Gold-filled, gold plate, and vermeil: what the terms mean
Layers of karat gold over another metal, and how each term is defined.
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Gold filled
Section 23.3(c)(2) says "Gold Filled" may be used when a plating of gold alloy of at least 10 karat is affixed by mechanical means to all significant surfaces and makes up at least 1/20th of the weight of the metal in the whole article. The karat of the plating should come immediately before the term.
Gold plate and rolled gold plate
The same section allows "Gold Plate", "Gold Overlay", or "Rolled Gold Plate" for a mechanically applied plating of at least 10 karat that makes up at least 1/40th of the metal's weight, with the karat first, for example "1/40th 12 Kt. Rolled Gold Plate".
Gold electroplate
Section 23.3(c)(3) allows "Gold Electroplate" for an electroplating of at least 10 karat with a minimum thickness equivalent to 0.175 microns of fine gold, and "Heavy Gold Electroplate" at 2 1/2 microns, with the karat first.
Vermeil
Section 23.4 says "vermeil" may describe a base of sterling silver coated or plated on all significant surfaces with gold or gold alloy of at least 10 karat, of reasonable durability, and at least 2 1/2 microns thick, equivalent in fine gold. If a base metal sits between the silver base and the gold plating, a note says the listing should disclose it.
A wash over base metal
Section 23.3(b)(7) says a listing should disclose when a gold plating has been covered with a base metal, such as nickel, and then a thin wash of gold.
Marks on plated pieces
15 U.S.C. 297 says a fineness mark on a plated or gold filled article should come with words that show it is plated or gold filled, and that such articles should not be stamped "sterling" or "coin".
FAQ
General information only. We are not a jeweler, appraiser, or gemological lab, and we do not grade, appraise, or verify any stone or metal. Before you buy, read the seller's full description, including whether a diamond is mined or laboratory-grown, any treatment, the metal's karat or fineness, and the weight, and check any grading report with the lab that issued it.
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The karat comes first.
