Vermeil vs Gold-filled vs Gold-plated

Vermeil : Pronounced: Vermay) is sterling silver that has been gold-plated. This is a good combination for those with allergy to normal, plated findings. The difference between vermeil, and gold-filled, is in the thickness of the gold and the base metal used. In vermeil, the base is sterling silver. The standard is for the gold plating to be much thicker than ordinary plating

Gold-filled : also called rolled-gold. These jewellery findings are not actually filled with gold! They are made of a base metal (usually brass or copper) covered by sheets of gold in a mechanical bonding process. Effectively a thick coat of gold: the gold content is 5% or 1/20 of the total weight. Use gold-filled items for your top-of-the-line jewellery. Usually made with 14k gold, it is hard wearing. With reasonable care it will not peel or flake, and should last as long as solid 14k gold jewellery. It is safe for most people with sensitive skin

See my Gold-filled items

http://www.etsy.com/listing/61845000/mint-alabaster-swarovsky-ring

Gold jewellery reacts with chlorine. Never take your gold jewellery into a pool or spa.
Gold-plated : A base metal such as steel or brass is dipped into a bath of electroplating solution, with a lump of solid gold. When an electric current is applied, a thin layer of gold is deposited on the metal. Since the plating is quite thin, the plate (and hence the colour) on findings can wear off.