Gold Plated Jewelry Manufacturing

HonHo makes plated jewelry in stainless steel, brass and 925 sterling silver. We use PVD for stainless steel and electroplating for brass and silver, with the color and layer specification agreed for your collection.

Our Dongguan team coordinates polishing, plating and quality checks. Tell us the base metal, finish, quantity and destination market so we can review a suitable specification.

Start with a drawing or reference sample. We can work through design details, sampling, logo placement and packaging before the production order.

Electroplating for brass and silver

For cast shapes, textured surfaces and stone-set designs

Gold electroplating can be specified from 0.03 to 5 μm. The base metal, barrier system and any clear protective coating should be listed separately. We review the appearance on a sample and agree tests suited to the collection.

PVD for stainless steel

For a specified color and surface finish

Our stated gold-color PVD specification uses a 0.5 μm TiN layer and a separate gold top layer of 0.03–0.10 μm. Coating performance also depends on preparation, the design and how the piece is used.

Plan the finish with the rest of the piece

A finish should suit the shape, intended use and price point. We discuss those factors alongside the coating layers, rather than choosing by color alone.

Questions to resolve before plating

Wear and color change

Surface preparation, coating thickness and friction affect wear. Review the intended use and agree an appropriate test plan.

Skin contact and corrosion

Specify the materials and relevant finished-product tests. A coating or material name cannot guarantee that every wearer will avoid a reaction.

Thickness verification

Agree the layer specification and supporting measurements before production.

The layers in a stainless steel PVD finish

The TiN layer and gold top layer have different roles and thicknesses. List them separately in the specification. Discuss testing and care instructions before making water-resistance or wear-life claims.

The Problem

Standard PVD factories often cut costs on the invisible base layer, applying a thin 0.1µm to 0.3µm Titanium Nitride (TiN) layer. When the top gold layer (usually only 0.03µm) wears off within months, the silver steel color is revealed instantly. This is why customers complain about jewelry looking "washed out."

Our Solution (0.5µm TiN Base)

We have re-engineered the process. We apply a massive 0.5 micron layer of Titanium Nitride (TiN). This super-hard ceramic material is naturally gold-colored. Even if the top gold wears down over years, the exposed layer underneath is still gold. The visual integrity of the jewelry remains intact.

The Gold Layer

On top of the TiN, we sputter real gold (Au) to achieve the exact hue you need—whether it's the pale elegance of 14K Hamilton Gold or the rich warmth of 24K. We offer customizable thickness from 0.03µm up to 0.1µm (Maximum).

The Result

A bond strength that is 10x harder than steel itself. Our PVD products are verified to withstand swimming pools, ocean water, and gym sweat without tarnishing for 2-3 years.

The coating system on brass and silver

A coating system may include a barrier, gold and a clear protective layer. Identify each one in the quotation. A suitable barrier can limit metal migration, but no layer by itself establishes allergy suitability or compliance.

The Barrier Layer

We never plate gold directly onto brass. We first apply a thick 0.1 micron Palladium or nickel-free White Bronze barrier layer. This acts as a "Great Wall," physically blocking copper ions from migrating to the surface. No copper migration means no green skin and no dark spots.

Verified Gold Thickness

We offer three precise tiers of thickness, monitored by XRF technology: Fashion Grade: 0.05µm - 0.1µm (Flash Gold) for trend items. Premium Grade: 0.5µm - 1.0µm for daily wear fashion brands like Tory Burch. Luxury Grade (Vermeil): 2.5µm - 5.0µm on Sterling Silver, meeting US/EU legal standards.

Heavy Silver Plating

For silver jewelry, thin plating looks "flat." We build layers up to 5-8 microns thick. This extra depth allows for a deeper, warmer "moonlight" reflection that mimics solid silver, far superior to standard market plating.

The E-Coating Seal

Finally, we submerge the rack in an electrolytic lacquer bath (E-Coating). This deposits a transparent, nano-ceramic skin over the metal. It seals microscopic pores and protects the plating from perfume, lotion, and air, extending shelf life by 200%.

