Let’s face it, most people don’t know (or care) what kind of coating their gold jewellery has… until it starts to wear off.
The gold turns patchy. The shine fades. You’re left with something that looks nothing like what you bought.
That’s exactly why we use 18k gold PVD coating on all our gold pieces at ARMR. It gives you the look and feel of gold, with far less of the flaking and fading you get from basic plating.
Here’s what that actually means.
First up: What is PVD coating?
PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition. Sounds fancy, but the process is simple in principle:
- The piece (usually made from stainless steel) is placed in a vacuum chamber.
- Gold particles are vaporised into a fine mist using heat or electrical charge.
- That mist bonds at a molecular level to the surface of the jewellery.
- The result? A thin but strong coating of gold that fuses with the base metal.
This isn’t your basic gold plating. PVD is generally harder, more durable, and less likely to wear off.
What level of gold do we use at ARMR?
We use 18k gold PVD coating, which strikes a balance of depth, durability, and richness in colour.
- 18k gold means it’s made from 75% pure gold, blended with other metals for strength and tone.
- It gives that warm, luxurious yellow gold look, not too brassy, not too dull.
That coating is applied in ultra-thin, even layers that bond tightly to the steel beneath. You get the golden finish you’re after, with much less worry about it rubbing off after a few wears.
Why is PVD better than traditional plating?
Standard gold plating (like electroplating) is often:
- Soft and easily scratched
- Prone to rubbing off with sweat, skin oils, or moisture
- Only microns thick, often over cheaper base metals like brass or copper
PVD, on the other hand:
- Is generally harder and more durable
- Is designed to resist tarnish, peeling and flaking
- Is resistant to sweat, water, and everyday wear
- Has a smoother, cleaner finish that holds colour longer
Basically, if you’re going to wear your jewellery often, or even every day, PVD-coated gold is a smarter bet.
Why is the colour designed to last?
Because of how PVD bonds to the base metal, the gold colour doesn’t just sit on the surface like paint. It’s fused in.
That means it’s resistant to:
- Everyday scratches
- Moisture
- Heat
- Sweat
It’s not invincible, and like any coating it can wear over time with heavy friction, but for most people, ARMR gold jewellery keeps its colour well with everyday wear and simple care.
Final word
We’re not trying to pretend our jewellery is solid gold. That would cost a fortune, and frankly, it wouldn’t hold up half as well.
We’ve chosen 18k gold PVD coating because it gives you the look of gold, the feel of premium jewellery, and the durability you need for everyday life.
So whether you’re dressing up or keeping it casual, you can wear ARMR gold jewellery confidently, with very little polish, stress or fading.
