De fineste vermeil-finishene for smykker kommer fra Italia. Familier av håndverkere har perfeksjonert dette håndverket og gitt det videre fra en generasjon til en annen. I tillegg, det er streng kvalitetskontroll for å beskytte Italias rykte som et smykkeproduksjonssenter i verdensklasse.
Vermeil-smykker importert fra Italia må også oppfylle U.S. reguleringsstandarder, so there are layers of quality control built into every genuine piece of gold vermeil jewelry.
Historisk sett, 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.