Vermeil pronounced vur-may, is produced by powder coating sterling silver with carat gold. A base metal is never used here. It is sometimes called "gilded silver" and is made using a process of electrolysis (electricity and an acid bath) to attach the gold to the sterling silver. The gold in Vermeil needs to be at least 10 carat and at least 1.5micrometers thick. This is more hardwearing than electroplated items, but much less hardwearing than gold filled. We tend to use this for earrings only as a change and contrast, as the coating of gold could wear off in time due to its thinness