The Kaleya Studio Standard for Lasting, Tarnish-Resistant Style

Not All Gold Plating Shines the Same

Gold plated jewellery offers a wonderful way to enjoy the luxurious look of gold affordably. However, you might have noticed that the quality and longevity of plated pieces can vary dramatically. Some items fade or discolour quickly, while others maintain their beauty much longer. At Kaleya Studio, we believe your jewellery should be both beautiful and enduring, which is why we exclusively use Heavy Gold Plating for our gold-finished collections.

But what does that actually mean, and why does it matter? This guide explains the Kaleya Studio standard, detailing what Heavy Gold Plating is, why it's superior to other common plating types, and how it contributes to the durable, highly tarnish-resistant jewellery you can wear with confidence every day.

What We Use: Defining Heavy Gold Plating

When we talk about Heavy Gold Plating (often abbreviated HGP) or the specific standard known as Gold Vermeil, we're referring to a significantly thicker and more substantial layer of real gold applied over a quality base metal compared to cheaper alternatives.

The Kaleya Standard - Thickness: We ensure our gold plating meets high standards, typically involving at least 2.5 microns of rich 18k gold.
The Contrast - Flash/Standard Plating: This is vastly different from common "flash plating" (often under 0.5 microns) or standard fashion jewellery plating (typically 0.5-1.5 microns). These thinner layers offer little more than temporary colour.
The Base Matters Too: Crucially, our 18k Heavy Gold Plating is applied over high-quality base metals known for their durability and skin compatibility, such as hypoallergenic 316L Stainless Steel or solid 925 Sterling Silver (creating Gold Vermeil). (Learn about Vermeil here).

H2: Why Choose Heavy Gold Plating? The Benefits

Opting for Heavy Gold Plating isn't just about technical specifications; it translates into real benefits for you:

Significantly Enhanced Durability: The much thicker layer of 18k gold (5-10 times thicker than flash plating) provides far greater resistance to wear and tear from daily life, friction, and contact.
Longer-Lasting Golden Shine: Your Kaleya Studio pieces are designed to maintain their radiant gold finish for much longer than thinly plated alternatives, giving you extended enjoyment and better value.
Richer Appearance: The substantial layer of 18k gold provides a deep, luxurious colour and lustre that cheap plating often lacks.
Better for Sensitive Skin (Barrier): The thicker gold layer provides a more robust, longer-lasting barrier between your skin and the base metal. Combined with our choice of hypoallergenic base metals like 316L steel or nickel-free sterling silver, it significantly reduces the risk of irritation. (Read more on hypoallergenic jewellery).

The Kaleya Difference: How We Achieve High Tarnish Resistance

One of the biggest frustrations with plated jewellery is seeing it tarnish or fade prematurely. At Kaleya Studio, we combat this by focusing on superior materials and advanced processes right from the core:

Premium Base Metals: We build upon high-quality foundations. Many of our gold-toned pieces utilise 316L Stainless Steel, selected specifically for its inherent strength and exceptional resistance to rust, corrosion, and tarnishing. For our Gold Vermeil range, we use solid 925 Sterling Silver, providing a precious metal base.
Advanced 18k Gold PVD Coating (on Steel): This is where the magic happens for our steel-based gold jewellery. Instead of standard electroplating, we use an advanced 18k Gold PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating process. PVD technology molecularly bonds the 18k gold to the stainless steel, creating an incredibly durable, hard-wearing finish. This makes the gold layer significantly more resistant to scratches, fading, and, crucially, tarnishing compared to traditional plating methods. It’s designed to withstand daily life beautifully.
Thick 18k Gold Plating (on Silver for Vermeil): For our Gold Vermeil pieces (18k gold over sterling silver), we adhere to the required high standards, applying a thick layer of plating (at least 2.5 microns). While the underlying sterling silver can naturally tarnish if exposed over long periods or with heavy wear, this substantial 18k gold layer provides excellent, long-lasting protection against tarnishing elements when handled with proper care.

This deliberate combination – selecting inherently robust and tarnish-resistant base metals like 316L steel, employing cutting-edge PVD coating technology for our gold finish on steel, and ensuring substantial heavy gold plating for our Vermeil – means your Kaleya Studio jewellery is engineered for exceptional tarnish resistance and enduring beauty under normal wear conditions.

How to Recognise Quality Plating (Like Ours!)

While visually assessing plating thickness on a new item is difficult, you can look for clear signs of quality when shopping for plated jewellery:

Brand Transparency (The Kaleya Way): We believe you deserve to know what you're buying. Look for brands that openly state the gold karat (e.g., 18k), the base metal (e.g., 316L Steel, 925 Silver/Vermeil), and crucially, the plating method and quality. We specify our use of advanced 18k Gold PVD coating on steel and Heavy Gold Plating (minimum 2.5 microns) for Vermeil, so you understand the superior standard you're receiving.
Specific Terminology & Processes: Recognise terms indicating higher quality. "Heavy Gold Plating," "Gold Vermeil," specified micron counts (2.0μm+), and advanced processes like "PVD Coating" all signal a more durable, premium finish compared to vague descriptions like simple "gold plated" or "gold tone."
Price Point: Extremely low prices almost invariably mean minimal flash or thin standard plating. Prices reflecting quality materials (like sterling silver or stainless steel bases), significant plating thickness, and advanced processes like PVD will naturally be higher, but offer far better long-term value and durability.
Guarantees: A strong guarantee reflects a brand's confidence in its materials and processes. Our two-year guarantee on the finish underscores our commitment to the durability achieved through our 18k Gold PVD coating on steel and heavy plating on our Vermeil pieces.

Invest in Plated Jewellery That Lasts

Not all gold plated jewellery is created equal, and fleeting finishes simply aren't the Kaleya Studio standard. By utilising advanced 18k Gold PVD coating on durable, hypoallergenic 316L Stainless Steel, and adhering to high standards with Heavy Gold Plating (at least 2.5 microns of 18k gold) for our Sterling Silver (Vermeil) pieces, we ensure our collection offers significantly enhanced durability, lasting beauty, and exceptional resistance to tarnishing compared to typical fashion jewellery.

It’s about providing you with affordable luxury that’s crafted with superior processes and quality materials, allowing you to wear your favourite pieces often and confidently – all backed by our quality guarantee. Experience the tangible difference that premium plating makes.