De fineste vermeil finish til smykker kommer fra Italien. Familier af håndværkere har perfektioneret dette håndværk og givet det videre fra en generation til en anden. Derudover, der er streng kvalitetskontrol for at beskytte Italiens omdømme som et smykkeproduktionscenter i verdensklasse.
Vermeil smykker importeret fra Italien skal også opfylde U.S. reguleringsstandarder, so there are layers of quality control built into every genuine piece of gold vermeil jewelry.
Historisk, this jewelry has been made from either:
- fire-gilding
- electrolysis
Fire-gilding, the original process, came from mid-18th century France. But this process was later banned because it used mercury and caused blindness!
Electrolysis is the safer and most often used method today. There are many nuances that affect the quality of the process, but essentially, it uses direct electric currents to create a chemical reaction. This evolved process (when done by skilled craftsmen) results in a more consistent thickness and a quality that will last a lifetime.