Gold-tone Stylr pieces are plated or PVD-finished, not solid gold, unless a product page says otherwise — the base metal varies by item, and we’ll always tell you exactly what’s under the finish. The fastest way to confirm what your specific piece is made of is its product page.

What PVD-coated 316L stainless steel is

Many Stylr styles use this construction. Where a product page identifies it:

  • 316L surgical stainless steel base — an alloy of roughly 16–18% chromium, 10–14% nickel, and 2–3% molybdenum, with the balance iron. It’s the same family of steel used in body-piercing jewelry and surgical implants, and the molybdenum is what gives it strong resistance to corrosion.
  • PVD gold-tone plating — PVD (physical vapor deposition) bonds a gold-tone finish to the steel at a molecular level, rather than dipping or brushing it on. That’s why it holds up to far more daily wear than ordinary electroplating before any fading starts.

It is not solid gold, and we won’t imply otherwise — the steel base is exactly why these pieces can be worn every day, including in water, without the finish lifting the way thin electroplating does.

Is it hypoallergenic?

Yes — but we won’t say “nickel-free,” because that wouldn’t be accurate. 316L does contain nickel by composition; what makes it skin-friendly is that the nickel stays bound inside the steel and rarely reaches the surface in amounts that trigger a reaction. That’s enough for most people with a documented nickel sensitivity to wear it comfortably. If you have a severe, medically diagnosed nickel allergy, stainless steel — including 316L — isn’t the safest option for you; implant-grade titanium is the more reliable choice, and Stylr doesn’t currently carry titanium pieces.

Water and tarnish resistance, with one caveat

Because PVD-coated 316L pairs a stainless steel base with a PVD-bonded finish rather than a dipped one, that construction is designed to handle showers, sweat, and swimming without rusting or tarnishing the way sterling silver or brass can. That said, a piece with pearls, shells, glued stones, or other decorative details can have different care needs even when the base metal is 316L — those details don’t share the metal’s water tolerance. Your product page will call out anything like that.

Not every Stylr style is built the same way

PVD-coated 316L is one of Stylr’s constructions, but it isn’t the only one — the catalog also includes styles built on other base metals or finishes. Before assuming a care tip on this page applies to a specific ring, necklace, or earring, check that piece’s own product page to confirm what it’s made of. For day-to-day care of a 316L piece, see Caring for your Stylr jewelry. For a deeper look at how 316L compares to vermeil, gold-filled, and solid gold, see our material & care guide.

Questions about a specific piece? Email info@stylr.us with your order number and we’ll confirm exactly what it’s made of.