Support through development and production

We coordinate design review, samples, finishing, inspection and packing around the agreed order.

Design and development

Send your design or reference with dimensions and finish notes. We review construction and prepare the agreed CAD and sample work before production.

Color, texture and thickness

Choose the gold tone and surface texture on a physical sample. Specify the gold layer and other coating layers separately. A vermeil description also requires the appropriate sterling silver base and gold specification.

Testing and documents

Tell us where the collection will be sold and the claims you intend to make. Agree the relevant product tests and documents before production; a factory certificate and a finished-product test serve different purposes.

Sampling

Allow around 25–30 days for brass or silver samples and 25–35 days for stainless steel. The final schedule depends on the design and is confirmed with the quotation.

Preparation and process control

Plating begins with the surface underneath. Polishing, cleaning and a suitable coating system all affect adhesion and the final appearance.

A clear protective coating can be discussed for suitable electroplated designs. Review how it changes the surface and agree the checks needed for the project.

PVD is carried out in a vacuum chamber. Surface preparation and the selected layer system are part of the specification, alongside the final color.

Coating measurements should use a method suitable for the layers being measured. Agree the locations, sampling plan and reports before the order.

Electroplating conditions and handling affect coverage and shade. Keep an approved plated sample as the reference for production and reorders.

Choose the base metal first

Shape, weight, settings and price all influence the metal choice. We review them together before recommending the coating route.

304 and 316L stainless steel

Review the grade, construction and PVD finish for the design. Neither grade alone establishes waterproof or allergy claims.

Brass

Useful for many cast shapes and textures. Confirm the alloy, coating layers and destination-market tests.

925 sterling silver

Choose the silver weight and finish. If using a vermeil description, confirm the gold specification and applicable labeling requirements.

Checks for the finished surface

Agree the appearance and performance checks around the product. A ring, chain and pendant can have different contact and wear points.

Surface preparation

Inspect polishing and edges before plating. Surface defects can remain visible through a coating.

Wear testing

Select a defined test method and acceptance criteria suited to the piece, rather than relying on an informal demonstration.

Corrosion testing

Specify the environment, duration and assessment method. Results describe that test condition and should be reported accurately.

Define the test and the acceptance criteria

Cleaning and preparation

Remove process residues using a method suitable for the metal and components.

Adhesion checks

Agree a test method appropriate to the coating, shape and acceptance criteria.

Coating measurements

Identify which layer is being measured and the method suitable for that layer system.

Salt spray testing

A 24–48-hour test evaluates corrosion under specified laboratory conditions. It is not equivalent to a fixed number of years of use.

Finish references

Sourcing and process requirements

Include any sourcing, chemical or environmental documentation requirements in the brief. We can discuss what applies to the materials and processes used for your order.

Questions about plated jewelry

How durable is a PVD finish?

Durability depends on preparation, coating, design and use. No finish is indestructible. Agree tests and care instructions for the finished piece rather than promising a fixed lifespan.

What affects the plating price?

Base metal, surface area, preparation, gold karat and thickness, intermediate layers and testing all affect cost. Compare quotations on the same specification.

Can PVD and electroplated pieces match?

The processes can produce different shades. Send a master color reference and review samples from both processes together before approving a mixed-material collection.

Can I request a particular gold tone?

Yes. Send a physical reference or color specification. We review whether the shade can be produced with the selected metal and coating system.

Can I request coating measurements?

Yes. Agree the required layers, method, measurement locations and report format with the quotation.

How does vermeil differ from gold plating?

Vermeil uses a sterling silver base with a gold layer meeting the relevant requirements. For the US, the FTC guide specifies at least 10-karat gold and thickness equivalent to 2.5 microns of fine gold. Other plated constructions need their own accurate descriptions.

Discuss the finish for your collection

Send the design, base metal, color reference and quantity. Include your destination market and any testing requirements so we can prepare a useful quotation.

Let's Create Your Next Collection