Not All Gold Plated Jewellery Is the Same and Here's Why

"Oh, it's just gold plated."

It's a phrase we hear from time to time and we get it.

Gold plated jewellery has developed a bit of a reputation for fading, losing its colour or needing to be taken off every time you shower, swim or exercise.

But here's something you might not know:

Not all gold plated jewellery is created the same way.

The method used to apply that beautiful gold finish can make a big difference to how your jewellery handles everyday wear.

So, what's actually the difference?

Traditional Gold Electroplating

When most people hear "gold plated", this is usually what they're thinking of.

Traditional electroplating uses an electrical current to deposit a thin layer of gold onto the surface of a piece of jewellery.

It's widely used because it creates the beautiful appearance of gold at a much more affordable price than solid gold.

However, the thickness and quality of electroplating can vary. Over time, friction, moisture, sweat and everyday wear can gradually wear away the gold layer.

That's why you'll often see care instructions for traditionally gold plated jewellery telling you to remove it before showering, swimming or exercising.

But traditional electroplating isn't the only way to create gold-plated jewellery.

Meet PVD Plating

PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition, and the plating method we choose at Nova James.

Instead of using traditional electroplating, PVD applies the coating in a controlled vacuum environment.

This process creates a particularly strong bond between the coating and the jewellery, producing a finish that's highly resistant to everyday wear, scratching and fading.

For us, that's a pretty important difference.

We don't want jewellery that needs to come off every time life gets a little messy.

We want jewellery made for work, weekends, workouts, showers, swimming, holidays and everything in between.

That's one of the biggest reasons we choose PVD.

PVD vs Traditional Gold Plating

So, are they both technically "gold plated"?

Yes.

But that doesn't mean they are equal.

Think of gold plated as an umbrella term. It tells you that a gold coloured layer has been applied over another material, but it doesn't necessarily tell you how it was applied.

That's where the plating method becomes important.

Traditional electroplating and PVD use different processes, and PVD is known for creating an exceptionally durable, strongly bonded coating.

So when you see PVD gold plated, those three little letters are worth noticing.

What About Vacuum Plating?

You may also come across jewellery described as vacuum plated.

This is where things can get confusing.

PVD is carried out in a vacuum environment, but vacuum plating is a broader term that refers to different coating techniques.

So:

PVD is a type of vacuum coating, but not everything described as vacuum plated is necessarily PVD.

If you're comparing jewellery and durability is important to you, look for a manufacturer that specifically states their plating method is PVD.

And What Is Gold Filled?

Despite the name, gold filled jewellery isn't actually filled with gold.

Instead, a comparatively thick layer of gold is mechanically bonded to another material using heat and pressure.

Gold filled jewellery can be extremely durable because it contains considerably more gold than conventional electroplated jewellery.

It generally comes with a higher price tag too.

It's another great option for someone wanting the look of gold without purchasing solid gold and it's simply made using a very different process from PVD.

Does 18k Gold Plated Mean Better Quality?

Here's the part we really want jewellery shoppers to know.

18k doesn't tell you the whole story.

When a piece is described as 18k gold plated, the 18k refers to the purity of the gold used to create the finish.

What it doesn't tell you is how that finish was applied or how durable it will be.

Two pieces of jewellery could both say 18k gold plated on the label while being manufactured using completely different plating methods.

So rather than only asking:

"What karat gold is it?"

There's another question worth asking:

"How is it plated?"

Because when it comes to gold-plated jewellery, those three little letters - PVD - can make a very big difference.

Why Nova James Chooses PVD

Our jewellery is designed for everyday life.

We don't believe you should have to remember to remove your favourite pieces every time you exercise, jump in the shower or head away for the weekend.

That's why PVD plating is important to us.

It allows us to offer the beautiful gold look we love, with the durability we expect from everyday jewellery, while keeping our pieces affordable and accessible.

So the next time you see the words "gold plated", don't immediately dismiss them.

Take a closer look.

Because the question isn't simply whether your jewellery is gold plated.

It's how it's gold plated that matters. 💛