Gold-tone Stylr pieces are plated or PVD-finished, not solid gold — unless a product page explicitly says otherwise, and the base metal varies by item.
What the construction actually is
For styles whose product page identifies PVD-coated 316L stainless steel, the gold tone is a roughly 0.08-micron gold-color layer bonded to a surgical stainless-steel core via vapor deposition. That’s a different process from traditional gold plating or gold vermeil, where the gold layer is electroplated onto a silver base and tends to wear thin or patchy within 6–12 months as the silver underneath starts to show through. PVD on 316L is engineered to hold its color for roughly 1–2 years of daily wear before any gradual, even fading begins — and because the base metal there is steel rather than silver, the metal underneath doesn’t tarnish or turn your skin green even once the gold tone eventually fades.
To be clear: none of this is solid gold, in any karat, and we never describe it that way. It’s a plated or PVD finish over a base metal, priced well below solid gold — solid 14k gold runs $200–1,500+ and is indefinitely durable, but it’s a different category of product and price entirely.
Check your product page for the specifics
Not every Stylr style is built the same way. Materials vary across the catalog, and the product page for each piece states its base metal, finish, and stones — that page is the source of truth for a specific item, not a general statement like this one. The construction described above applies only to styles whose product page identifies PVD-coated 316L stainless steel; other Stylr styles may use different base metals and finishes.
Why we back it this way
Every Stylr style — whatever its base metal — carries a Lifetime Color Warranty on the plated finish, covering genuine color loss for as long as you own the piece, plus a 1-Year Hardware Warranty on the clasp and connecting hardware from your delivery date. For styles built on PVD-coated 316L, that construction is part of why the coverage holds up well in practice, since the underlying steel doesn’t degrade the way a silver base does. If a piece does eventually show genuine finish failure within those terms, email info@stylr.us with your order number and a photo and we’ll review it.
See Stylr’s guarantees & warranty, explained for the full terms, or What is Stylr jewelry made of? for the complete material breakdown.
