Everything you need to know about
Materials
There are, of course, many different materials in the jewelry world. Find the one that suits you best here! If you have any questions after reading this, you can ask them in the live chat or send an email to studiomieks@gmail.com.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is made of an alloy of iron, chromium, nickel, and carbon. Its main component is iron. The chromium layer protects the iron from discoloration and oxidation.
Jewelry often uses grades 316(L) or 304. Both types contain nickel, which may sound strange, as stainless steel is often labeled hypoallergenic (allergy-free). Fortunately, it contains such a low percentage of nickel that it's virtually impossible to have an allergic reaction. Did you know, by the way, that stainless steel is recyclable? It can be melted down and reused without losing any quality!
Good to know:
Stainless steel is naturally somewhat darker in color. This is clearly visible when you compare sterling silver to stainless steel. Gold-colored jewelry made of stainless steel is plating, which creates a layer of gold over the stainless steel. Stainless steel uses a thicker, high-quality plating. The gold plating also adheres incredibly well to the base material (stainless steel). This ensures a long lifespan, provided you take good care of your jewelry. The gold plating is also often darker/warmer in color than real gold or chemical plating.
At StudioMieks, we use only 316L stainless steel. This grade consists of 17% chrome, 12% nickel, and 2% molybdenum. The remainder is iron. The combination of molybdenum and nickel makes it more corrosion-resistant than the 304 version. 316L stainless steel is resistant to saltwater, but you still need to be careful with chlorine.
We advise you to remove stainless steel jewelry in the pool. You should be even more careful with gold-plated jewelry. It's a great alternative to real gold, thanks to its longevity and affordability. However, it's best to be careful with things like hand sanitizer.
Sterling Silver
Silver jewelry comes with various markings. The most common is 925 Sterling Silver, which indicates the percentage of real silver used. In this case, 925 represents 92.5% real silver, with the remainder (7.5%) being another metal, often copper. This other metal is added for strength. 999 silver is 99.9% real silver and is far too soft for jewelry. The only drawback of silver jewelry is that it can often discolor due to weather conditions or, for example, your skin's pH. The jewelry can then darken or even turn black. Don't worry! With a little silver polish, your jewelry will be as good as new.
