Vacuum plating
PVD
The colour layer is deposited in a vacuum chamber rather than in a plating bath. The result is a metal tone that follows the surface of the piece instead of sitting on top of it as a coating would.
IVIAPRO · Materials
Jewelry Materials & Care
What an IVIAPRO piece is made of, how the colour is applied to it, and what keeps it looking the way it did on the first day. Written for both sides of the order: the buyer checking a specification, and the person wearing the piece.
- 316LStainless steel, our standard
- 0.03–0.08 µmVacuum plating thickness
- Water & sweatResistant in steel, not in brass
- No showerNot recommended while bathing
- Wipe & dryAfter every wear
- Natural variationStone and pearl colour
01What it is made of
Most of the range is 316L stainless steel. On a custom order the material follows your specification rather than ours, so confirm it on the quotation instead of assuming it from the photo — brass, alloy, 925 sterling silver, natural stone and freshwater pearl all appear in the range, and they do not behave the same way in water or in air.
| Material | Water & sweat | Plating | What it needs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 316L stainless steel | Resistant | Vacuum plated, 0.03–0.08 µm | Wipe dry after wear; store sealed |
| Brass | Not resistant | Vacuum plated | Keep dry, dry it the moment it gets wet, store sealed |
| Alloy | Not resistant | Vacuum plated | As brass: keep dry and store sealed |
| 925 sterling silver | Not resistant; tarnishes | As stated on the order | A silver cleaning cloth, then a sealed bag |
| Natural stone & freshwater pearl | — | — | Keep away from chemicals and perfume; colour varies piece to piece |
Put the material in writing. If the material is part of a claim you make on your own product page, state it on the order. Production follows the written specification, not the reference photo.
02Plating & thickness
The colour is not paint. It is applied by vacuum plating, and the layer is thin by design.
Layer thickness
0.03–0.08 µm
That is the typical range on a standard order. A thin layer is what allows fine detail, engraving and textured surfaces to keep their definition.
What removes plating
Two things, and neither is plain wear: friction — rings stored together, a piece rubbing against keys — and chemistry, from perfume, sunscreen, chlorine and cosmetics.
What happens when it wears
A plated area that wears through exposes the base metal, which is a different colour from the plating. That is why a plated piece responds to care more visibly than a plain metal one.
03Water, sweat & bathing
This is where the materials differ most, and where most care questions start.
316L stainless steel
Water resistant and sweat resistant in daily wear. We still do not recommend wearing it in the shower, the bath or the pool: soap, shampoo and chlorine stay on the surface long after the water has run off.
Brass & alloy
Neither water resistant nor sweat resistant. Dry the piece the moment it gets wet, and take it off before washing your hands if that is easy to do.
925 sterling silver
Not water resistant. Water speeds up tarnish, and tarnish is reversible: a silver cleaning cloth brings the shine back.
The one rule that covers all three
Water itself is rarely the problem. What stays on the surface after the water — soap, salt, chlorine, product — is what does the damage.
04Daily care
Three habits cover daily wear, and none of them takes more than a few seconds.
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Keep it dry
Take the piece off before exercise, before anything that makes you sweat, and before bathing or swimming. Wipe it with a soft dry cloth before it goes back in its bag.
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Store it sealed
Keep it in the cloth bag when it is not being worn. A sealed bag slows tarnish and keeps pieces from scratching each other.
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Keep it away from chemicals
Perfume, lotion, shower gel, sunscreen and cosmetics all leave a film that discolours metal and dulls stone. Put the jewellery on last and take it off first.
Sterling silver: polish it with a silver cleaning cloth, then seal it in the bag. On plated pieces, skip abrasive pastes and ultrasonic cleaners — they remove the colour layer along with the tarnish.
05Colour variation in stone and pearl
Natural stone and freshwater pearl are not manufactured to a colour code. Two pieces from the same batch can differ in tone, and no stone will match a screen exactly.
What varies
Tone, veining and lustre differ from piece to piece. Pearls vary in overtone within a single strand.
Not a defect
A slight difference in colour is inherent to the material. It is the reason a natural piece is not identical to the next one.
For buyers
If a listing has to show the exact unit, ask for a photo of that unit before the order ships rather than relying on a stock shot.
For the wearer
Keep stone and pearl away from perfume and cosmetics. A film on the surface dulls both, and it builds up quietly.
06FAQ
Can I wear it in the shower or while swimming?
316L stainless steel is water and sweat resistant, but we do not recommend wearing it in the shower, the bath or the pool — soap, shampoo and chlorine stay on the surface after the water has gone. Brass and alloy are neither water nor sweat resistant, so take those off first.
What plating is used, and how thick is it?
Vacuum plating, typically 0.03–0.08 µm on a standard order. The colour layer is deposited in a vacuum chamber rather than in a plating bath, so it follows the surface instead of sitting on it as a coating would.
Will the stone or pearl match the photo exactly?
No. Natural stone and freshwater pearl vary in tone, veining and lustre from piece to piece, so a slight difference from the photo is inherent to the material rather than a defect. If a listing has to show the exact unit, ask for a photo of that unit.
How should I clean a plated piece?
Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after wear and store it sealed. Keep it away from abrasive pastes and ultrasonic cleaners, which remove the colour layer along with the tarnish. Sterling silver is the exception: a silver cleaning cloth restores its shine.
Can a custom order use a different material?
Yes. On a custom order the material follows your specification — stainless steel is our standard, but brass, alloy, 925 sterling silver, natural stone and freshwater pearl are all available. Confirm the material on the quotation so the care instruction matches the piece.
Ask for the material and finish you need
Tell us the piece, the material and the plating tone. We will confirm what is available and what the care instruction should say for that specification.
Contact IVIAPROMaterial specifications and care sheets for wholesale orders.
