One of the biggest reasons jewelry lovers switch to 18K PVD gold coated 316L stainless steel is freedom: you can wear it in the shower, at the gym, and through daily life without fear of your skin turning green or the piece fading within weeks.
Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) creates an atomic-level bond between the genuine 18-karat gold layer and surgical-grade stainless steel base. While it is up to 10x more resistant to daily abrasion and corrosion than traditional electroplating, intentional maintenance will preserve its mirror-like golden radiance for years to come. Here is our master guide on how to care for, clean, and store your PVD gold pieces.
1. The Quick Daily Maintenance Routine (30 Seconds)
At the end of a long day, our skin leaves traces of body oils, sunscreen, perfumes, and perspiration on jewelry. While PVD coating is 100% waterproof and sweat-resistant, dried organic residue can create a faint film over the surface, dulling its luster.
- Wipe Down: Take a soft dry microfiber cloth (or clean cotton cloth) and gently wipe each piece before putting it away.
- Quick Rinse: If you wore the piece while swimming in salt water or applied heavy body lotion, rinse it under lukewarm tap water for 10 seconds, then pat dry thoroughly.
Because the base is 316L surgical stainless steel and the finish is a PVD 18K real gold vacuum coating, this quick routine is about keeping the surface bright, not about protecting it from water. Every Aurelia Atelier piece is designed to be worn in the shower, the ocean and the gym, so you never need to take it off before washing your hands or rinsing it under the tap.
2. Deep Cleaning Routine: Step-by-Step
Once or twice a month, give your daily favorites—like your Croissant Dome Statement Ring or your Herringbone Flat Snake Chain Bracelet—a gentle spa treatment.
What You Need:
- A small bowl of lukewarm water
- A few drops of mild, phosphate-free dish soap or gentle baby shampoo
- An ultra-soft bristled toothbrush (extra soft/baby grade)
- A clean microfiber drying towel
Step-by-Step Process:
- Soak (5–10 Minutes): Submerge your jewelry in the warm soapy water. This loosens skin oils, dust, and lotion trapped in link crevices.
- Gently Brush Links & Details: Using the soft toothbrush, lightly sweep over intricate details—such as coin relief carvings on The Vintage Sunburst Medallion Necklace or between chain links. Avoid aggressive scrubbing; gentle circular motions are all you need.
- Rinse Clean: Hold under clean running lukewarm water to rinse away all soap residue.
- Pat Dry: Pat dry thoroughly with a microfiber cloth. Ensure all moisture in clasps and hollow links is absorbed before storing.
3. What NOT to Do: The 3 Rules of PVD Longevity
Although 316L PVD jewelry is exceptionally durable, avoiding these common pitfalls will maximize its lifespan:
- Do NOT use abrasive polishing cloths designed for sterling silver: Commercial silver wipes often contain chemical abrasives intended to strip oxidized layers. These micro-abrasives can gradually wear down your 18K gold layer.
- Do NOT use ultrasonic cleaners with harsh chemical solvents: High-frequency vibrations combined with acidic solvents can stress stone settings and degrade decorative enamels.
- Do NOT expose to concentrated chlorine bleach: While occasional pool swimming is fine, always rinse jewelry with fresh water immediately after chlorine exposure, as industrial chlorine can weaken metal tension springs in clasps.
4. How to Properly Store Your PVD Gold Jewelry
To prevent scratches and chain tangling when not in rotation:
- Store pieces separately in individual soft velvet pouches or segmented jewelry boxes.
- Fasten all clasps on necklaces and bracelets before storage to prevent knots.
- Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct high humidity.
5. Care by Piece: Rings, Chains and Huggies
Different silhouettes collect residue in different places, so it helps to know where to focus your cloth and brush.
- Statement and dome rings: Lotion and hand soap gather underneath the band and inside the dome. After washing your hands, run the ring under the tap, then wipe the inside of the band with a dry cloth so nothing dries into a film against your skin.
- Flat snake and paperclip chains: Flat links are easy to wipe, but the clasp and the adjustable extender links hold the most sweat and body oil. Open the clasp, wipe it, and fasten it again before you put the chain away so it does not tangle.
- Click-latch huggie earrings: Huggies are worn around the clock, so hair products and face cream build up on the inside of the hoop. Once a week, open the click latch, wipe the hoop and post with a soft cloth, and let them air dry fully before closing them again.
- Medallions and pendants: Relief carvings trap dust. Use the soft toothbrush from the deep-cleaning routine above, then dry the pendant front and back.
6. Gym, Travel and Holiday Care
Sweat, sunscreen and chlorine do not harm the PVD gold layer or the nickel-free, lead-free 316L steel underneath, which is why you can keep your jewelry on through a workout or a beach day. The habit that keeps pieces looking new is simply rinsing them in fresh water afterwards and drying them before they go back in a bag or pouch.
- At the gym: Wipe pieces with a dry cloth after training so salt from sweat does not dry onto the surface.
- On holiday: Rinse after every swim, and pack each piece in its own pouch so chains and earring posts do not scratch one another in transit.
- Sunscreen and oils: Apply sunscreen first, let it absorb, then put your jewelry on, and give the pieces a soapy-water wash at the end of the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I wear 18K PVD gold jewelry in the ocean?
Yes! Marine-grade 316L stainless steel and PVD gold will not corrode in sea salt. However, salt crystals will dry onto the surface and dull its shine, so always rinse with fresh tap water and dry with a microfiber cloth afterwards.
Will perfume or hairspray ruin my PVD gold?
Alcohol and fragrance compounds do not dissolve PVD bonds, but repeated direct spraying creates a cloudy chemical film. We recommend spraying perfumes and hair products first, letting them dry for 2 minutes, and then putting on your jewelry.
How long will 18K PVD gold jewelry last?
With basic mindful care as described above, Aurelia Atelier 18K PVD gold jewelry maintains its lustrous golden color for 3+ years of daily wear without peeling or flaking.
Is 18K PVD gold jewelry safe for sensitive skin?
Yes. The base metal is hypoallergenic 316L surgical stainless steel, and Aurelia Atelier pieces are nickel-free and lead-free, so they are suitable for sensitive skin and sensitive ears. If your skin is ever irritated, it is usually dried lotion or perfume on the surface rather than the metal itself, and the deep-cleaning routine above will resolve it.
What does the 1-Year Color Warranty cover?
Every piece is backed by a 1-Year Color Warranty against fading and skin discoloration. Following the daily and monthly routines in this guide keeps your jewelry well within that promise and looking the way it did on day one.