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PVD 18K Coating in Jewelry – A Modern Finish for Timeless Beauty
The allure of gold or silver is hard to discount. Over the years, the value of these two metals has been steadily rising. The same goes for the jewelry that has been made from these two materials. Their value has always remained true, no matter the generation that is handling the jewelry.
However, there is a big difference between jewelry that has been fashioned entirely out of the metal it is made from, say, gold, and one that just has a coating of that metal. The most significant difference comes in cost. A piece of jewelry made out of pure gold will be considerably more expensive than a piece that has been coated with gold.
In today’s jewelry industry, PVD coating (Physical Vapor Deposition) is becoming a popular choice for achieving long-lasting, beautiful finishes that are both durable and environmentally friendly. It’s a technique especially for stainless steel jewelry. Among various coating options, 18K gold PVD coating stands out for its elegant appearance and practical advantages, offering a perfect balance between luxury and performance.
WHAT IS PVD COATING?
PVD is a vacuum coating process where thin layers of material—such as gold, titanium, or stainless steel—are deposited onto a jewelry surface. When 18K gold is used in the process, the result is a rich, authentic-looking gold finish that mimics solid gold while offering superior durability and cost efficiency.
KEY ADVANTAGES OF 18K PVD COATING:
High Durability: PVD-coated jewelry resists scratches, corrosion, and general wear much better than traditional gold plating.
Color Retention: The gold color stays vibrant longer and is less likely to fade or tarnish.
Long–lasting: highly resistant to wear from sweat, perfume, and other things that may come into contact with the piece of jewelry.
Cost-Effective: PVD allows designers to achieve a luxurious gold finish at a fraction of the cost of solid gold—ideal for fashion jewelry and mid-high-end collections.
This is for good reasons:
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– Stainless steel and titanium—common PVD bases—are hard and rigid, allowing the PVD layer to bond tightly without cracking.
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– PVD is extremely durable, ideal for mass production of fashion jewelry or men’s accessories where long-lasting finish and scratch resistance are priorities.
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– It’s not compatible with softer materials like sterling silver (925), as silver’s surface is more prone to micro-movement, making PVD less stable over time.
At PNJP, we do not apply PVD on silver or gold. Instead, we specialize in gold plating and vermeil on sterling silver (925) for the following reasons:
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Reliable Adhesion: Electroplating bonds better with silver, ensuring longer-lasting results.
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Aesthetic Flexibility: Offers a softer, more elegant finish suited for high-end jewelry designs.
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Repairability: Unlike PVD, plated/vermeil pieces can be easily refinished or restored.
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Market Alignment: Gold-plated silver aligns with consumer expectations for fine jewelry and allows for more creative freedom.
We mostly use 18K and 22K solid gold for the layer dependent on the gold color that is asked by different markets. Dependent on the demand of different markets, PNJP is manufacturing gold plated jewelry pieces from thinnest 0.5 micron to thickest 3.0 micron.
If your brand works primarily with silver-based jewelry, we highly recommend opting for gold plating or vermeil instead of PVD. It’s the best combination of elegance, performance, and flexibility—supporting both your design goals and your customer experience.
Want to learn more about how gold-plated jewelry works and why it’s a popular option?
Read our full article here: Gold plated jewelry things you need to know
Let’s create jewelry that not only looks luxurious—but lasts beautifully.