Does Stainless Steel Rust Or Tarnish?

Stainless steel jewelry does not rust or tarnish.

Just like gold or platinum, stainless steel is safe to wear.

That’s why we see so many different stainless steel watch designs on the market.

However, “Does Stainless Steel Rust Or Tarnish?” is not the only question a savvy jewelry buyer would ask.

Luckily, we’ve got you covered with all answers to important questions related to stainless steel jewelry!

What is stainless steel?

Stainless steel is a general name used for a group of iron alloys which includes another chemical element chromium.

The chromium content significantly increases strength and rusting resistance making it ready for demanding harsh environment conditions.

Metals included in this group of alloys are aluminum, nitrogen, sulfur, titanium, nickel, copper and niobium, besides others.

Chromium works also averts corrosion by forming a protective outer layer on the steel surface.

Different types of stainless steel are widely used nowadays.

In households, kitchen appliances, factories, construction, military, biomedical and chemical plants, we can see an abundance of stainless steel pieces and machinery.

Surgical level 316L stainless steel is used is operations, and this type of jewelry is safe for the human body.

It is one of the the better choices for piercing like titanium.

This steel is also a good choice for jewelry.

It is hypoallergenic meaning very unlikely to cause any itching or allergies.

Another nice property of stainless steel is the ability to recycle it many times.

Steel is easily recycled.

Stainless steel metal parts are melted and used for the production new materials.

It is a very eco-friendly material and can be used many times.

Does stainless steel rust?

Stainless steel does not rust.

While stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, different steel alloys show various levels of performance.

The resistance is due to chromium in the alloys but the overall defiance of corrosion, is affected by its percentage and the presence of other metals.

When exposed to air, on the surface of stainless steel, chromium will go into oxidation and form chromium oxide.

These molecules will form a oxide layer covering the surface.

This protective layer will prevent corrosion and ensure a long life.

Does stainless steel tarnish like sterling silver jewelry?

Tarnish is the black sections that form on outer layers of metals.

These stem from oxidation with hydrogen sulfide and other sulfur compounds in air.

While sterling or 925 silver does, a stainless steel piece does not tarnish.

This one of the pros we see in the comparison stainless steel vs sterling silver.

Will stainless steel turn your finger green?

Stainless steel rings will not turn your finger or skin green like copper or brass jewelry.

Pick 316L type stainless steel for your jewelry.

Can you swim with stainless steel?

Stainless steel does not rust or corrode.

It does not react with sea water.

However, if you want to swim in a pool, you should be aware of chlorine.

This chemical may play badly with your jewelry.

How to clean stainless steel jewelry

Stainless steel pieces are very easy to clean with products already available at home.

There is no need to buy commercial cleaning solutions.

It suffices to have a soft cloth or soft tootbrush, mild soap and lukewarm water.

1. Pour some warm clean water in a bowl and add few drops of hand soap.
2. Dip the cloth into the bowl of soapy water and wipe your steel pieces.
3. After they are all clean and shiny, make sure there is no residues of soap left behind.
4. Dry your jewelry with a clean cloth or towel and let it dry completely.

This simple method will restore the luster back to your jewelry.

How to store stainless steel jewelry

Stainless steel is a hard and durable metal.

It is scratch resistant, but it can scratch softer materials like other jewelry in your jewelry box.

Gold and silver pieces have lower scores than stainless steel, which has an 8-8.5 rating on the Mohs scale of hardness.

This means that gold and sterling pieces should be kept away from steel jewelry.

You may keep them separate drawers or store each piece in a zip lock bag or soft cloth pouch until next use.

The Verdict

Stainless steel jewelry has many benefits.

However, there are many different stainless steel grades which have different properties.

For jewelry, we should focus on hypoallergenic surgical grade 316L type stainless steel for peace of mind.

It is durable and scratch resistant.

This hard alloy has a very high level of corrosion resistance.

Stainless steel will be one of the hardest pieces in your jewelry box.

This is why it may cause scratches on other pieces like gold jewelry.

So, it is always a good idea to keep steel pieces separate from softer ones.

A simple solution is to keep them in different chambers or soft pouches inside your jewelry armoire.

High-quality stainless steel does not tarnish like sterling silver.

It is not a precious metal: it is cheaper than gold, platinum or palladium.

You can also safely swim or go for a shower with your stainless steel pieces.

Stainless steel can get wet unlike brass, which might cause a color change on your skin.

It has high resistance to corrosion.  It does not rust.

It shows extreme endurance even in harsh conditions.

In the presence of oxygen in air, chromium will turn into chromium oxide on the outer parts of stainless steel.

This oxidation will form a protective layer blocking corrosion and rust.

Nevertheless, not all stainless steel metal pieces are the same.

Make sure you choose surgical level 316L stainless steel types of jewelry.

This class of steel is hypoallergenic: in other words, very unlikely to cause any undesired effects and ready to serve you for a long time.