Vermeil is gold plated jewelry over sterling silver to ensure a long lasting hold over the gold and an attractive look even after the gold begins to wear. Simple gold plated jewelry on the other hand uses base metals underneath the gold that accelerate the rate the gold wears down. The vermeil jewelry found here at Pennyweights uses no less than 18 carat and usually 22 carat gold plating. Our vermeil is also nearly twice the required thickness needed to be considered Vermeil (4-5 micrometers vs the minimum of 2.5). This means that our vermeil jewelry will wear better and last longer than compared to other jewelry stores.