Quality

On this page, you’ll find detailed information about the various quality aspects of Aurio's jewellery and gold-plated stainless steel jewellery in general. I’ve created this page to be transparent with you and to provide a clearer understanding of what goes into the jewellery I offer. My goal is to share honest insights about jewellery quality so you can learn more about the products you’re interested in. Dive in to discover more about the quality behind Aurio jewellery and ensure that you are fully confident in your purchase.

Material

Aurio pieces are crafted from 316 stainless steel, known for its strength and durability. This high-quality material is highly resistant to tarnish, rust, and corrosion, making it ideal for everyday wear. Unlike some metals that can cause skin discoloration, stainless steel doesn’t turn your fingers green because it doesn't contain metals that react with your skin's natural oils or sweat. Stainless steel’s natural color is a silvery-gray, with finishes that can range from bright and polished to more subdued, matte tones. To achieve a gold color, the jewellery is gold plated.

PVD Plating

All Aurio jewellery is plated using PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition). PVD plating is a relatively new technique for applying a gold or silver layer to jewellery. It offers several advantages over traditional plating methods, which typically involve electroplating in a chemical bath. PVD plating is hard and wear-resistant and is often said to retain its color up to ten times longer than conventional plating techniques, though this has yet to be fully proven as the technique is still emerging in the industry. Additionally, the PVD plating process is cleaner and more environmentally friendly, avoiding harsh chemicals and producing minimal hazardous waste.

14K vs. 18K

Gold plating is measured in karats (K), indicating the purity of gold in the alloy. Pure gold is 24K, but it’s too soft for everyday wear, which is why it’s mixed with other metals to increase its durability. Most jewellery on the market is made from either 14K or 18K gold.

14K Gold Plating: Contains 58.3% pure gold, mixed with other metals like copper and silver. 14K gold is more durable, making it less prone to scratches and wear.
18K Gold Plating: Contains 75% pure gold, giving it a vibrant yellow hue. However, 18K gold is softer due to the higher gold content, making it more susceptible to scratches and wear.

I’ve chosen 14K gold plating for Aurio pieces because it offers a lighter, more subtle color compared to 18K gold. In my experience, 18K gold can sometimes appear too orange, which is why I prefer the softer tone of 14K. Additionally, 14K gold plating is more durable and resistant to wear, making it better suited for everyday jewellery.

Waterproof

Aurio jewellery is designed to be waterproof, so you can wear it in the shower, pool, or during other water activities without worrying about losing its quality. The pieces have also been tested in saltwater; they were placed in heavily salted water for 45 days and came out looking exactly the same. While the quality of the jewellery is assured to be (sea)waterproof, please note that, as the pieces are not solid gold, some quality loss may occur over an extended period.The 'Color retention' section explains this in detail.

Color retention

The color of Aurio jewellery is long-lasting, but it's important to understand that every piece of gold-colored jewellery will eventually lose its color over time, unless it is solid gold. Some brands might claim that their stainless steel gold-plated jewellery will never lose its color, but such claims aren't truthful.

Aurio jewellery is PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) gold plated. This plating method that is known for its durability, often retaining its color significantly longer than traditional plating methods. Being aware of the different types of gold-colored jewellery will help you understand how they may age.

Types of gold-colored jewellery:

Solid Gold: Made entirely of gold, this is the most durable and long-lasting type of gold jewellery. It maintains its color indefinitely and requires minimal maintenance but is the most expensive option.
Gold-Filled: This type features a thick layer of gold bonded to a base metal. Gold-filled jewellery is more durable than gold-plated options but less costly than solid gold. It can last for many years with proper care, although the gold layer may eventually wear away. It is still an expensive option
Gold-Plated:A base metal, such as stainless steel, is coated with a layer of gold. This is a more affordable method, but gold-plated jewellery is prone to losing its color over time. Aurio uses PVD gold plating, which offers a more durable and longer-lasting finish compared to traditional gold plating.
Flash-Plated: Also known as gold-flashed or gold-washed, this type involves an extremely thin layer of gold applied quickly. It is the least durable, with color fading faster than other types of gold jewellery.

Understanding these differences is essential for setting realistic expectations about how your jewellery will age. PVD gold-plated jewellery, like Aurio pieces, offers a longer lifespan than traditional plating but will eventually fade with prolonged wear. It is difficult to say exactly how long, as PVD gold plating techniques are relatively new in the industry.

The longevity of color retention also depends on the type of jewellery. For example, rings experience more wear due to extensive skin contact and may lose their color faster. In contrast, earrings have less contact with the skin and tend to maintain their color and quality longer.

Some brands might claim that their stainless steel gold-plated jewellery will never lose its color, but such claims aren't truthful. I believe in being transparent with my customers and setting honest expectations. Every piece of gold-colored jewellery will eventually lose its color over time, unless it is solid gold.

Stones

I use natural stones in my jewellery, with each stone being unique in its shape and characteristics. There may be slight color differences in the stones, which adds character to the overall look. Each piece is truly one-of-a-kind, making your jewellery as unique as you are. Currently, I’m working with Larimar stones, but I plan to introduce more types soon. Stay updated on new stone offerings by following Aurio on social media and subscribing to the newsletter.

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