Physical vapor deposition

Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD or sputtering): A dry vacuum process used to coat parts with ultra-hard zirconium and titanium nitrides.
Plating: forming a layer of metal on an object from a plating solution.

Physical Vapor Deposition
A thin-film deposition process in which a material (metal, alloy, compound, cermet, or composite) is either evaporated or sputtered onto a substrate in a vacuum.
Pierced Work ...

Mystic topaz is produced using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process. Applied to top quality natural white topaz, the treatment is permanent with normal wear.

PVD Coated stands for Physical Vapor Deposition Coated. PVD is a coating that is commonly applied to the surface of the product which is then sealed with a polymer to protect it. Example: Watches.
pyrite ...

A thin layer of aluminium can be deposited onto a flat surface by physical vapor deposition or (very infrequently) chemical vapor deposition or other chemical means to form optical coatings and mirrors.

See also: Stone, Jewel, Pink, Jewelry, Crystal