Mar 19, 2026

A Guide to Sterling Silver and Gold Vermeil Jewellery

When choosing jewellery, two metals appear time and again — sterling silver and gold vermeil.

Both offer beauty, durability and timeless appeal, but each has its own unique qualities.

At Blackbird Jewellery, many of our designs are available in both metals, allowing you to choose the tone that suits your style best.

What is Sterling Silver?

Sterling silver is one of the most widely used precious metals in jewellery.

It is made from 92.5% pure silver, combined with a small amount of other metal to increase strength and durability.

Sterling silver jewellery is loved for its:

• cool, bright shine
• durability
• timeless appearance

Gold vermeil is a high-quality form of gold plated jewellery.

To be considered vermeil, a piece must have:

• a sterling silver base
• a thick layer of gold
• precious metal underneath the gold

This makes gold vermeil far more durable than standard gold plating.

Yes — mixing metals has become one of the most popular ways to style jewellery.

Combining silver and gold creates contrast while allowing you to wear more pieces together.

Simple ways to mix metals include:

• layering necklaces of different tones
• stacking rings in silver and gold
• combining bracelets in mixed metals

At Blackbird Jewellery, our collections feature both sterling silver and gold vermeil designs, inspired by birds, flowers and woodland details.

Explore the collections to find pieces that suit your style.