More Info: Metals & Materials
Gold Filled
Our Gold Filled jewellery starts with the high quality precious metal of 925 Sterling Silver, which is then covered by an extremely thick sheet of gold that has a minimum purity of 10k. It’s important to note that it is a solid sheet of gold that’s applied—not a bath of liquified gold that the base metal is dipped into like other brands or gold plating methods.
The gold layer is then fused to the base metal through a mechanical application process involving heat and pressure. It’s a permanent bond, so the gold won’t flake, peel, or rub off.
Gold Vermeil
Gold vermeil (pronounced ver-may) mimics the appearance of real gold for a fraction of the cost. As opposed to being pure gold, vermeil is actually .925 sterling silver with a layer of gold on top. Its gold coat gives it the look of solid gold. Gold vermeil is fairly durable, however you should still take proper care for your gold vermeil jewellery to ensure that it lasts a long time.
This type of gold jewellery is not meant for daily wear as the gold will eventually rub off over time. The amount of time depends on how well you care for your vermeil pieces.
Gold PVD
Physical Vapor Deposition, or PVD, is a vacuum coating process that produces a brilliant decorative and functional finish. PVD utilises a titanium nitride that provides an extremely durable coating. PVD coatings are more resistant to corrosion from sweat and regular wear than other types of gold processes. We mainly use 18k gold PVD coating over 316L steel, which is surgical-grade stainless steel and is naturally anti-corrosive and anti-tarnish.
PVD coating is a common process used by famous luxury brands for their gold watches, gold accessories and the gold hardware on their luxury bags. It is extremely vibrant and durable for many years. It's a great choice for people who never take their jewellery off, and don't mind a "lower" amount of gold in their pieces, also making it more cost effective. It is also a great choice for people who lead an active lifestyle (gym-goers and athletes), or live in coastal areas with high humidity. The PVD coating and surgical steel keeps your jewellery fade-free and tarnish-resistant for effortless care and long-lasting shine.
316L Surgical Steel
316L is a low carbon steel, with extra corrosion resistance, and is frequently used for stainless steel watches, marine applications, surgical implants and body jewellery. The nickel content can range from 8-14%, and is usually suitable for sensitive skin, however, not recommended for those with a severe, nickel-specific allergy.
925 Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is an alloy, or combination of metal types. Unlike pure silver, which contains 99.9% elemental silver (Ag), sterling silver (925) contains one or more additional metals that add strength to the otherwise delicate material. Pure silver is naturally very soft, and would easily bend or break if used for jewellery without being blended with a stronger metal.
Functional silver jewellery is often made with 92.5% silver. The remaining 7.5% of metal in 925 sterling silver is most commonly copper, however, some silversmiths opt to add durability with alloys of zinc or nickel instead. Sterling silver fortified with copper is preferred by many jewellery collectors, especially those with sensitive skin.
Want to learn more about the specific differences in our methods and materials? Read the full article here