Will Stainless Steel Jewelry Tarnish
No, stainless steel jewelry will not tarnish. Main reason behind this is the hard protective chromium coating that never allows stainless steel to react with outer chemicals. Due to the same reason, stainless steel does not scratch easily as well. This makes it one of the most durable metals being used in jewelry. In this article we’ll cover will stainless steel jewelry tarnish and all around it.
Why Stainless Steel Does not Tarnish
Tarnishing is caused by the presence of copper in any metal. It is present in metals like sterling silver, brass and bronze. So, all of these metals can tarnish. Stainless steel does not have any copper content. This makes it a non-tarnishing metal.
Stainless steel comes with a hard shiny protective coating of chromium oxide which saves the metal beneath the layer from any extra damages or chemicals. This coating is very strong and does not come off easily. That’s why stainless steel tarnish.
Can Stainless Steel get Damaged in any Situation?
Normally, stainless steel does not get damaged easily. However, it can get damaged if the outer chromium coating gets damaged somehow. Any brutal scratching or contact with a harsh chemicals like bleach can bring it. So, it is really important to save your jewelry from any kind of such damage.
What Things can Damage Stainless Steel?
Here are most important things that can damage stainless steel.
1. Contact with Harsh Chemicals
Harsh chemicals like bleach, detergents and acids are extremely harmful for your jewelry. These chemicals are very reactive and can instantly react with outer layer of stainless steel. Mostly, these chemicals are households and are used in every house. Coming in contact with these chemicals will not only make your jewelry appear bad bad but will also make it unwearable.
2. Contact with Chlorinated Water
Chlorine is a reactive chemicals that can damage any kind of jewelry. Some metals can take hard hit while some can withstand damage. Stainless steel can also be damaged by chlorine. It is used in the water of swimming pools. Whenever you swim while wearing your jewelry, it will damage it very easily. Similar can happen with salt water.
3. Scratches
Physical damages like falling and scratches can also damage your jewelry. Sometimes we don’t take care of our jewelry and it often falls on floor. This damage accumulates over time on regular falling incidents and becomes a significant damage. This can also happen if you do tasks that require use of force like gym training etc. The best way to avoid this kind of damage is to not playing with jewelry and storing it in a proper place after using.
4. Cleaning with Abrasive Cloth
Although stainless steel is a tough metal that can withstand scratches very well, it is important to not clean it with any abrasive cloths. Normally, people often forget these precautions and start clean their jewelry with any cloth they find. This can really damage the shine and look of your jewelry. You have to consider that jewelry is delicate. Abrasive chemicals or clothes should be avoided for cleaning and a soft cloth like velvet is recommended.
Are all Stainless Steel Alloys Equal?
No, not all stainless steel alloys are equal. Some can resist better against damages like chemicals than others.
Commonly used stainless steel alloys are 306 L, 306 and 316. Among these, 306 L is the safest and most durable. It is also known as surgical steel.
How to Save Stainless Steel from Damage
Here are the precautions which you can take to save your jewelry from damage.
- Use proper storage boxes for storing your stainless steel jewelry.
- Never place jewelry in wash basins or on kitchen sinks. Use Jewelry racks.
- Use moisture absorbing bags or strips in storage box.
- Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, detergents and chlorine. Its better
- Avoid wearing jewelry while swimming in a swimming pool or sea.
- Don’t play with your jewelry in order to avoid falling or getting scratched.
Pros of Stainless Steel Jewelry
Stainless steel has many pros over other metals used in jewelry.
1. Affordable
Stainless steel is one of the most affordable metals out there. Where a simple ring made of white gold can cost you around $200, stainless steel ring will cost as low as $25. Almost anyone can buy jewelry made in stainless steel. This makes it an excellent choice for people who want a low budget option.
2. Premium White Looks
Accept it or not, most of the people like white metals in jewelry. Generally, white metals are considered as very expensive i.e. white gold, platinum and rhodium etc. Stainless steel can be a good choice in low budget category with white lustrous looks.
Another benefit that stainless steel has is the longevity of its white appearance. It will remain shiny and white for a long time where you will have to do less frequent polishing and buffing.
3. Durable
Stainless steel has a very durable chromium coating that fights very well against damages like scuffs, dents and even scratches. Common incidents where your metal might get some damage can be falling or scratching. When compared with premium metals like gold, stainless steel is very durable and long-lasting. If you are one who has a very rough daily routine including a number of tasks involving hands, then stainless steel is the perfect choice for you.
4. Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic metals are very hard to be found in fashion jewelry. Normally, it has metals like copper and nickel that are highly non-hypoallergenic ones. They can quickly react with skin and bring problems like allergies.
On the other hand, stainless steel is a hypoallergenic metal that can be used by people with all types of skin. It does not react with the skin under most circumstances. Apart, surgical steel is often recommended to first time piercers for its skin friendly nature.
5. Low Maintenance
Stainless steel is a low maintenance demanding metal. As it is scratch resistant than other metals, less care is required. This can be a great feature if you are someone who cant take care of their jewelry very often. If you buy stainless steel jewelry, you are expected to spend less time in maintenance and cleaning. Cleaning your jewelry once a month is a good practice. All you will need for this is the a bowl of warm water, a gentle soap and a clean soft cloth.
Common FAQ’s Stainless Steel Tarnishing
Here are some common FAQ’s about stainless steel tarnishing.
Can Stainless Steel Rust?
Yes, it can rust if outer chromium coating gets damaged.
Can Stainless Steel tarnish if Chromium coating gets damaged?
No, it will not tarnish even if chromium coating gets damaged as it does not contain any copper.
How often should I clean my stainless steel jewelry?
It depends on the way you use it. If you use it regularly, then clean it at least once a month. If you wear it occasionally, then clean it once you start seeing dirt.
Conclusion
Stainless steel is one of those few metals that do not tarnish. It contains a highly durable chromium coating that protects it from any kind of external damage. Moreover, it also resists great against scratches and corrosion. There are some areas where even stainless steel can also get damaged, Those are use of harsh chemicals, physical damage and chlorinated water. So, it is really important to protect it from getting damaged from any of these damage causing agents.