Looking for different colours, or simply curious about the differences between PVD and anodizing? This article will answer your questions.
Please note that, throughout this article, any reference to “titanium” refers specifically to the ASTM F136 implant-grade titanium used in our piercing shop.
What are PVD and Anodizing?
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is a vacuum coating process that adds a thin-film layer on top to the original material by a physical process, such as sputtering. PVD coating can be applied to titanium to create different colours and decorative finishes while also providing good wear resistance, adhesion, and corrosion resistance. Common finishes include gold, rose gold, and black. We believe this is the closest way to replicate the appearance of gold or rose gold.
Below is an example of our titanium jewellery with a real gold PVD coating:
Anodizing, on the other hand, is an electrochemical process that changes the colour of titanium without adding paint, dye, or a coloured coating. Instead, electricity is used to carefully control the thickness of the naturally occurring oxide layer on the surface of the titanium.
The underlying titanium alloy remains the same; what changes is the thickness of the oxide layer at its surface. As light reflects from this extremely thin layer, different wavelengths of light interfere with one another, producing the different colours we see.
Below is a chart showing the fun range of colours that can be achieved through anodizing.
However, the gold colour produced through anodizing cannot truly match the appearance of real gold or a gold PVD coating. As shown in the comparison below, anodized gold tends to appear more like a strong, saturated yellow, rather than the softer, warmer gold tone characteristic of real gold.
Are PVD and Anodizing safe for body piercing?
PVD
PVD can be suitable for body piercing jewellery, but unlike anodizing, it adds a separate coating material onto the surface of the metal. Because of this, its suitability depends not only on the base metal, but also on the composition, quality, durability, and surface finish of the PVD coating itself.
High-quality PVD coatings can be hard, smooth, and wear-resistant. However, because the colour comes from an added surface layer, that layer can potentially become scratched or worn over time. If this happens, the underlying metal may become exposed.
For body piercing jewellery, this means PVD should be considered as both the coating and the material underneath it, rather than judged by the base metal or the coating material alone.
Another consideration with PVD is that it introduces an additional material to the jewellery, which may increase the possibility of sensitivity or an allergic reaction depending on the coating material.
Anodizing
Anodizing does not rely on a coating made from another material. Its colour comes entirely from changes in the thickness of the oxide layer that already exists naturally on the surface of titanium after an electrical current is applied. Therefore, if we are looking purely at the material itself, anodizing is one of the best options because it preserves the properties of titanium — particularly its high biocompatibility, high strength, and low weight. These are some of the key qualities that make titanium such a highly biocompatible material commonly chosen for people with metal sensitivities.
However, based on our own experience with anodizing, there are several other points worth noting. Excessively high voltages and/or prolonged anodizing can leave the titanium with a dull, grey, matte-looking surface — something we refer to in our shop as a “burnt” finish. This type of surface can be noticeably less smooth than a properly anodized surface.
A less smooth surface can have both advantages and disadvantages, but for piercing jewellery the disadvantages are particularly important. Piercing discharge and other residue may be more difficult to clean from a rougher surface, and if the jewellery moves, a less smooth surface may cause more irritation or trauma to the piercing channel than a properly polished surface. It is also important to note that the degree of mirror reflection is not always a simple indicator of surface smoothness. In practical terms, the important thing is to choose anodized jewellery with a properly smooth surface.
Another point is that the appearance of anodized colour is more easily affected by moisture and natural body oils than PVD-coated colour. Both the brightness and colour saturation may appear reduced when water or oils are present on the surface. Once these are removed, however, the original anodized colour returns.
Finally, anodized colour is not permanent in every environment. The oxide layer can gradually be worn or altered over time depending on where and how the jewellery is worn. We have seen examples where anodized finishes were damaged by hair bleach as well as by conditions inside the mouth.
Which Is Most Suitable for a Fresh Piercing: Plain, PVD-Coated, or Anodized Titanium?
In general, properly finished uncoated or anodized ASTM F136 titanium is an excellent choice for a fresh healing piercing.
Anodizing changes the thickness of titanium's existing oxide layer rather than adding a separate coloured material, allowing the titanium to retain the material properties for which implant-grade titanium is valued.
PVD-coated jewellery is generally not our preferred choice for a fresh healing piercing. Unlike anodizing, PVD introduces an additional surface material, and the suitability of the jewellery therefore depends on both the coating and the material underneath it. The condition of the coating can also change over time through wear, scratching, or exposure to different environments.
For a fresh piercing, material quality is only one part of the equation. Surface smoothness, jewellery design, correct sizing, sterilisation, and appropriate placement are also important for successful healing.
If you are unsure which jewellery is suitable for your piercing, speak with a professional piercer who can assess the piercing and recommend an appropriate option.
