What is ‘tarnish-free’ jewellery? What is PVD?

Summer means sun, sand, salt, sweat and sunscreen – all features of an exciting beach holiday, but a nightmare for your jewellery box. And yes, we know the rules for gold and silver-plated jewellery – ‘remove before showering’, ‘keep away from soap and perfume’ – but sticking to them can be a little... unrealistic. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some jewellery brands offering tarnish-free accessories that are equal parts stylish, durable and affordable.

What is ‘tarnish-free’ jewellery?
The answer depends on who you ask. In its truest sense, tarnish-free means that the item won’t fade or discolour over time. Solid gold jewellery ticks the box, while cheaper copper rings can cause your fingers to turn that dreaded green hue. Where it can get a little confusing is when brands use gold and silver plating (at a premium cost) over materials such as brass and sterling silver. Over time, even precious plating can start to wear away and cause the colour to fade (requiring effort to then clean your jewellery), making these pieces more tarnish-resistant than tarnish-proof.

What is PVD?
This stands for ‘physical vapour deposition’ (which is a bit of a mouthful), and refers to a process in which stainless steel is covered with a thin layer of metal. This type of coating can be up to 10 times stronger than regular gold or silver plating, and is highly resistant to tarnishing and scratching. The best part? It’s cheaper and lasts longer than plating.
So, now we truly understand what qualifies as tarnish-free jewellery, what are you waiting for? Right this way for the best jewellery brands offering waterproof pieces that will stay sparkly for years to come. That's what we call perfect additions to your jewellery box.