Choosing the right finish for lasting shine
When shopping for gold jewellery, you’ll often come across two terms—gold plated and PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) gold plating. While they may look similar at first, they’re very different in terms of durability, quality, and long-term value.
🔸 What is Gold Plated Jewellery?
Gold-plated jewellery has a thin layer of gold applied over a base metal like brass or copper. It’s affordable, but the gold layer is usually less than 0.5 microns thick, making it prone to fading, tarnishing, and peeling—especially with regular wear or exposure to moisture.
🔸 What is PVD Gold Plating?
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a modern technique that bonds a thicker layer of 18K gold onto stainless steel or silver in a vacuum environment. This process creates a hard, long-lasting, scratch-resistant coating that won’t easily fade or chip—even with daily use.
🔸 Final Verdict:
If you want affordable jewellery for short-term use, gold-plated might work. But if you're looking for long-lasting, everyday jewellery that won’t tarnish or irritate your skin, 18K gold PVD is the smarter, more durable choice.