Vermeil

Pronounced vehr-MAY.  Vermeil is real gold over sterling silver.   A thin deposit of gold is electroplated or electrochemically applied to the sterling silver.  By law the gold coating must be of at least 10kt and a minimum of 2-1/2 microns (approximately 100 millionths of an inch) thick.

Vermeil is more wear- and scratch-resistant than is gold plate.  I occasionally use vermeil components in my jewelry.