You may be quick to assume that sterling silver jewelry is the way to go – it’s a high-quality, precious metal that has been used to make delicate pieces of jewelry for thousands of years! However, as technology improves all areas of life, we are happy to be able to welcome stainless steel jewelry into the category of “metals that are best for your skin.”
In fact, there are many reason as to why stainless steel is better for your skin AND lifespan of your jewelry! That’s right, but choosing jewelry made out of stainless steel you can actually have better looking jewelry for longer.
Let’s get into the benefits of stainless steel jewelry over sterling silver jewelry in more detail
Stainless Steel Jewelry Does Not Tarnish
There’s nothing worse than wearing a beautiful piece of your favorite jewelry for a little while and then noticing that it’s turned a completely different color. Once silver tarnishes, you have to take time, money, and effort to polish it back to its original shine – and be careful to not ruin the integrity of the silver!
Stainless steel does not tarnish at all, so that’s one less thing that you’ll have to worry about. Your jewelry will always look as beautiful as the first day you put it on, every after wearing it in the ocean, shower, pool, or getting perfume on it - the same can’t be said for sterling silver jewelry.
Stainless Steel is More Affordable
Have you ever had your eye on a beautiful piece of sterling silver jewelry, but you decided that purchasing it would be irresponsible due to its price point? Stainless steel is a much more affordable material which makes it accessible to more people. We believe that everyone has the right to feel and look their best, and that’s why we use high grade stainless steel over sterling silver.
Finally, everyone can have the impressive jewelry collection that they’ve always wanted!
Stainless Steel is Kind to Sensitive Skin
If you go searching for the answer to the question “is sterling silver hypoallergenic?” you’ll find that you get mixed answers. Silver has to be mixed with other metals in order for it to be hard enough to make jewelry out of, which can make for risky business if you have particularly sensitive skin.
Stainless steel is well tolerated by the large majority of wearers, including most people with nickel sensitivities. Like every austenitic stainless steel, it does contain nickel — our 304 tested at 8.02% — but the chromium-oxide layer that forms on the surface locks that nickel into the alloy so it does not release onto skin in normal wear. That is what makes stainless steel comfortable for long-term, everyday contact. Anyone with a diagnosed nickel allergy should still test a piece before committing to all-day wear.
Choosing Stainless Steel over Sterling Silver Jewelry
Here at Continental Bead Suppliers, our chains and findings are made from 304 stainless steel — lower in nickel than 316L, and priced so you can keep healthy margins on the pieces you build with it. Our stainless steel will not tarnish or turn black from oxidation, and the overwhelming majority of wearers have no skin issues with it. See why so many people are switching from sterling silver jewelry to stainless steel jewelry! Shop our collections today.