Pros & Cons Of Stainless Steel Jewellery And Is It Safe To Wear?

16 Sep 2022 • articles

Stainless steel is unlikely to be the first metal that comes to mind when you think about jewellery. Gold, sterling silver and platinum are metals that you are more likely to think of first. So why should you consider stainless steel jewellery? Is it better or worse than other jewellery metals and is it safe to wear if you have a metal allergy?

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy, meaning that it is not a pure metal but mixed with other materials which can provide additional benefits. Gold and silver are also similarly mixed with other materials when used in jewellery items as they can be too soft to be useable in their pure state.

Items made from stainless steel can be polished to a high shine or left in a matte finish to create a different textured look.

So what are the pros of stainless steel jewellery and does it have advantages over other jewellery metals?

1. Good value

• Stainless steel is very durable, meaning that jewellery items will last and wear well.
• It is also very affordable. Jewellery made from stainless steel tends to be less expensive than gold and silver. So if cost is an issue (which many people will be mindful of given the current economic climate) it makes a budget friendly alternative option.
• It's strong. For instance, a similar size dainty chain in stainless steel is far less likely to break compared to sterling silver or gold chains.

 (Photo credit: Sarah Agnew)

2. Low maintenance

• No discolouration. Sterling silver and copper jewellery for instance can easily discolour as they are far more prone to react: to air, humidity, perfumes, cleaning chemicals etc. This means that more care has to be taken of them compared to stainless steel jewellery.
• Corrosion (i.e. rust) and tarnish resistant. That does not mean that stainless steel can't be affected, but it will take far longer to tarnish compared to some other metals.
• Easy to clean as no special cleaning products are needed with stainless steel. (A damp cloth with gentle wiping should normally suffice. Otherwise, some water with some gentle dishwashing soap can be used to dip the cloth in before gently wiping. Always wipe in the direction of any polish lines and make sure that any soap residue is removed and the jewellery item is thoroughly dried.)

3. Versatile

What do you think of when you think of stainless steel jewellery?

I'm going to hazard a guess that you're thinking of thick chain necklaces and bracelets suitable for men. Whilst there is stainless steel jewellery like that, these days there is a much wider variety of parts available. So the thick chunky style is far from the only style of stainless steel jewellery on offer.

• Stainless steel is available in many different designs, e.g:
• Thin or thick chains
• Bangles
• Bracelets
• Rings
• Necklaces
• Earrings
• Beads
• Charms

4. Comfort

• It can be lightweight. Some stainless steel jewellery can be quite chunky and big. But it is also possible to get some very dainty and delicate stainless steel jewellery too.
• Stainless steel has hypoallergenic properties. So it can be more suitable than some other jewellery metals for someone who has sensitive skin (but it is very dependent upon the individual and the exact type of stainless steel).
• Suitable for everyday wear. Wear it with a casual outfit or a dressed-up outfit, whatever your style, you can find something that can suit your own personal taste.

So what are the cons of stainless steel jewellery and does it have disadvantages over other jewellery metals?

1. Worth

• The reselling price of stainless steel metal doesn't hold much value when sold compared to gold for example, which can potentially go up in price.

2. Maintenance

• Stainless steel might be low maintenance, but that doesn't mean that there is no maintenance. It can dent (less so for example than gold which is a softer metal) and it can also be scratched over time.
• It's best to store stainless steel jewellery items separately from other items when not in use.
• Stainless steel can react to chlorine, but that is dependent upon the stainless steel composition (i.e. the exact type of alloy it is). Therefore, care needs to be taken when wearing when in a chlorinated swimming pool (best to leave off if you're unsure!).

3. Versatility

• There are far more options for jewellery created from stainless steel metal today. But there is still less choice compared to silver plated and zinc metal alloy charms for instance. Stainless steel is a much harder metal and therefore is more difficult to work with.
• For stainless steel, strength can be both a pro and a con. It's a disadvantage due to the fact it can be more rigid and thus more difficult if you want to resize a ring for example.

4. Metal allergy

• Stainless steel can be a more appropriate metal if you have sensitive skin. But if you have a nickel allergy you might need to be careful with the type of stainless steel you wear. Most stainless steel jewellery that you will find is 304 stainless steel (304 denotes the type of alloy mix it is). The hypoallergenic version is surgical stainless steel (316 and 316L). So for a nickel allergy, it might be more appropriate to consider looking for jewellery in high carat yellow gold and platinum metals instead.

Stainless steel, an alloy made from metals including iron, chromium, titanium, and nickel, is widely used in making automobile parts and household appliances such as cooking utensils. With its appearance resembling silver, it has recently been adopted in making jewelry. Like titanium and tungsten rings, stainless ring’s low price makes it one of the modern rings that are very popular on the consumer market. However, before you decide on buying a stainless ring, it is necessary for you to know of its pros and cons.

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Advantages of stainless steel rings

1.Durable

Stainless rings are ideal choices for people whose occupations involve manual labor and heavy lifting. Though there are rings made from fine stuff that are durable too, few people would like to wear their expensive rings in the above-mentioned working condition.

2.Affordable

For those of you who are looking for rings sold at low prices, you definitely should take a look at stainless rings available in a variety of styles on the market.

3.Customizable

Though there have been a variety of styles of stainless rings on the market, you could still have one crafted according to your design if the special style you are looking for is not sold.

4.For the sake of safety

In case when it is difficult to take off the ring, it is always easy to cut off a stainless ring with cutting tools. Compared to gold and silver, stainless steel is a very poor conductor of electricity and much safer for electricians.

Disadvantages of stainless steel rings

1.Prone to dents

When being stricken to very hard surfaces, dents are always left on a stainless ring. Bearing this in mind, it is highly recommended that you watch out for such contacts.

2.May cause skin allergies

Since stainless steel contains nickel, it is not a good choice for people who are allergic to nickel. Instead, you may consider titanium or ceramic rings.

3.Rigidity

Stainless steel’s stiffness is a double sword. On one hand, it contributes to the alloy’s durability. On the other hand, stainless steel is difficult to be forged and to be made into delicate style jewelry. That being said, it is also difficult to repair a stainless ring once it is damaged.

Image source: pixabay.com