When looking for new piercings or earrings, you may look at a few that come with a plating. Jewellery plating techniques are applied to attach a coloured or protective layer. On this page we explain the various material platings you find on our website.
What is Gold Plated Jewellery?
Gold plating is a technique of deposing a thin layer of gold into the product's base material. 18 Karat or 14 Karat gold is used for the plating, and the thickness is usually around 0.5 microns.
Please be aware that gold plated jewellery will slowly fade and eventually cause tarnishing of the surface. Although this process can take months or even years, your skin will get into contact with the base material at some point.
As the gold plating is extremely thin, such jewellery is not suitable for moist places, such as the mouth. We recommend not to wear such jewellery while showering, exercising, swimming or going to the beach. Also, prevent exposure to perfume, hair spray, makeup and chemical cleaners. Be careful not to brush the plating off due to friction.
What is PVD Plated Jewellery?
PVD plating is a modern technique for applying a coloured layer to products. PVD plating is also known as Ion or IP plating. PVD plating is considered much more durable to conventional methods, such as gold plating.
The coating material (titanium nitride) gets vaporized by an electrical charge. Once the coating is propelled onto the base material, an opposite electrical charge ensures the coating is forced onto the base material.
PVD plated jewellery is often available in vibrant colours, including gold and rose gold. Please be aware that PVD plated jewellery will slowly fade and eventually cause tarnishing of the surface. Although this process can take many months or even years, your skin will get into contact with the base material at some point.
When you wear PVD plated jewellery in moist places, such as the mouth, acids can rapidly cause discolouration. Also, prevent exposure to sweat, perfume, hair spray, makeup and chemical cleaners.
What is Platinum Plated Jewellery?
Platinum plating is a technique of deposing a thin layer of platinum into the product's base material. The platinum plating makes the jewellery less subjective to oxidation and wear and tear. As platinum is a costly material, the thickness is less than 0.5 microns.
Platinum plated jewellery is usually made of a metal that can tarnish quickly, such as Sterling Silver or Brass. Please be aware that platinum plated jewellery will fade and eventually cause tarnishing of the surface. Although this process can take months or even years, your skin will get into contact with the base material at some point.
As the platinum plating is extremely thin, such jewellery is unsuitable for moist places, such as the mouth. We recommend not to wear such jewellery while showering, exercising, swimming or going to the beach. Also, prevent exposure to perfume, hair spray, makeup and chemical cleaners. Be careful not to brush the plating off due to friction.
What is Rhodium Plated Jewellery?
Rhodium plating is a technique of deposing a thin layer of rhodium into the product's base material. The rhodium plating makes the jewellery less subjective to oxidation and wear and tear. As rhodium is a costly material, the thickness is less than 0.5 microns.
Rhodium plated jewellery is usually made of a metal that can tarnish quickly, such as Sterling Silver or Brass. Please be aware that rhodium plated jewellery will fade and eventually cause tarnishing of the surface. Although this process can take months or even years, your skin will get into contact with the base material at some point.
As the rhodium plating is extremely thin, such jewellery is unsuitable for moist places, such as the mouth. We recommend not to wear such jewellery while showering, exercising, swimming or going to the beach. Also, prevent exposure to perfume, hair spray, makeup and chemical cleaners. Be careful not to brush the plating off due to friction.
What is Anodized Titanium Jewellery?
Changing silver titanium into various colours can be done by anodizing the metal. Anodization occurs through electrolysis or thermal treatment, causing the surface of titanium to react and change color.
Although titanium is exceptionally durable and won't rust, anodized titanium can discolour with wear over time. Anodization is only an oxidation layer, making the appearance of a different colour.
Anodized titanium jewellery won't change colour while swimming in a pool. However, anodized titanium can react to your body's natural acidity and chemicals, like lotions, acid, perfume, etc., causing the oxidized layer to disappear.
How to see what plating is used?
When you want to see if the jewellery is plated, you can check this on the product page. When a specific product comes in various colours, it may be possible that there are different platings used. Silver coloured piercings and earrings are often not plated or have a different plating compared to coloured variations of the same product.
Make sure to select the colour you desire first before looking at the plating information provided on the product page.
Plated jewellery is usually made of a base material that differs from the plating material. The primary material is always mentioned on the product page as well. Click on the button below to read the various material guides we made available.
