Gold, Plated, Gold Filled, Vermeil: The unfiltered guide to (finally) understanding everything

We've all been there. That little "gold" necklace bought on a whim that, after two weeks and three showers, turns greyish or leaves a green stain on the skin... Frustrating, isn't it?

At Opaline Paris , we believe you deserve to know what you're buying. The jewelry world sometimes maintains a certain ambiguity between fine gold plating , gold plating , gold filled , and vermeil .

Today, we're laying our cards on the table. We'll explain the real differences so you can choose jewelry that will stay beautiful for a long time, without necessarily breaking the bank.

1. The "Gold-Gilded" (or Flash) Option: Planned Disappointment

This is the most misleading term. "Thin" sounds elegant, but it actually refers to the thickness of the gold layer, which is... minuscule (less than 1 micron). It's an infinitesimal film applied to a base metal (brass). As a result, the layer disappears with the slightest friction. It's the quintessential "disposable" costume jewelry.

2. The Opaline standard: 3 Micron Gold Plated on Silver (The equivalent of US Vermeil)

This is the current signature of Opaline Paris. We have made a rare choice: to combine the nobility of silver with the robustness of certified plating.

• The base: Only solid S925 silver . No brass, no nickel, no risk of allergies. It is a precious metal.
• The gold layer: We apply 3 microns of gold by electrolysis.

💡 Did you know? In France, the term "Vermeil" is very strict (5 microns). But in the United States , the standard for Vermeil is set at 2.5 microns. This means that with our 3 microns , Opaline Paris jewelry exceeds the standards of American Vermeil ("Sterling Silver Vermeil"). You are therefore buying a quality considered luxury across the Atlantic, at an accessible price.

3. 18k "Gold Filled" on Silver: The revolution (Coming soon to Opaline!)

You may have heard of it as the "top of the line" from the USA. Gold Filled (literally "filled gold") is a different technique from plating.

Instead of depositing gold electrically (plating), a very thick solid gold tube is mechanically pressed onto the metal base.

• The major difference: There is 50 to 100 times more gold than in a classic plated piece of jewelry!
• Opaline Innovation: Gold Filled is usually done on brass. But for our upcoming "Prestige" collection, we've decided to go all the way: we'll be offering 18k Gold Filled on a S925 Silver base .
• The result? An ultra-resistant, waterproof piece of jewelry with the brilliance of 18-karat gold and the soul of silver. It's the perfect bridge between gold plating and solid gold.

4. Vermeil (French Standard)

In France, to use the word "Vermeil" on a label, there must be 5 microns of gold plating on silver. It's a magnificent, very old quality, but it often doubles the price of the piece of jewelry compared to 3 microns, for a visual difference imperceptible to the naked eye.

5. Solid Gold (18 karat): The eternal

Composed of 75% pure gold. Unalterable, eternal... and extremely expensive. It's a once-in-a-lifetime investment.

The Recap: What do I choose?

To help you navigate our store (and elsewhere), here is a simplified comparison guide:

Why do we make these choices?

At Opaline Paris, our mission is to democratize fine jewelry . Whether you fall for our timeless 3-micron gold-plated pieces (US Vermeil quality) or soon for our exceptional 18k gold-filled pieces, you are guaranteed to have S925 silver against your skin.

Because a piece of jewelry is first and foremost an emotion, and we don't want that emotion to oxidize.

Do you have any questions?

Can't decide between two finishes? Write to us on social media or by email, we love chatting about jewelry and helping you find the perfect piece for your lifestyle!