In jewelry manufacturing, coating techniques like Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and electroplating enhance durability, aesthetic, and functionality of the jewelry pieces. However, matching the coating with the base metal is key. Good compatibility ensures strong bonding, corrosion resistance, and long-lasting quality.
In this article, we will compare PVD coating vs. electroplating to help you make an informed decision on the most suitable option for stainless steel, silver, or brass jewelry.
What is PVD Coating & Suitable Base Metal?
You might be wondering, what is PVD coating on jewelry? It is a thin-film coating used to improve the appearance, durability, and functionality of a jewelry piece. PVD coating process involves vaporizing a solid material in a vacuum environment, and depositing it onto the surface of a jewelry to form an ultra-thin but hard metal film layer.
PVD coatings can be applied to a wide variety of metals, which include stainless steel (0.03-0.08 micron gold layer), titanium, and other hard & stable metals. The properties that you desire from the final PVD coated jewelry is what determines your choice of base metal. This could be the wear resistance, corrosion resistance, or appearance.
What is Electroplating & Suitable Base Metal?
Electroplating is a jewelry surface finishing technique that involves depositing a thin layer of metal (such as gold, rhodium, or nickel) onto a base metal using electric current. It is more compatible with softer and reactive metals like silver, brass, copper, and zinc.
The electroplating jewelry process involves immersing a jewelry piece (cathode) into a solution containing dissolved metal ions (anode), and passing electric current to make the metal ions bind to the jewelry’s surface. The result is a smooth, even coating that improves tarnish resistance. E-coating on jewelry makes the electroplating process more durable and last longer. Pieces that are e-coated last for 2-3 more months.
Compare Two Methods: PVD Coating vs. Electroplating
Now, let’s compare PVD coating vs electroplating surface finishing techniques based on their characteristics and compatibility with stainless steel, silver, and brass jewelry metals.
Adhesion & Durability Comparison
PVD coating adheres well to stainless steel due to the strength and corrosion resistance of the metal. This process makes the jewelry piece more durable, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing.
On the other hand, electroplating adheres better to silver or brass because of their high electrical conductivity and ability to form strong bonds with plating materials. When electroplated, brass can get more durable than silver because of its inherent strength and resistance to scratching.
Temperature Tolerance & Metal Safety
Stainless steel is known for its ability to resist high temperature and maintain its structural integrity, therefore it is more PVD-friendly. But the high temperature requirement of the PVD coating process puts silver and brass at risk of warping, so electroplating’s room temperature process is safer for them.
Aesthetic Flexibility & Finishes
PVD coating offers various metallic colors (such as 10K-20K gold plating, rose gold plating, black plating, and rainbow plating) but limited gloss options. While electroplating allows high-polish finishes and custom thickness for luxury looks.
Cost & Scalability
Electroplating is more cost-effective when producing fashion jewelry pieces in bulk due to its simpler process. PVD coating on jewelry may involve higher setup costs due to the complex equipment & processes involved, but require lower rework rates on stainless steel.
Gold Plating Solution for Stainless Steel Jewelry: PVD Coating
PVD coating is the gold plating solution for jewelry pieces that are made with stainless steel. Here are reasons why stainless steel is better:
Superior Scratch Resistance
PVD coatings are significantly harder than traditional electroplating, therefore they can increase the surface hardness of stainless steel jewelry and make it more resistant to daily scratches, abrasion, and general wear & tear.
Long-Lasting Color Retention
How long does PVD coating last? PVD coated jewelry retain their color and metallic luster for a long period of time even when used frequently. For example, PVD gold plating on stainless steel jewelry lasts for at least two years.
Wide Range of Finishes
As a jewelry manufacturer, if you have detailed knowledge of how does PVD coating work, you will be able to apply a variety of trendy finishes (such as rose gold, black gold, and champagne gold) to your stainless steel jewelry. This enhances your design flexibility.
Strong Hypoallergenic Properties
The stable surface of a PVD coat reduces exposure of the stainless steel jewelry to reactive elements like nickel, making it a safer choice for people with metal allergies. Whereas a nickel strike is often used as a pre-treatment when electroplating stainless steel jewelry.
Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Processes
PVD coating process involves placing the stainless steel jewelry into a vacuum chamber, making it a cleaner, and more environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional plating techniques.
Gold Plating Solution for Silver or Brass Jewelry: Electroplating
When working with reactive metals like silver & brass, electroplating delivers superior performance. The reasons include:
Superior Adhesion on Reactive Metals
Electroplating chemically binds metal ions to the surface of silver or brass jewelry, unlike PVD coating that involves physical deposition. This electrochemical process ensures stronger adhesion to these metals and reduces risk of peeling due to friction, sweat, or chemical exposure.
Lower Temperature; No Thermal Damage
The electroplating process occurs at room temperature or in mild heat. This is critical for soft metals like silver and brass as it helps them avoid any risk of warping or discoloration posed by PVD coating’s high temperature requirement.
Customizable Thickness for Brands
With electroplating you can customize the thickness of your brass or sterling silver jewelry. You can use it to achieve micron-thin layers for fashion jewelry and thicker layers (about 10 micron gold layer) for luxury-grade durability.
E-coating for Waterproof, Hypoallergenic & Durability
Adding clear e-coating over electroplate provides extra protection against moisture & skin irritation. It prevents plated jewelry such as electroplated gold jewelry from fading or losing color because of exposure to air or chemicals.
Is PVD Coating Suitable for Silver or Brass Jewelry?
Although PVD coating offers durability and aesthetic appeal, it is often not the most reliable or cost-effective technique for coating silver or brass jewelry due to some limitations.
Poor Adhesion; Prone to Peeling
The first limitation is a question of how long does PVD coating last on silver & brass. The surface structure of these metals is less stable than stainless steel or titanium, making it difficult for PVD coatings to form strong bonds with them. Over time, the coating is likely to peel or wear off due to sweat, friction, or chemical exposure.
Highly Reactive Materials Prone to Oxidation
Silver and brass (which contains copper) are chemically reactive and they easily oxidize in air (for example, silver tarnishes to black and brass develops patina). Although PVD requires thorough cleaning and pre-treatment (such as polishing or electro-cleaning), any residual oxides or contaminants in the metal can still compromise coating adhesion, leading to discoloration or coating failure.
Low Melting Point; Risk of Deformation
PVD coating processes involve the use of high temperatures (typically between 150oC -500oC). Since brass and silver have relatively low melting points (when compared to other rare metals), heating them can cause warping, bubbling, discoloration, or even dimensional inaccuracies in the jewelry.
Is Electroplating Suitable for Stainless Steel Jewelry?
As a custom jewelry manufacturer, it is not advised that you use electroplating for stainless steel jewelry.
One of the reasons is that electroplating on stainless steel is less durable than PVD. The plating may wear off over time with frequent use (due to friction, moisture, and chemicals), especially if the layer is thin or poorly bonded. Stainless steel’s hard surface and its natural oxide film makes it difficult for the plating to adhere firmly unlike gold plating on brass.
Conclusion
From this article, you should be able to deduce the differences between PVD coating vs electroplating and ascertain the best finishing technique for your stainless steel, silver, or brass jewelry.
PVD coating is best for stainless steel jewelry when long-lasting, hypoallergenic, and trendy finishes are needed, while electroplating remains the top choice for silver & brass jewelry because of its stronger adhesion, temperature safety, and affordability.
