pvd plating jewellery ·Jul 12, 2026

What Is PVD / IP Plating?

PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) and IP (Ion Plating) plating are the same core process: a way of bonding a thin, hard layer of colour onto a base metal inside a vacuum chamber. IP is a specific type of PVD, so when a men's jewellery brand mentions "IP plated" or "PVD coated", they mean the same durable, corrosion-resistant finish. At Manful, this is how our 316L stainless steel pieces get their black, gold, and gunmetal colours without cheap paint or flaking.

The short version: PVD/IP plating turns a vaporised metal into a coating that fuses to the surface of your jewellery at an atomic level. That bond is what makes the colour last through daily wear, sweat, and water far better than traditional electroplating.

How PVD / IP Plating Actually Works

The process happens inside a sealed vacuum chamber. The jewellery is cleaned thoroughly, then a solid coating material, often titanium nitride or a similar compound, is vaporised using high energy.

Those vaporised metal ions travel through the vacuum and settle onto the surface of the item. Because the particles arrive with high energy, they embed into the base metal instead of simply resting on top of it.

The result is a thin film, usually measured in microns, that is extremely hard and tightly bonded. This is why a PVD or IP finish resists scratching and colour loss in a way that painted or lacquered finishes cannot match.

PVD vs IP: Is There a Difference?

Ion Plating is one method within the wider PVD family. IP uses ionised particles to drive the coating onto the surface, which tends to produce a very even, well-adhered layer.

For a buyer, the practical takeaway is simple: both terms describe a vacuum-deposited, hard-wearing colour coating. If you see "IP gold" or "PVD black" on a product, you are looking at the same category of quality finish.

Why Manful Uses PVD / IP on Stainless Steel

Manful's primary material is 316L stainless steel, a marine-grade alloy already known for corrosion resistance. PVD/IP plating adds colour on top of that strong foundation without compromising it.

In its natural state, stainless steel gives you a bright silver tone. When we want black, gold, or gunmetal, PVD/IP is how we apply that colour so it holds up to real life.

You can see this across our Men's Chains. The Cuban Chain 5mm (Gold) and the Cuban Chain 5mm (Black) share the same steel base as the silver version, with the colour delivered through plating rather than dye.

The Silver, Gold, and Black System

Most of our stainless steel designs come in a colour family. The natural silver finish needs no colour coating, while the gold and black options rely on PVD/IP.

The Rope Chain Bracelet (Gold) and the Rope Chain Bracelet (Black) are good examples from our Men's Bracelets range. Each shares a design but wears a different plated colour.

The same logic applies to rings. The Simple Stainless Steel Ring 8mm (Gold) uses gold plating over the same steel found in the silver and black variants.

How Durable Is PVD / IP Plating?

PVD/IP is one of the most durable decorative finishes you can get on jewellery. Because the coating is bonded at an atomic level and is genuinely hard, it resists scratches, tarnishing, and everyday abrasion.

That said, no coating is fully indestructible. High-contact areas, such as the inside and outer band of a ring worn daily, will see more wear than a pendant or a chain that mostly hangs freely.

For colour that never wears because there is nothing to wear off, solid materials are the answer. Our Wedding Bands in tungsten, such as the Brushed Tungsten Band (Black), carry their tone in the material itself, though many still use surface treatments for specific colours.

What Affects How Long the Colour Lasts

Three things matter most: the base metal, the thickness of the coating, and how you treat the piece. A quality 316L steel base gives the coating a stable surface to grip.

Contact with hard surfaces and abrasive grit is the main enemy. Rings take the most punishment because hands are always in use, which is worth remembering when you choose a plated colour for a piece you will wear every single day.

How to Care for PVD / IP Plated Jewellery

Caring for plated pieces is straightforward. The goal is to reduce abrasion and avoid harsh chemicals that can dull any finish over time.

Remove rings before heavy lifting, gym sessions, or manual work where they will scrape against metal and grit.
Take pieces off before swimming in chlorinated pools or using cleaning chemicals.
Wipe jewellery with a soft, dry cloth after wear to remove sweat and oils.
Store items separately so harder pieces do not scratch softer plated surfaces.
Avoid abrasive polishes or scouring pads, which can cut through the coating.

Stick to those basics and a PVD/IP finish will keep its colour and depth for a long time. The same goes for a black pendant like the Cross Pendant Necklace (Black) or a gold chain from our Chains & Pendants collection.

Is PVD / IP Plating Safe to Wear?

Yes. PVD/IP coatings are inert and widely considered skin-friendly, which is one reason the process is used in watchmaking, medical tools, and jewellery alike.

Because the coating sits over 316L stainless steel, which is itself low in nickel release and well tolerated by most people, plated Manful pieces suit everyday wear for the majority of men. If you have a known metal sensitivity, solid options are also worth considering.

For sensitive skin, materials like titanium are a strong choice. The Brushed Titanium Band (Silver) is a lightweight, hypoallergenic option from our band range.

Which Manful Pieces Use PVD / IP Plating?

Any Manful stainless steel product offered in black, gold, or gunmetal uses PVD/IP plating to achieve that colour. The silver and natural steel versions do not need it.

Across our Best Selling range you will find the process at work. The Dog Tag Chain (Gold), the Foxtail Bracelet (Gold), and the Block Chain Bracelet (Black) all rely on plated colour over a steel core.

Plated colour also appears on signet and statement rings. The Onyx Signet Ring (Gold) pairs a gold-plated steel band with a natural onyx stone, combining coated metal and solid material in one piece. Browse the full Signet Rings collection to compare finishes.

PVD / IP vs Traditional Electroplating

Older electroplating methods deposit metal using an electric current in a liquid bath. It works, but the resulting layer is generally softer and less firmly bonded than a PVD/IP coating.

PVD/IP is done dry, in a vacuum, and produces a harder, more scratch-resistant surface. It is also a cleaner process with fewer harmful by-products, which matters for both quality and responsibility.

For men's jewellery that gets worn hard, the difference shows up over months and years. That is exactly why Manful uses PVD/IP for coloured stainless steel rather than cheaper alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does PVD / IP plating wear off?

It can eventually show wear on high-contact areas, but it lasts far longer than standard electroplating or paint. Chains and pendants tend to hold colour longest, while daily-worn rings see the most abrasion.

Is IP plating the same as PVD?

IP (Ion Plating) is a specific type of PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). Both describe a hard, vacuum-deposited colour coating, so you can treat the terms as interchangeable when shopping.

Is PVD / IP plated jewellery waterproof?

The coating handles everyday contact with water, sweat, and rain well. To protect it long term, remove pieces before swimming in chlorinated pools or exposing them to harsh cleaning chemicals.

Is PVD / IP plating safe for sensitive skin?

PVD/IP coatings are inert and generally skin-friendly, sitting over 316L stainless steel that most people tolerate well. If you have a strong metal sensitivity, a solid titanium band such as the Brushed Titanium Band (Silver) is a good alternative.

Can PVD / IP plating be repaired if it wears?

Re-plating usually is not practical or cost-effective for everyday jewellery. The better approach is good care from the start, or choosing solid-colour materials like tungsten for pieces you will wear constantly.

What colours does Manful offer through PVD / IP plating?

Manful uses PVD/IP to create black, gold, and gunmetal finishes on stainless steel. Silver pieces use the natural steel tone and do not require plating.

Is PVD / IP plated jewellery worth it?

For coloured men's jewellery, yes. You get the durability and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel with a hard, long-lasting colour layer, which is why it appears across our Best Selling range.

What Is PVD / IP Plating?