Stainless Steel Jewelry

Why choose stainless steel jewelry?

Stainless steel is an iron alloy containing chromium. In contact with air, that chromium forms an invisible oxide film on the surface that protects the metal and rebuilds itself when the piece gets scratched. In practice, good steel jewelry resists tarnish far better than silver or brass, keeps its color and stands up well to the knocks of daily wear, which makes it ideal for pieces you never take off: a fine chain, a slim band, a pair of hoops. It is not invincible, though. Chlorine, long exposure to salt water and harsh cleaning products can dull or spot it, so a little care still goes a long way. Our guide does stainless steel tarnish? explains the nuances in detail.

316L, 304L and surgical steel

Two grades appear most often in jewelry. 304 steel is the most widely used stainless steel and performs well in daily life. 316L adds molybdenum, which improves resistance to sweat, seawater and pool water; it is often sold as "surgical steel", a commercial term rather than a regulated standard. When the grade is known, we state it on the product page: our heart photo locket necklace is in 316L stainless steel, our custom name bracelet in 304L. Both grades contain nickel bound inside the alloy, so if you have a known nickel allergy, ask a dermatologist's advice before choosing.

Natural steel, gold plating and black finishes

Silver-tone steel jewelry is usually the steel itself, polished, so there is no color layer to wear away. Gold-tone and black pieces have a thin coating applied to the steel, such as 18k gold plating or the IP gold plating on our men's Cuban link chain; the black ring for men works on the same principle. That layer is durable but can slowly thin where it rubs, on the inside of a ring or around a clasp; that is wear, not tarnish. If you want a gold look on a piece you will wear constantly, the gold four-leaf clover necklace or our chunky hoop earrings are easy choices; if you want a color that never needs re-coating, choose silver-tone steel. Our comparison of gold vermeil, gold filled and gold plated explains the different gold finishes.

Stainless steel jewelry for women and men

For women, steel brings fine chains, pendants and charms within easy reach: browse our necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings. For men, it is the natural material for solid chains, ID bracelets and bands that are worn daily, at work and at the weekend: see our men's necklaces, men's bracelets and men's rings, including the polished men's stainless steel band ring.

How to clean stainless steel jewelry

Since steel does not build up a tarnish layer like silver, cleaning is mostly about removing residue from lotion, perfume and skin. Soak the piece for a few minutes in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, brush gently with a soft toothbrush, rinse and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive powders and steel wool, especially on gold-tone and black finishes. Take your jewelry off before the pool, the sea or household cleaning, and rinse it with clean water if it has been in contact with salt or sweat.