Jewellery Care: Vermeil

Vermeil and 925 (Sterling) silver jewelry have the same or similar care.

GOOD TO KNOW

Tarnish

It is normal for Vermeil to slowly tarnish, but it may be removed easily. 

Note: Even pure gold jewelry will tarnish over time. 

Wear

If eventually your Vermeil develops signs of wear, just bring it to any jewelry store to have the gold layer reapplied.

Note: 10-14k gold is ideal for Vermeil, as these alloys are strongest.

 

Wearing Tips

Same as 925 silver (see Wearing Tips).

 

Storing Tips

Same as 925 silver (see Storing Tips).

 

Cleaning Tips

Use only these methods* and cloths for Vermeil.  

Recommended Methods*

• Wipe-down: after every wearing
• Dish Soap: clean regularly
• Gentle Polish: only after Dish Liquid method

Note: Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners on vermeil. 

Cloths

• Smooth microfiber (e.g., lens cloth)
• Jewellery cloth (non polishing) 
• Flannel (lint free)

Note: Never use a polishing cloth, any type of paper product (e.g., tissue), or chemical cleaners as they are too abrasive. 

* General Disclaimer

These methods are for cleaning Vermeil jewellery, with no set gems** (see Jewelry Care: Set Gems). We can not accept responsibility for any harm that may come to jewelry following these methods.

Wipe-down

A gentle cloth to wipe-down at end of day.  

Summary

1. Use a gentle cloth (see Cloths above)
2. Rub very gentle to remove dirt, oils, and moisture
3. Wipe after each wearing

Note: Never use a polishing cloth or any type of paper product (e.g., tissue) as they are too abrasive.

STEPS

Be very gentle, and use long back and forth strokes that follow any grain.  Use only clean parts of the cloth. Avoid circular motions, as dislodged dirt may scratch. 

Dish Liquid

This will remove any dirt (seen or unseen) and light tarnish.

Summary

Do not submerge or apply cleaning solution to any set gems.**

1. Mix dish liquid into lukewarm water. Rinse pieces with fresh warm water, then soak in solution for 5 minutes or so (not more than 30). 
2. Use a clean cloth (see Cloths, above) or bare fingers to very gently rub each piece. Only if needed, use an extra soft toothbrush, being very gentle. 
3. Rinse well with fresh warm water. Then gently pat dry with soft cloth (see Cloths, above). When bone dry, put into storage.

Note: Never use a polishing cloth, any type of paper product (e.g., tissue), or chemical cleaners as they are too abrasive.

Type of Dish liquid

• A gentle one (ideally plant-based)
• Must be ammonia and phosphate free
• Not antibacterial
• Ideally unscented (at least no citrus)

Step 1

Solution

Mix 1-3 drops of mild dish soap into an appropriate amount of lukewarm water.

Rinse

Rinse pieces with clean warm water to remove any dust or loose dirt. Use bare hands or nitrile gloves (no other type).

Soak

Soak pieces in solution for about 5 minutes (but not more than 30), depending on level of cleaning required.

Step 2

Clean

Dip a clean soft cloth (see Cloths, above) into solution, then very gently rub using long strokes following any grain. Do not use circular motions, as this may cause dislodged dirt to scratch.

Crevices/Tarnish

Only if required, use an old extra-soft toothbrush (natural-bristles ideally), and very gently brush until clean.

Step 3

Rinse

Rinse in clean warm water. Next, if needed, pieces may be placed in a separate bowl of clean warm water (do not let total submerged time exceed 30 min), until ready for next step. 

Note: Do not let wet pieces sit exposed to air while waiting to be cleaned/dried.

Dry

Use a clean dry cloth (see Cloths, above) to gently pat dry. 

If needed, very gently buff with gentle cloth (see Cloths, above).

Store

Let sit until bone dry, then place into storage (see Storing Tips).

Gentle Polish

Only use this method* after first using the Dish Liquid method.

Summary

1. Rub with gentle cloth (see Cloths, above) until clean
2. If still needed, GENTLY rub with gold polishing cloth

Note: Polishing cloth must not be for silver, and never use any type of paper product (e.g., tissue), or chemical cleaners, as these are too abrasive. 

Steps

Use a clean dry cloth (see Cloths, above) and see if rubbing - now that no dirt will scratch - will remove the discolouration. 

If tarnish remains, then using the least abrasive gold polishing cloth, VERY GENTLY rub the discolouration until gone.

Note: Polishing cloths contain abrasives that will wear down the gold layer, so use them only as a last resort. 

 

 

* General Disclaimer

These methods are for cleaning Vermeil jewellery, with no set gems** (see Jewelry Care: Set Gems). We can not accept responsibility for any harm that may come to jewelry following these methods.

** Set Gems Disclaimer

Do NOT submerge or cover any gem settings with a cleaning solution. You must research the best way to clean the given piece(s) depending on which gems they are set with. See Jewelry Care: Set Gems.