Gold can look deceptively simple. But 9ct solid gold and 18ct gold vermeil are quite different, both in how they’re made and how they wear.
Here’s what separates the two.
What does “carat” actually mean?
Carat refers to the purity of gold, or how much pure gold is present alongside the other metals used to create the alloy.
24ct is pure gold, but its softness means it isn’t always practical for jewellery designed to be worn regularly. 18ct gold is 75% pure gold, while 9ct gold contains 37.5%.
That difference in composition affects everything from colour to durability.
9ct gold
9ct gold is solid gold throughout. It isn’t a surface treatment or layer of gold over another metal.
Because it contains a higher proportion of other metals than 18ct gold, it is also harder, making it particularly well suited to jewellery intended for regular wear.
Our Mini 9ct Gold Ball Necklace is made entirely in 9ct solid gold. Small, simple and designed to become one of those pieces you reach for without thinking too much about it.
18ct gold vermeil
Gold vermeil is constructed differently.
Our vermeil pieces begin with recycled sterling silver and are finished with a 2.5 micron layer of 18ct gold.
Because 18ct gold contains a higher percentage of pure gold than 9ct, it has a richer, warmer colour. Vermeil allows us to bring that warmth to larger, more sculptural pieces without the price that the same piece in solid gold would carry.
You’ll find it across designs including our Gold Bangles and Gold Hoop Earrings.
So, which should you choose?
Neither is inherently better. They simply offer different things.
9ct gold makes sense when you want the piece to be solid gold throughout, particularly for smaller designs you plan to wear regularly.
18ct gold vermeil offers the richer colour of 18ct gold over a sterling silver base, making it particularly suited to larger pieces where form and presence are part of the design.
It’s why you’ll find both within the SOPHIE ANNA collections. The material is considered alongside the design, rather than chosen by a single rule.
And what about gold plating?
You won’t find conventional gold-plated jewellery in the SOPHIE ANNA collections.
The distinction is in the construction. Our gold vermeil uses sterling silver as its base, finished with 2.5 microns of 18ct gold.
Like any surface finish, vermeil will change with wear over time. How quickly that happens depends on how often it is worn and how it is cared for, but the heavier gold layer is one of the things that distinguishes vermeil from conventional gold plating.