Does Surgical Steel Tarnish
No, surgical steel does not tarnish. It is made of special chromium coating which saves it from tarnish. Tarnish is mainly caused when a reactive metal reacts with atmospheric gases. Surgical steel is designed in such a way that it has a protective coating made of chromium which never allows steel beneath the coating to react with any chemical.
In this article we’ll explain does surgical steel tarnish, is it waterproof and should you shower with it or not?
What Jewelry Tarnishes?
Any jewelry made of silver, copper or copper based metals will tarnish with time. Even low purity gold alloys such as 9k or 10k gold can also tarnish. Speed of tarnishing will depend on jewelry’s contact with water and weather of the area. If your jewelry comes in contact with water on regular basis i.e. washing hands while wearing rings, it will tarnish quickly. There are multiple ways by which you can slow down this process of tarnishing.
Apart from the metals mentioned here, other metals don’t tarnish.
Why does Jewelry Tarnish?
Possibility of tarnishing of a jewelry depends on the presence of these metals in a jewelry piece.
- Silver
- Copper
If one of these or both (in case of sterling silver) are present in a jewelry item, it is going to tarnish with time. Common examples of metals which tarnish are sterling silver, copper, brass and bronze.
Both of these metals can react with water or atmospheric chemicals to make a thick dull layer over the shiny metal surface. This makes jewelry appear less shiny. Tarnishing is a natural process and you cannot avoid it. But there are certain methods which can help in reducing the speed of tarnishing.
Whenever silver tarnishes, it appears black. If you wear your silver jewelry on regular basis and does not save it from water damage, it can tarnish within 4 to 5 months. If you live near the coast or in coastal areas like Florida, this time will become more shorter.
Copper appears green when it is tarnished. It will tarnish quicker than silver. For copper, time period can be around 2 to 3 months which can be shorter in coastal areas.
Is Surgical Steel Good for Jewelry?
Yes, surgical steel is an excellent choice in a low budget category. Mostly, surgical steel is used in fashion or fast jewelry. It does not tarnish. Apart, it is completely hypoallergenic meaning it will never react with your skin. Sometimes, people with sensitive skin can get allergies with silver, nickel or copper based metals which can cause blisters etc. So, it is better to be safe than trying if you have a sensitive skin.
All of these features of surgical steel makes it an excellent choice for daily wearing.
Should You Use Surgical Steel
Surgical steel is a great option to have if you are finding jewelry under $50. It is not very expensive and can be used for a longer period of time due to its non-tarnishing properties. If you are tight on budget and don’t want customization options, then go for surgical steel. If you want more customization options, then you can look for other options like titanium.
Is Surgical Steel Waterproof?
In jewelry, a metal being termed as waterproof means that it cannot be damaged by water. Surgical steel is one of the few metals which cannot be damaged by water and are completely waterproof. You don’t have to remove your jewelry before coming into contact with water.
All you will need is occasional cleaning like once in a month to keep your jewelry’s shine intact.
Is Surgical Steel Stainless?
Yes, surgical steel is a type of stainless steel. In fact, it is the highest quality stainless steel being made for jewelry products. It will never show any signs of tarnishing or corrosion. So, you can wear it with ease and without any problems.
Actually it is called as surgical steel because it is the same steel composition by which surgical instruments are made. So, you can expect that it will have the properties which suit human skin.
Is Surgical Steel safe for Sensitive Skin?
Yes, surgical steel is the only type of stainless steel that is completely safe for sensitive skin people. Other stainless steel grades like 306 stainless steel are also good but they can cause skin problems occasionally if you have sensitive skin. If you dont have sensitive skin, all of the three types of stainless steel are good for you.
Other safe metals include titanium and tungsten.
Can You Shower with Surgical Steel Jewelry
Yes, you can shower with surgical steel jewelry. It can easily withstand water and does not get damaged. However, it is important to first confirm that the steel you are using is the surgical steel one because other stainless steel types can get minor damages with time.
Other than showering, you can also wash hands, do cleaning and laundering while wearing surgical steel jewelry. All you have to do is to save it from harsh chemicals like bleach and detergents. Yes, it is not expected to get any significant damage from it but these chemicals are not good for any kind of jewelry. So, don’t take risk.
Conclusion
Surgical steel is a great metal in a low budget category. It comes with excellent properties like non-tarnishing, non-corrosive, and non-reactive towards skin. Apart, it is also very affordable and readily available in the market. You can easily find a lot of different designs for rings, earrings etc. However, as it is a low budget option, customization options are generally not available. So, if customization is not your foremost buying decision, then it will be a great choice.