Stainless Steel FAQs
When the nickel layer is removed from the steel surface by a special process the end product is called stainless-steel. Stainless-steel does not corrode and is mostly anti-allergic. It is called 316L surgical steel as well due to its widespread use as medical implants.
Yes they are. However abrasion is possible if the jewellery undergoes rough treatment (i.e. has to sustain severe and/or repeated hits) as the top layer, prepared by an oxidation process, can crack and peel off. Therefore avoiding exposure to heavy impacts on the items is advised to prevent damage to the jewellery's surface.
In general, no. Stainless-steel is designed for strength and durability, with its high resistance to corrosion being one of its primary attributes, and nickel is a key element in the alloy that helps provide this. Although stainless-steel can be made without nickel, it is uncommon, and most stainless-steel will contain between 8% - 12% nickel (the higher the grade, on average the higher the nickel content).
No, it also contains nickel - in fact, stainless-steel can't be classed as a surgical grade without it. 'Surgical' steel is just a trade name for stainless-steel of particular grades (also known as 'marine grade' steel). The most common available 'surgical' grades are 316 and 316L. This grade of steel is designed to have the highest resistance to corrosion, therefore it also tends to have a higher nickel content (up to 12%).
Technically, stainless-steel can qualify as hypoallergenic (meaning: low risk of causing an allergic reaction), as although nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic reactions from jewellery, it is bonded to other elements in the alloy and generally won't leech on to the skin. However, some people with a high sensitivity to nickel can still have a reaction to stainless-steel, so I do not personally classify it as hypoallergenic..
We offer products in a range of different grades, but the most common is 304. We also have products in 202 and 316 grades - you'll find the grade for each item is listed in each product video description, so you can make an informed decision about the products.
Each grade of steel has differences between the elements used to make them. It's important to note that higher grades do not mean better quality, rather that each grade (or series, as there will generally be a range of grades within a particular series) is designed to be best suited for different uses and applications. 201 grade steel has a lower nickel and higher manganese content, it is also harder and stronger. 304 grade steel is a versatile and general purpose steel, and is widely used for many products - most of the items we currently sell are made with this grade. It will contain an average of 8% nickel and provides all of the most desired attributes for stainless-steel. 316 grade steel is very similar to 304, but molybdenum is added to increase the metal's resistance to corrosion, particularly due to salt water or chlorine exposure. This grade is often used for body jewellery since such items may be worn 24/7 in a variety of conditions.
Stainless-steel offers some of the best value for money available when it comes to jewellery, due to its strength, durability, and versatility. It is highly resistant to many issues that affect other base (or even precious) metals, such as tarnish and corrosion, and will last a lifetime if cared for (sometimes even if not!) The increasing popularity of stainless-steel jewellery means that the range of jewellery available is getting bigger and more diverse day by day.
Here are only a few, more important pros and cons to be aware of when deciding if stainless-steel jewellery is right for you.
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