Vermeil

   Gold vermeil, or just vermeil, is a term used to refer to jewelry or other items made of silver and coated with gold. The word “vermeil” comes from French and is pronounced “ver-may.”

   An alternative term is “silver-gilt” (or “gilded silver”), which has the same meaning as “vermeil.”

   Vermeil jewelry is made by first creating the base of the item out of silver and then plating it with a thin layer of gold. The method used to cover the surface of the piece with gold is called electrolysis. 

   In general, if you are wearing vermeil, you shouldn’t be worried about allergic reactions to nickel as this type of jewelry usually does not contain the metal.