Demi-Fine Jewelry Guide
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What is demi-fine jewelry?
Kendra Scott Demi-Fine Jewelry is crafted in 925 sterling silver or 18K gold vermeil, which features a layer of 18K gold over a sterling silver base. These metal materials offer a more attainable alternative to solid gold, with styles ranging from classic hoops and layering chains to meaningful pendants. Choosing your piece comes down to the metal tone, design, and care needs that fit your everyday routine.
- Look for the exact metal construction, not gold or silver color alone.
- 18K Gold Vermeil has a sterling silver base beneath its gold layer.
- Choose a silhouette you love and a care routine you can follow.
What is demi-fine jewelry?
At Kendra Scott, Demi-Fine Jewelry includes pieces crafted in 925 sterling silver or 18K gold vermeil. Sterling silver is a metal alloy, while gold vermeil combines a sterling silver base with a layer of gold. These materials offer different colors and finishes, giving you room to choose what feels right for your style.
Demi-fine describes the materials used in a piece, so a delicate shape or gold-colored finish alone doesn't tell you how it's made. Start with the product's metal description, then explore the stones, dimensions, and other details that make it your own.
Get to know sterling silver and gold vermeil
Sterling silver
Our sterling silver combines 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. Pure silver is relatively soft; adding copper creates an alloy with greater strength for jewelry. The term describes the metal itself, rather than a silver-colored coating over another base material.
If you love a cool silver tone, explore our sterling silver jewelry. For a closer look at its composition, finishes, and care, visit our sterling silver jewelry guide.
18k gold vermeil
Gold vermeil starts with sterling silver and adds a layer of gold. Our 18K gold vermeil offers the warm color of gold over a precious-metal base. The 18K describes the gold layer; the piece is not solid 18K gold throughout.
Explore our 18K gold vermeil jewelry for chains, pendants, earrings, and rings. Like other plated finishes, the gold layer can show wear over time, so thoughtful care helps preserve its appearance.
Where can I find the metal used in my jewelry?
On each Kendra Scott product page, look for the metal listed in the product details. This tells you how the piece is made, such as 925 sterling silver, 18K gold vermeil, 14K gold over brass, 14K gold-filled, or solid 14K gold. If a style comes in multiple metal options, select your preferred option before reviewing the details.
For a piece you already own, try searching its name on our website to find its product details. If you're unsure, contact our Customer Service team for help before choosing a cleaning method.
Compare demi-fine with other metals
| Feature | 925 Sterling Silver (Demi-Fine) | 18K Gold Vermeil (Demi-Fine) | 14K Yellow Gold Over Brass (Fashion) | 14K Gold-Filled (Ever) | 14K Yellow Gold (Fine) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal construction | 925 Sterling Silver | An 18K gold layer over a sterling silver base | A 14K yellow gold layer over a brass base. | A layer of 14K gold bonded to a brass core using heat and pressure. | A 14K gold alloy throughout, rather than gold layered over another metal. |
| Appearance | Cool silver tone. | Warm gold tone. | Warm yellow gold tone. | Warm yellow gold tone. | Warm yellow gold tone. |
| Durability | Suitable for frequent wear with care; may tarnish with prolonged moisture or exposure to perspiration, salt water, or chlorine. | Generally more resistant to wear than traditional gold plating; the gold layer can still wear over time. | Can wear with friction and exposure; mindful wear and care help preserve the finish. | More durable than traditional gold plating; water-resistant, sweat-resistant, and tarnish-resistant. | Designed for lasting wear with proper care; can still scratch, and stones and settings need protection. |
| Price point | $$–$$$ | $$–$$$ | $–$$ | $$–$$$ | $$$–$$$$ |
Durability varies by construction, wear, and care. Price symbols indicate relative price points across collections. Prices vary by style and materials.
How to choose demi-fine jewelry
Start with a piece you can picture wearing, then look at the details that will help it feel at home in your collection.
- Choose your metal tone. Think about the jewelry you already love. Sterling silver brings a cool tone, while gold vermeil adds warmth. Mixing the two is welcome, too.
- Consider your routine. Choose pieces you can comfortably remove before water, exercise, or cleaning. Think about how rings and bracelets may come into contact with surfaces throughout your day.
- Check the fit. Review necklace lengths and extenders, bracelet measurements, and ring sizes. For earrings, check dimensions, closures, and whether the listing is for a pair or a single earring.
- Make it personal. An initial, meaningful motif, or favorite color can make a piece feel especially thoughtful. For a gift, take cues from the recipient's favorite jewelry and check the selected style's materials and sizing.
How to care for demi-fine jewelry
A few simple habits help protect the metal, finish, and any stones or accents.
- Remove jewelry before showering, swimming, exercising, washing your hands, or cleaning.
- Keep pieces away from soaps, perfume, lotion, makeup, hair products, household cleaners, and extreme heat.
- For sterling silver, use an appropriate polishing cloth and rub gently in one direction. Avoid tissues and paper towels, which can scratch.
- For gold vermeil, use a soft, nonabrasive cloth gently. Do not use silver cleaner or abrasive polishing products on the gold layer.
- Store dry pieces separately in a jewelry pouch or lined box. Check care instructions for stones and finishes before using a cleaner.
For more guidance, visit our Jewelry Care & Repair page.
Frequently asked questions
Kendra Scott's demi-fine offerings include 925 Sterling Silver and 18K Gold Vermeil. Vermeil has an 18K gold layer over a sterling silver base, so gold or silver appearance alone does not describe the full construction.
Yes, demi-fine jewelry can be part of your everyday rotation. Choose pieces that suit your routine and follow the care instructions for their materials, finishes, and stones.
Yes. Our 18K gold vermeil features a layer of real 18K gold over sterling silver. It differs from solid-gold jewelry, which is made from a gold alloy throughout.
Do not assume a demi-fine piece is suitable for showering based on its category. Remove it before showering unless its individual care instructions explicitly permit that exposure.
They describe different constructions. Kendra Scott Demi-Fine Jewelry includes sterling silver and 18K gold vermeil. Kendra Scott Ever uses 14K gold-filled materials, with gold bonded to a brass core.