9ct gold v 18ct gold vermeil?

[MitzyLeFrouf]

I'm buying earrings for someone for Christmas (budget approx £60). I'm not a jewellery person so am a bit clueless about this kind of thing. Is it better to go for a pair of 9ct gold earrings or a pair of 18ct gold vermeil (which is a fancy term for gold plated as far as I can tell).

Which would you plump for?

I would go for the gold vermeil because it looks lovely and bright which suits me - 9ct gold reminds me of all that I could afford when I was a teenager and seems a bit dull

I would go for the 9ct gold. I'm not a fan of plate.

Got any pics?

9 ct gold every time. Vermeil starts losing its gold plate especially on earrings. Plus it can irritate sensitive ears. And lastly, I ordered something in vermeil. I had to return it as it looked cheap and gaudy.

Well the plated ones she'll have to take off for swimming, showering etc. But the vermeil ones are probably prettier...

18ct gold vermeil option

9 carat option

I'd go with real gold

Go for the 9ct gold
In the end the vermeil won't last. It is just a fancier gold plate.
9ct gold every time! I have learned this the hard way. Monica vinedar quality is awful for this type of thing and the plate rubs off really fast.

Yup def the real gold.

Thanks!

Thinking about it maybe I'll buy something completely different. Don't like the idea of 9ct tarnishing so easily, and don't like the idea of the 18ct plate wearing off.

Would we say 9ct tarnishes? I don't find it does.

Personally I prefer 9ct to vermeil or even 18ct solid simply because it is too yellow otherwise for my skin tone. 14ct rose gold vermeil is fine though. I'm a spring in house of colour language.

Vermeil is plate yes, but it has 100 times the thickness of gold than electroplated and is on a sterling silver base. Depending what it is, it can be re dipped.

I am sensitive to electroplated but due to the thickness of vermeil I can tolerate it.

9ct doesn't tarnish. I'd go for the gold, buying someone gold plated is a bit naff.

I don't find 9ct gold particularly tarnishes..

Ah okay, google told me it tarnishes but I'm happy to hear it's wrong!

It does not tarnish!

It doesn't necessarily tarnish.

I'm currently wearing my grandmothers 9ct wedding ring and it looks perfect. She wore it every day for 60 odd years.

Sorry for 'tarnishing' your good name 9 ct gold!

Ba-doom-tish!

Def. 9ct real solid gold. Lucky friend!

How about 9ct rose gold
That has got to be cheaper??

Rise gold isn't cheaper.

Interestingly I've found that the brand sold as IBB in John Lewis is significantly cheaper there than the same range which is sold as Pure Luxuries in Debenhams.

John Lewis

Debenhams

And cheaper again on Amazon.

Go for 9ct.

What on earth makes people think rose gold would be cheaper?!