Tanya
on
Aug 16, 2008 12:21 PM PDT
Gold has enjoyed a comeback in the last few years, but with historically high prices, who can afford to follow the trend? YOU can, if you know how to shop for gold that fits your budget. Gold-plated refers to karat gold over base metal, usually brass. According to Federal Trade Commission regulations, the gold layer must be at least 0.50 microns in thickness, compare that to the width of an average human hair at about 100 microns. This is the least expensive option since it contains the least amount of karat gold. Vermeil (pronounced "ver-MAY") is usually not less than 10kt gold but is more often 18kt or 22kt gold plated over sterling silver. Although one might think that the same standards would apply to vermeil as to gold-plate, since both processes involve electrolytically depositing a layer of gold over another metal, vermeil must actually have a gold layer of not less than 2.5 microns in order to be legitimately sold as vermeil and not as gold-plated silver. Click READ MORE for the rest, and be sure to check out the slideshow!
