Does PVD Jewellery Fade? What the Coating Label Can Tell You
You have seen “PVD” next to promises that a necklace will never fade. The process can be useful, but those three letters are not enough to make that promise.
What does PVD mean?
PVD stands for physical vapour deposition. In simple terms, material is deposited as a thin coating in a controlled process. Specialist Oerlikon Balzers uses PVD for decorative applications, including jewellery, with different coating options.
That range matters. “PVD” alone does not tell you that a coating contains gold, how thick it is, or that two sellers use the same system.
Why can the colour still change?
A finished piece faces rubbing, knocks and contact with products. The coating's composition, adhesion and thickness matter, as do the base and how the item is used. A ring's underside does different work from the front of a pendant.
Do not turn “more wear-resistant” into “impossible to wear out.” Also, a cloudy film can be residue rather than the coating disappearing. Look at the pattern before choosing a cleaning method.
Is PVD the right choice for a daily-wear gift?
It may be worth considering if the piece suits her and the seller explains its care. But do not choose a chain that is too short or a ring that catches on her clothes because the coating label sounds stronger.
Ask: “What is the gold-coloured PVD layer made from? Is gold used? What base metal is used, and what care and warranty apply to this specific piece?”
What if it has started to fade?
Photograph the worn area. Check whether it wipes clean with the maker's approved method. If the colour is missing, avoid rubbing harder. Ask about service options; not every coated fashion piece is practical to refinish.
Do not buy a home plating kit to repair a small patch. Our replating guide explains what a professional needs to inspect first.
The useful promise to look for is clear support for a clearly described product. That is more meaningful than an unexplained claim that a coating lasts forever.