Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an iron alloy with at least 10.5% chromium, which gives it its corrosion resistance. It is valued in jewelry because it does not tarnish, stands up to daily wear and keeps an even shine with very little care.

Properties #

• Composition: iron, chromium and, depending on the grade, nickel and molybdenum; 316L and 304 are common in jewelry.
• Color: bright silvery gray; also found with gold, rose or black platings.
• Melting point: around 1400-1450 °C.
• Hardness: high: it resists scratches and knocks well.
• Density: about 7.9 g/cm³.

Uses in jewelry #

• Watches, bracelets, chains and everyday pendants.
• Modern rings and wedding bands, especially masculine and sporty styles.
• Earrings and body piercings (316L surgical steel is the most common).
• Minimalist and industrial-design jewelry.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

• It does not tarnish or rust with normal use.
• Very strong and durable.
• Inexpensive and easy to maintain.

Limitations #

• It is hard to work at a jewelry bench: it cannot easily be soldered or resized.
• It contains some nickel, which can affect very sensitive people.
• It lacks the value of precious metals.

Care and cleaning #

• Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a microfiber cloth.
• Avoid abrasive scouring pads that leave scratches.
• Color platings can wear off with friction, so protect them from chemicals.

See also #

• Titanium
• Tungsten
• Nickel silver (German silver)