PRODUCT CARE & WARRANTY
WHAT IS GOLD PVD PLATING?
PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition and is the process of bonding a thin layer of liquid gold to the surface of another metal, stainless steel, in a vacuum.
PVD coating is highly durable and is more resistant to corrosion from sweat and water than traditional gold plating. PVD is technically waterproof and sweatproof, making it a great choice for people who never take their jewellery off, as it is extremely durable and retains its vibrant hue for many years. Even big, luxury brands use this process for their watches, such as Rolex and Cartier.
Articles Atelier pieces are made of high quality material with the 18K gold PVD plating thickness varying from approximately 2 to 3 microns.
Gold plated jewellery will naturally wear down over time and fade. However, this process can be delayed and the longevity of your pieces increased by following care instructions.
WARRANTY
Our PVD jewellery comes with a two year warranty against manufacturing faults from the date of purchase on items with proof of purchase. Our warranty covers faulty items only. Our warranty does not cover general wear and tear and/or damage caused by misuse or mishandling. Please refer to our care instructions for general care instructions.
THINGS TO AVOID
Although our pieces are waterproof and sweatproof, we recommend removing your Articles Atelier pieces before showering, exercising, swimming, cleaning or doing any activity that involves moisture or harsh chemicals such as chlorine, nail polish remover or cleaning products. This is to prevent loss or damage caused by these activities.
We do not recommend that you spray perfume or other body sprays or apply moisturisers while wearing your Articles Atelier jewellery. These products often contain chemicals which can dissolve or tarnish the layers of gold on your piece. Instead, we recommend applying moisturisers, body sprays and perfumes well before it's time to put on your jewellery for the day. This is to give the these products time to settle in and absorb into the skin before wearing your pieces.
TARNISH
Please be aware that tarnish is not necessarily a manufacturing fault and can occur for many reasons and is influenced by the environment of the wearer. Tarnish is caused by many factors including moisturisers, perfumes, tanning lotions and cleaning chemicals. The rate of tarnish can even be influenced by a person's skin acidity.
CLEANING
After wearing, clean your pieces with a clean and dry cloth to restore their shine. With each Articles Atelier purchase, you will receive a complimentary microfibre cloth suitable to gently clean your pieces.
If your jewellery needs more cleaning ,you may clean it with warm, soapy water. Soak it for a few minutes and you may clean it with a soft cloth.
For plated pieces,we do not recommend the use of a polishing cloth as this will strip away the gold plating.
Harsh chemicals will affect the color of your pieces. Please only use recommended jewellery cleaning products and only use these on solid metals such as sterling silver or solid gold. Do not use jewellery cleaning solutions on plated pieces.
STORAGE
Store your jewellery in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
When taking off your Articles Atelier pieces for the day, we recommend storing them in the microfibre pouch provided with your purchase or a purpose-built jewellery box to keep them safe.
FURTHER QUESTIONS
We want to make sure that you love your Articles Atelier pieces and get plenty of wear out of them. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the quality of your pieces or any other matters, please email us at info@articlesatelier.com and we will be more than happy to assist.