Regarding the Application of PVD in Brass Jewelry:

If you are concerned about the durability of gold-colored finishes, you may already be familiar with Gold Vermeil.  

In Gold Vermeil, the cost of maintaining the color on 925 silver jewelry can be quite high. For example, chemically plating a 20mm pendant with 1 micron of genuine gold can cost around $8 just for the plating process—sometimes even exceeding the value of the silver product itself. This is what makes Gold Vermeil valuable: it’s widely used for long-lasting color retention.

Currently, PVD electroplating is commonly used for stainless steel jewelry, but rarely applied to brass jewelry. This has led to a common misconception that PVD plating is only suitable for stainless steel.  

In reality, PVD can be used on 925 silver and brass jewelry.

With this plating,you don’t have the concern that the jewelry oxidized and turn black color.

—but with certain limitations.

First, the PVD process can stain gemstones, so it is only suitable for plain metal pieces or jewelry where stones are set by hand after plating. Wax setting, for instance, is not compatible with PVD. This significantly limits the design possibilities for PVD-plated brass jewelry.

Second, gold plating on brass requires a base metal layer. Currently, nickel and palladium are the main options. Nickel is less eco-friendly but much cheaper than palladium. Therefore, it’s essential to confirm that a palladium base is used—not nickel—especially since consumers increasingly prefer brands that are both healthy and environmentally responsible.

Third, this plating method requires manufacturers to either already produce stainless steel jewelry or collaborate with a specialized PVD plating supplier. Only by addressing these three challenges can PVD be successfully applied to brass jewelry, offering a more cost-effective solution while delivering a gold-like appearance comparable to plated silver jewelry.

The core value of PVD lies in its cost efficiency without compromising on quality.