Gold That Lasts. Silver That Shines.

When it comes to fine jewelry, not all metals are created equal. From different types of silver to various gold karats, each material offers a unique combination of beauty, quality, and value. Here's a simple guide to help you understand what goes into your jewelry—and why we choose to craft with the best.

Types of Silver in Jewelry

1. Sterling Silver (925 Silver)

Sterling silver is made of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper) for added strength. It’s the most common high-quality silver used in fine jewelry.

  • Hypoallergenic when nickel-free
  • Naturally bright and shiny
  • Can develop a patina over time, but easy to polish

2. Fine Silver (999 Silver)

This is 99.9% pure silver—softer and more prone to bending. It’s often used in collector’s pieces rather than everyday wear.

3. Silver-Plated

A thin layer of silver over a base metal like brass. It’s not as durable and can wear off over time. We do not use silver plating.

At Hermin, we only use full-body Sterling Silver (925) as the base of all our pieces—for long-lasting strength and quality.

Gold Karats in Jewelry

1. 24K Gold

Pure gold—100% gold content. It has a deep yellow color but is too soft for everyday jewelry.

2. 18K Gold

Contains 75% pure gold. It’s richly colored and more valuable, with a luxurious warm tone.

3. 14K Gold

Contains 58.3% pure gold. It offers a beautiful balance of durability and value, ideal for daily wear.

4. 10K Gold and Below

Less gold content and more alloy—less expensive, but also duller and more likely to irritate the skin. We do not use these lower-karat blends.

What is Gold Vermeil? (And Why We Use It)

Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) is a premium technique where a thick layer of real gold is applied over solid sterling silver. For jewelry to legally qualify as “vermeil” in the U.S., it must meet two requirements:

  • The base must be 925 sterling silver (not brass or copper)
  • The gold layer must be at least 2.5 microns thick

Our jewelry is made with full-body sterling silver coated in thick layers of either 14K or 18K gold, ensuring it looks and wears like solid gold—but at a more accessible price point.

Why It Matters

When you wear our jewelry, you’re choosing:

  • Hypoallergenic materials (no nickel, no brass)
  • Real precious metals — not plated or filled
  • Timeless design with lasting quality

Every piece is thoughtfully made to be part of your everyday style—refined, timeless, and undeniably you.