PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) is a vacuum coating process of vaporizing a solid metal to plasma of atoms or molecules, vapor that can be deposited as a high performance coating on wide variety of substrates. Evaporation in PVD can be forced by several methods. At Salamander Jewelry we use these two methods:

1. Magnetron Sputtering, where the coating material is "blasted" from the target by plasma.

2. Cathodic Arc Technology in which an electric arc is used to vaporize material from a cathode target. The high concentration of ions allows control of film morphology, high adhesion (none other methods can provide), efficient reactive deposition of compounds and uniform deposition over a variety of shapes.

Mixing high purity gases used during the process we obtain specific colors combining the benefits of a decorative finish with excellent wear and corrosion resistance. This thin film provides a protective skin on the jewelry enhancing the visual and functional performance.

PVD will not dull and it will not level or fill like an electroplated finish so the surface design will still be visible after the coating process.

In PVD, the substrate does not need to be metallic or electrically conductive, making it possible to coat ceramic and plastic objects..