Earthly TasteSince ancient times, gold and silver have dominated the jewellery world, but while they’re still coveted materials, there’s another brilliant resource for making stunning, and arguably superior jewellery – stainless steel.
This might seem a surprise since you’re more used to finding stainless steel in manufacturing or your kitchen utensil drawer, but this delightful alloy is also used to make some really gorgeous jewellery. And besides being just as beautiful, stainless steel actually has a lot of other advantages over gold and silver that perhaps will inspire you to make a change when it comes to how you accessorise.
To begin with, let’s explain what stainless steel actually is. Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon, but what makes it rustproof is the addition of chromium. Additional elements, such as nickel or titanium, are also added to this alloy to provide other useful properties. Typically, stainless steel will have around 11% chromium and the additional alloys are chosen depending on what properties are desired for the material’s final use.
Stainless steel, even the types containing nickel, is hypoallergenic, so for people with skin sensitivities, it is a perfect choice – especially for earrings. Stainless steel is also incredibly durable, particularly the titanium alloys. It’s much sturdier than its gold or silver counterparts, which can easily bend out of shape when worn frequently.
You might think this would make stainless steel a heavy metal, but it’s actually 4 times lighter than gold, making it perfectly comfortable to wear. As already mentioned, it doesn’t rust – it has great resistance to oxidation and staining, unlike a lot of traditional jewellery, so it’s very low maintenance and won’t lose its lustre for a very long time.
Not only does stainless steel not tarnish or scratch, but it won’t leave any dark discolouration on your skin. This jewellery alternative is also the most environmentally friendly, with far less energy required during the manufacturing process, with far less waste produced at the end – and it’s 100% recyclable.
A consideration many people might not have when buying jewellery is health and safety, but stainless steel conducts far less electricity so you can avoid any potentially nasty electric shocks. Additionally, in case of any accidents, stainless steel can be cut off with regular household cutting tools without incurring too much damage.
Because gold and silver are so soft, typically you need a high-speed steel ring cutter to remove a ring or bracelet in a way that won’t permanently damage them. Plus, unlike gold or silver, stainless steel jewellery is a much cheaper option.
With so much going for it, you should check out Slide Jewels as your perfect introduction to stainless steel jewellery. With 18K gold plating, their pieces are indistinguishable from gold and even come delivered in eco-friendly packaging. Slide jewels include rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings in elegant designs that will make a chic addition to your jewellery collection. Slide sources the best quality materials and works with top craftsmen to create a unique bijouterie.
For those of you that constantly crave variety and new additions to your beauty arsenal, Slide Jewels even offer a monthly subscription, sending you a fun selection of new, beautiful items to reinvent your style or layer with your existing pieces to create statement looks.
So if you’re looking to switch over to a more eco-friendly, versatile, affordable and longer-lasting alternative to luxury jewellery, try out Slide Jewel’s stainless steel collection and upgrade your wardrobe with some of their striking accessories that are both bold and elegant, easily complementing a wide variety of fashion trends, so you can accent whatever outfit you feel like with eye-catching, yet perfectly understated pieces.