Gold-plated, solid gold, or vermeil: how can you tell them apart? | Guide 2026

When you want to sell a piece of jewelry, one question often arises: is it really solid gold?
There is often confusion between gold-plated, solid gold, and vermeil, and this can greatly influence the value of your jewelry when it is being appraised.

Good news: there are several simple methods for recognizing the true nature of a piece of jewelry. In this guide, our experts explain how to avoid mistakes and know exactly what you own.

Solid gold: what is it really?

A solid gold piece of jewelry is made entirely of real gold.
It is always marked with an official hallmark indicating the carat:

• 750 → 18K gold (most common in Belgium)
  
• 585 → 14K gold

• 375 → 9K gold

The higher the carat, the more pure gold it contains.
These are the pieces of jewelry that sell for the highest prices.

How can you recognize solid gold?

• Visible hallmark 750, 585, or 375
  
• Uniform color even in areas subject to wear

No color change on edges, clasps, or backs of rings

Gold-plated: please note, this is not solid gold.

Gold-plated jewelry is NOT actually made of gold: it is a metal (copper, brass, steel, etc.) covered with a thin layer of gold, often invisible to the naked eye.

Typical signs of plated jewelry:

• Hallmarks such as "GP," "GEP," "Plated," "Gold Filled"
  
• Wear revealing a copper or silver color
  
• Significantly lower initial purchase price
  
• Color too yellow or "metallic"

Vermeil: an intermediate case

Vermeil is often confused with solid gold.
It is an object made of solid silver covered with a layer of gold.

Recognizing vermeil:

• Silver hallmark: 925, Sterling, Minerva head
  
• Slight silver tint visible in areas of wear
  
• Yellow less vivid than 18K gold

How can you be 100% sure? Professional testing

At our stores, we test your jewelry for free using:

✔️ The magnetic test

Gold is never magnetic.

✔️ The spectrometer (precise analysis)

Accurate metal analysis — 100% reliable.

These are the only foolproof methods for distinguishing between gold-plated, solid gold, and vermeil.

Why is it important to make a difference?

Type of jewelry	Surrender value
Solid gold	💰💰💰 (high)
Vermeil	💰
Gold-plated	❌ no value

Want to sell gold jewelry in Belgium at the best price?

Good news:

• We provide free valuations for your jewelry (silver, solid gold).
  
• Fast payment at the best price of the day.
  
• No obligation.