Is Stainless Steel Good For Jewellery? The Pros & Cons

In the world of jewellery, the choice of metal is almost as important as the design itself. Material impacts the appearance, durability and price of the jewellery. With the rise of contemporary jewellery designs, you may have asked yourself “is stainless steel good for jewellery?”

In this blog, we go over what stainless steel is and the pros and cons in the context of jewellery. At the end of the blog, we’ll conclude whether stainless steel really is a good material for jewellery. What is stainless steel?

What Is Stainless Steel?

Stainless steel is an alloy that consists of iron and a minimum of 10.5% chromium content. Chromium forms a protective layer, preventing corrosion and staining. Other elements present in stainless steel such as nickel, molybdenum titanium and copper can be added to increase strength and formability. 

There are different grades of stainless steel based on structure and composition. This composition determines its properties and suitability in different applications. Common types of stainless steel include austenitic (non-magnetic, highly ductile) ferritic (magnetic, good corrosion resistance) and martensitic (magnetic, hardenable by heat treatment) 

Stainless Steel And It's Uses In Jewellery

316L and 304 stainless steel is most commonly used for jewellery. Both these grades of stainless steel are austenitic. These grades of stainless steel offer great corrosion resistant, hypoallergenic properties and durability, making them perfect for jewellery. 

Pros

• Durable - stainless steel is a hard metal making it resistant to scratches and dents.
• Resistant to tarnishing and rusting - because stainless steel jewellery features a protective chromium layer. This prevents the jewellery from discolouration over time.
• Less maintenance - to maintain stainless steel jewellery all you need to do is wipe it down with a soft cloth. For a more thorough cleaning, use a mixture of dish soap and warm water. 
• Hypoallergenic - stainless steel jewellery contains little to no nickel content. This makes stainless steel jewellery a great choice for people with sensitive skin.
• Affordable - stainless steel is not a precious metal and is much more affordable.
• More eco-friendly - stainless steel is recyclable and has a 100% recovery rate. Stainless steel does not absorb other compounds around it.

Cons

• Less versatile - stainless steel is a harder metal. It is harder to set gemstones or create deeper details. 
• Can contain nickel - depending on the type of stainless steel, it can have a higher content of nickel. This may be not as suitable for those with sensitive skin. 
• Value - stainless steel is not a precious metal and is therefore very affordable. Because of this, there is no resale value for stainless steel jewellery.

Conclusion

In conclusion, stainless steel is a great choice of material for jewellery. It offers the perfect balance between durability, resistance to corrosion and tarnishing, hypoallergenic properties and affordability. It is also environmentally friendly and can be recycled. 

Whilst stainless steel as a material has its limitations such as hardness, which poses limitations in terms of design and gemstone settings, its robust nature ensures that jewellery can withstand daily wear and tear. 

Before investing in stainless steel jewellery, take a moment to consider the different grades available. Some grades will have a higher nickel content than others, potentially increasing the chances of skin allergies when wearing. 

Ultimately the decision to choose stainless steel jewellery should be based on your own personal preferences, styling needs and skin sensitivities. 

So to answer the question “Is stainless steel good for jewellery?”, we would 100% say so. If you are looking for high-quality stainless steel jewellery, check out our collection below. 

Want to learn everything there is to know about stainless steel jewellery? Read our ultimate guide to stainless steel jewellery.