'18K gold' can mean very different things depending on how it's made. If you've ever had a gold chain fade to silver, this is why — and how to avoid it.
Solid gold
The real thing, all the way through. Beautiful and valuable, but expensive and — surprisingly — soft, so it scratches easily. Overkill for everyday street style at accessible prices.
Gold plated
A very thin layer of gold over a base metal, applied electrically. It looks great at first but the layer is thin and rubs off over months, often exposing a base metal that can tarnish or turn skin green.
Gold vermeil
A thicker gold layer over sterling silver. Better than standard plating, but still wears over time and silver underneath can tarnish.
Gold PVD (what STAVR uses)
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) bonds an 18K gold colour to a 316L stainless steel core at a molecular level. The result: a finish that's far harder, more scratch-resistant and more durable than plating — it keeps its colour for years, is fully waterproof, and won't turn your skin green. You get the look of fine gold with real, everyday durability at an accessible price.
So which should you buy?
For jewellery you'll actually wear every day — in the shower, at the gym, everywhere — 18K gold PVD over 316L steel is the sweet spot of look, longevity and value.
FAQ
Is gold PVD better than gold plated? Yes — it's bonded to the metal and far more durable than traditional plating.
Will gold PVD fade? It's built to last for years and is backed by our lifetime guarantee.
Is it real gold? It's a genuine 18K gold finish over surgical steel — not solid gold, but far more durable and affordable.