Stainless steel rings are becoming more and more popular in the world of jewelry, thanks to their excellent features, price and elegant style. So it is not surprising that, even today, they are an option to consider when it comes to rings or wedding bands. Considering that it is a metal resistant to corrosion, heat, it is difficult to scratch.
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Without a doubt a smart choice for daily use. However, there are pros and cons that you should weigh before slipping stainless steel rings through your fingers. So we have put together a short list of pros and cons for you.
What are stainless steel rings made of?
The stainless steel rings they are made of chrome, nickel and titanium. This is a rare alloy that is cheap but very durable, very utilitarian. However, originally this material was used for necklaces and earrings, especially on newly pierced ears. This is due to the extremely low rate of allergic reactions to the metal even though the steel still contains nickel.
Stainless steel rings: its pros
Low maintenance
It is corrosion, tarnish and scratch free. Stainless steel rings are incredibly durable, making them perfect for timeless wedding bands.
They are low maintenance and really easy to clean as you won’t need a special cleaning solution to care for your jewelry. Just use warm water, liquid soap and a little elbow grease and your stainless steel ring will be as good as new. Stainless steel rings can be cleaned once a day or several times a week. Well, the material is not damaged by overexposure to water.
Although stainless steel jewelry does not discolor or corrode, it does not require special care, but it can scratch other jewelry. You can put them in a bag or bag before putting them in the jewelry box. If you don’t have one, you can use a soft tissue paper or a small zippered pocket.
Stainless steel rings do not require rhodium plating. Rhodium is a hard metal that increases the scratch resistance of a jewelery item, but stainless steel is stronger and therefore doesn’t need it, saving time, money and energy.
Comfort
It is a light metal, so it is easy and comfortable to wear on your finger.
Environmentally friendly
It is the most environmentally friendly metal choice in the jewelry world. In the production process, the amount of energy used and waste produced is dramatically less than in the production of other jewelry metals. In addition, stainless steel is 100% recyclable.
Security
In an emergency situation, stainless steel rings can be cut with normal cutting equipment tools.
They are poor conductors of electricity. Stainless steel rings conduct up to 16v, while gold conducts up to 310v and silver is 429v for those who are concerned about getting electrical shocks from their ring.
Hypoallergenic
Stainless steel is an ideal hypoallergenic alloy for people allergic to precious metals. Therefore, if you are allergic to certain types of metals such as nickel, stainless steel rings are a more favorable option.
Durability
Stainless steel is a very strong metal. It has incredible strength and scratch resistance, making it ideal for people with occupations or hobbies to damage softer metals. If you are looking for accessories that resist scratches, dents and damage, the stainless steel ring is excellent.
Your stainless steel ring can retain its original shape and shine for a lifetime, no matter how much abuse your job, hobbies, or other activities require. Also, they are less likely to tarnish compared to other types of metal rings.
Worth
The price is significantly lower compared to gold, silver and platinum. In addition to high durability and resistance to scratches, corrosion and tarnishing, stainless steel rings are also very affordable. Because it is not a precious metal, like gold or silver, which makes stainless steel parts very cheap. Although these rings look platinum, they are priced the same as titanium and tungsten rings.
Also, despite being cheaper than other metals, stainless steel will still retain its beauty and shine. Which also allows you to shop for various styles and designs without worrying about your budget.
Stainless steel rings: cons
Availability
Stainless steel wedding bands come in limited styles and selections at this time, which hurts availability. Because they are sold primarily through online retailers, stainless steel wedding bands have limited in-store availability.
Maintenance
After years and years of wearing your stainless steel ring, the ring can lose its shine and shine and therefore may need a quick polish to restore your ring’s gleaming shine. This is nothing compared to gold (every 6 months) or silver (several times a year), to keep it in the same shiny condition.
The Achilles heel of stainless steel rings is chlorine. Since it is stainless steel it is very sensitive to chlorine, so any stainless steel ring must be removed before entering chlorinated water.
Ring resizing
Due to the durability of the metal, if the ring is not the correct size, then the chance of getting a perfect ring resizing can be difficult. This means that you must get the correct ring size before you buy your jewelry.
Stainless steel ring resizing cannot be done by hand and must be handled with specialized machines (such as a TIG welder or high power laser welder to accommodate the high melting point of stainless steel).
Without the specialized machinery required, the jeweler cannot do anything except advise on the different ways to wear the ring such as on a chain or as a necklace.