting value
Great design variability
Hypoallergenic
Resistance to normal wear and tear
Can be modified, such as resizing, scratch polishing, etc.
Disadvantages:
Higher purchase price than alternatives. However, if you calculate the CPW (cost per wear), you will get a better deal on gold jewellery due to its long life.
That is why we produce only gold jewellery, not gold plated or vermeil. In short, we prefer to choose quality that we can 100% stand behind, rather than compromise. In our range you will find jewellery in yellow, white and rose gold – each colour has its own unique charm and blends naturally with different skin types. In addition, we offer jewellery in different purities, specifically in 14K and 18K gold variants. While 14K gold is more durable and ideal for everyday wear, 18K gold offers a higher gold content and a slightly more pronounced shine.
We also care about the impact our work has on the planet – also for these reasons we don't waste raw materials and work with recycled gold. We use the gold dust that is produced during the production of jewellery. This dust is then recycled and returned to the process. If sustainability is important to you, you can be sure that we have something to offer in this area too – and this applies not only to gold, but also to ethical lab-created diamonds and other lab-created gemstones.
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Gold-plated jewellery – for short-term fascination
Gold-plated jewellery is usually made of cheaper metal (e.g. brass) and coated with a thin layer of gold. At first glance they may look luxurious, but the layer of gold is often very thin (less than 0.5 microns). Because of this, the golden hue does not look as natural and you can tell it is not gold even at a quick glance.
The jewellery will therefore wear quickly and the base metal will soon show under the golden plate. This type of jewellery is more suited for short-term wear, but don't expect long-term durability when buying such pieces.
Advantages:
Low purchase price
Great design variability
Disadvantages:
Quick loss of gold
Less quality base metal can cause allergies
Short lifespan
And as for the gold-plated stainless steel jewellery trend, which some manufacturers now say can resist water and sweat, don't be tempted. Stainless steel does not change its properties when it comes into contact with water – which is why it is also used to make kitchen appliances. On the other hand, the gold-plated coating will fade over time anyway, regardless of water resistance. It's important to take care of any piece of jewellery, and when it comes to gold, for example, that care will pay off in the long term. Which is not the case with gold-plated jewellery.
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Vermeil – when you are looking for a compromise
The term vermeil is associated with the production of jewellery made of sterling silver (925), which is plated with a thicker layer of gold (at least 2.5 microns). This makes them more durable than conventional gold-plated jewellery, and there is less risk of allergic reactions. But don't expect vermeil jewellery to last long either.
Advantages:
Better workmanship than conventional gold-plated jewellery
Less chance of allergic reactions
Longer life than other gold-plated jewellery
Disadvantages:
Requires careful handling
Easier to wear than gold jewellery
Higher price than other gold-plated jewellery
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If you choose quality jewellery, we are here for you
The bottom line is that nothing can compete with gold jewellery, but of course the decision is yours. Each of these types of accessories has its place in the market today – it just depends on what you expect from the jewellery in question. If you are looking for long-lasting quality, precise handmade, imaginative design that will keep you happy for years, designer jewellery is the obvious choice. Not only will you be supporting local creativity, but you'll also get an original piece of jewellery that will make you happy forever. And that's exactly what you can choose in our studio.
So check out our full range of gold jewellery online. Or make an appointment (775 462 707, info@mialis.cz) at our Mialis jewellery studio in the centre of Prague and choose an engagement ring, an unusual wedding ring or gold earrings as an anniversary gift. You are guaranteed to find a piece that you (or the person you are gifting) will love.
