Our Materials
Every piece starts with a material choice. Here's exactly what goes into your jewelry and why.
Our Materials
We chose our materials deliberately — for durability, safety, aesthetics, and value. Here's the full picture.
- GLOW, HAZE & DUSK boxes: Premium 316L stainless steel base with 18K gold via PVD plating
- LUNE box: .925 sterling silver
- STAR box: Combination of 18K gold-plated stainless steel and sterling silver depending on the monthly theme
All materials are hypoallergenic, nickel-free, and tarnish-resistant.
Yes. Every Maison Vue piece is hypoallergenic and nickel-free. Our stainless steel base (316L surgical grade) is one of the most skin-safe metals available. Our PVD gold coating adds an additional protective layer that is certified skin-safe.
18K Gold PVD Plating
The Gold Standard
in Plating
PVD plating is used by luxury watchmakers and jewelers worldwide for its exceptional durability, colour accuracy, and skin safety. It's the most advanced plating technology available.
Base Metal
316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel
Plating
18K Gold via Physical Vapour Deposition
Thickness
0.3–0.5 microns PVD layer
Skin Safety
Hypoallergenic, Nickel-Free, Certified Safe
Water Resistance
Water & Sweat Resistant
Expected Lifespan
1–3+ years with proper care
PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition. The process involves vaporising gold in a vacuum chamber and depositing it in an extremely thin, even layer onto the metal surface. The result is a bond that is significantly harder and more durable than traditional electroplating, producing a finish that maintains its colour and lustre far longer.
Traditional electroplating deposits gold using an electrical current in a chemical bath. This produces a softer, thinner coating that wears off more quickly. PVD creates a molecular bond between the gold and the metal surface, producing a coating that is 2–3x more durable, produces no harmful chemical waste, and maintains a richer, more consistent colour tone.
Sterling Silver .925
Pure Silver.
Elevated Design.
Sterling silver has been used in fine jewelry for centuries. Its brilliant lustre, durability, and versatility make it the perfect canvas for statement pieces.
Purity
.925 Sterling Silver (92.5% pure silver)
Hallmark
925 stamp on all LUNE pieces
Skin Safety
Hypoallergenic for most skin types
Water Resistance
Moderate — avoid prolonged water exposure
Tarnish
Natural tarnishing occurs — easily cleaned
Sustainability Goal
Transitioning to certified recycled silver 2026
.925 means the metal is 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals (usually copper). Pure silver (99.9%) is too soft for everyday jewelry — the addition of copper increases durability while maintaining silver's characteristic brilliance. All genuine sterling silver is marked with a .925 or 925 hallmark.
Sterling silver naturally tarnishes over time due to a reaction with sulphur in the air. This is completely normal and does not indicate damage — it's actually a sign of genuine silver. Regular gentle cleaning with a silver polishing cloth will easily remove tarnish and restore the original lustre. Proper storage in your pouch significantly slows tarnishing.
Stones & Details
Depending on the monthly collection, our pieces feature cubic zirconia (CZ), crystal glass, freshwater pearl elements, and polished enamel details. All stones are set securely and tested for everyday wear durability.
Most of our stones are premium cubic zirconia or crystal glass — high-quality alternatives that offer brilliant sparkle at an accessible price point. Some limited-edition and STAR box pieces may feature semi-precious stone elements, which will always be clearly described.
Our pearl elements are premium freshwater cultured pearls or high-quality pearl simulation depending on the piece. The product description for each individual piece will specify. All pearl elements are selected for consistent lustre and quality.
Why We Chose These Materials
Solid gold is beautiful but inaccessible at subscription price points that allow us to deliver real value every month. 316L stainless steel is the closest alternative — it's hypoallergenic, highly durable, entirely resistant to rust and corrosion, and provides the perfect base for our PVD gold plating. The result is a piece that looks, feels, and wears like fine gold jewelry at a fraction of the cost.
We chose PVD because it's simply the best plating technology available. It's more durable than electroplating, produces no harmful chemical waste, creates a richer colour, and bonds to the metal at a molecular level. It's the same technology used by luxury watch brands. We felt our members deserved the best available.
Yes — it's in our roadmap. As Maison Vue grows, we plan to introduce a fine jewelry tier featuring solid 9K and 14K gold pieces available to higher-tier members. We expect to launch this range in 2026.