Gold-plated: why does this name really guarantee the quality of your jewelry in France?
And why is vermeil an even more demanding high-end alternative?
Between gilded with fine gold, PVD, gold plated, it's hard for consumers to know what they're really buying. However, not all of these mentions are equal. In France, the name “Gold Plated”, like that of “Vermeil”, is one of the rare terms strictly supervised by customs, guaranteeing genuine manufacturing quality.
Why are these names reliable, how to recognize them, and why do they protect both consumers and jewelry brands?
An appellation regulated by French Customs.
Contrary to numerous commercial terms used in costume jewelry, “gold-plated” is an official name. For a piece of jewelry to benefit from it, the regulations impose a very specific condition:
👉 A thickness of at least 3 microns of gold is deposited on the base metal, over the entire visible surface of the jewelry.
This threshold is nothing trivial, it guarantees a increased wear resistance, a long-lasting brilliance, better resistance to friction, water and daily wear. In France, the “Gold Plated” designation is subject to the most stringent criteria, with a higher minimum thickness than in neighboring countries such as Belgium or Switzerland. Below 3 microns, we simply speak of “Golden”, “Gilded with fine gold”, “PVD”... terms unregulated, which do not offer any legal guarantees.
Better durability thanks to a controlled gold layer.
A gold-plated piece of jewelry is not a prettier “Golden” piece of jewelry: it is a piece of jewelry whose gold layer corresponds to precise finishing standards.
The electrolytic gilding process used by professional workshops, such as Micronor TS Decoration, allows complete control of the deposit:
- Preparation of the metal
- Activating the surface
- Electrolytic deposit
- Gold thickness check
This protocol guarantees a uniform color, excellent adhesion, and superior durability. This is what really distinguishes gold-plated jewelry from jewelry that is simply “gilded with fine gold”, which is often fragile and sensitive to oxidation.
An appellation that protects the consumer and values know-how.
In France, it is illegal to sell “Gold-plated” jewelry without respecting the minimum thickness of 3 microns. This regulation allows protect buyers, who can rely on a framed mention, and promote French workshops that meet quality standards.
Gold-plated jewelry means supporting demanding know-how, controlled materials and transparent manufacturing.
Gold-plated, gold-plated, PVD... the differences you need to know.
Not all gold finishes are created equal. Let's clarify their characteristics:
- “Gold-plated” is a regulated designation that guarantees the deposit of at least 3 microns of gold on the base metal, ensuring a good durability in time.
- The “Vermeil”, even more demanding, is also regulated and is based on a sterling silver mini 925, covered with at least 5 microns of gold, most often in 18K or 22K, which gives it a very high durability.
- Conversely, the terms “Gilded with fine gold” or “PVD” are not governed by regulations. The thickness of gold is there variable, not controlled, and often involves marketing. In the case of PVD, the deposit is extremely fine, sometimes without real gold, which explains a low to very low durability depending on the case.
Many imported products cause confusion. What is the best way to avoid an unpleasant surprise? Check for “Gold Plated”.
Attention: in English, “Gold plated” is not the equivalent of our “Gold plated” in France. In reality, it refers to simple gilding by electrolysis.
Vermeil: the most demanding French appellation.
The Vermeil represents an even more high-end version than gold plated. With its characteristics seen previously, it combines:
- The nobility of silver
- A strong thickness of gold
- Exceptional durability
- A much more accessible price than solid gold
For premium brands, it is an excellent compromise between luxury, resistance and cost control.
How do you recognize real gold-plated or vermeil jewelry?
✅ The official mention:
“Gold plated” or “vermeil” should be clearly marked.
✅ The thickness
- At least 3 microns of gold For gold plating
- At least 5 microns of gold For the vermeil
✅ The base metal
- All metal for gold plating
- Sterling silver (minimum 925) is mandatory For the vermeil
✅ The awls
Micronor TS Decoration has its 2 master marks, indicted by French customs: Gold Plated and Vermeil.
✅ The seriousness of the workshop
A professional gilder communicates about their processes, thickness tests, and quality standards.
Why should brands prefer official names?
For a brand, using the right name is not just a question of transparency: it's a real competitive advantage. A “Gold-plated” or “Vermeil” piece of jewelry makes it possible to immediately reassure customers, avoid confusion or complaints, enhance professional know-how and differentiate itself from low-end imported products.
It is also an excellent way to support specialized workshops such as Micronor TS Decoration, which are able to guarantee reliable processes and consistent quality.
In a few words
The name ”Gold plated” in France is the only official guarantee that a piece of jewelry has a gold layer thick enough to withstand the wear and tear of time. For its part, the Vermeil represents the highest-end option before solid gold, thanks to its higher gold thickness and silver base.
For creators as well as for consumers, verifying these designations is essential to judge the true quality of a piece of jewelry and to support demanding and controlled French know-how.