Contrast or shadow between flat shiny surfaces

[suvie]

I have several flat and shiny surface on top of each other in Blender and I am having trouble getting definition between them. The edges seem to disappear and “blend” together. I am very new to Blender and I tried finding a solution to this online without luck. The material here is polished brass and there is a HDRI. I have tried changing and moving different lights around, but this issue does not seem to go away. I wonder if this is a material property or a render setting that needs changing?

I tried using the shadow catcher, but it seemed very strong on this shiny surface and creates more problems that solutions. I am using Cycles as a render engine, though this same issue happens on Eevee too.

Here is a picture where the parts look like one, while actually being on different levels.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated!

[Okidoki]

I’m not sure what are we seeing here… Maybe a simple front view not this black things on the left half image, a bit bigger, just 3 to 4 special objects to see what you mean by edge blend together more clearly? Because this is just gold on gold background and maybe the edges just dispear becaus ethe object are just flat (no thickness)?

[suvie]

Here are a pic in solid view - hope this helps a little, I cannot post the entire system unfortunately The gear objects are about 1mm thick each and they sit on top of each other. So if it was a photo I would expect to see some definition between these layers.

[Okidoki]

Oh yes now i can SEEE it … bevels everyhing has bevels, ther are no sharp edges in real life… try a bevel modifier.
Edit: left without/ right with bevel:

[suvie]

Yess, that helps! Thank you very much!