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There are many materials that can be used for jewelry. In the market today, two very popular choices are zinc alloy and stainless steel.
Both of these materials have their pros and cons, so it is important to choose the right one for your next piece of jewelry.
Stainless steel is a popular material for jewelry due to its cool look, scratch resistance and corrosion-resistant properties.
However, zinc alloy is becoming more popular because of its lighter weight and cost saving benefits. Zinc alloy jewelry can also be decorated more easily, yet it may tarnish with time.
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What is zinc alloy jewelry?
Zinc is a chemical element with the atomic number 30 and the symbol Zn. It is a bluish-white, lustrous, diamagnetic metal.
Zinc is the twenty-fourth most common metal in the Earth’s crust. Common zinc ores are sphalerite, smithsonite (zinc carbonate), franklinite (zinc iron oxide), calamine and zincite. Zinc ores generally contain 5–15% zinc.
The color of zinc varies with the oxidation state of the mineral, from silver to bluish-white, to reddish brown.
Zinc is a soft metal on its own. Its hardness is 2.5 on the Mohs scale. Just like silver or gold alloys, it becomes harder with additional metals.
It has a density of 7.14 grams per cubic centimeter.
Zinc alloys are generally made of zinc, nickel, lead and copper. It is a sturdy metal that is often used in jewelry because it has corrosion resistance.
Zinc alloy jewelry is also less expensive than white gold, palladium or sterling silver, making it a popular choice for people on a budget.
Brass jewelry
Brass is a metal alloy composed of copper and zinc.
It has a bright yellow color and is often used to make musical instruments and jewelry.
It is also very strong and durable, making it a popular choice for these applications.
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German silver jewelry
German silver jewelry is made of an alloy that contains copper, zinc and nickel. It gets its name from the fact that it was originally manufactured in Germany. German silver is also sometimes called nickel silver.
The alloy is a white metal with a slight gray tinge. It is strong and durable, making it a popular choice for jewelry. German silver is also affordable, which contributes to its popularity.
While it is not actually silver, German silver does have the sterling look. It is tarnish resistant and doesn’t corrode easily. This makes it a good choice for jewelry that will be worn frequently.
Tibetan silver jewelry
Tibetan silver is a type of jewelry that is made from a metal alloy that contains copper, zinc, and sometimes nickel.
The name comes from the fact that the jewelry was first made in Tibet, but it is now made all over the world.
The alloy used to make Tibetan silver jewelry is called “Tibetan silver” because it is a trade name. It is not actually made in Tibet.
The most common color of Tibetan silver jewelry is silver, but it can also be gold, black, or other colors. The jewelry is often engraved or inlaid with designs. The piece may or may not contain silver.
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What is stainless steel jewelry?
When most people think of stainless steel, they think of the shiny silver metal that is used in appliances and cutlery. But steel is a metal alloy, it is not an element like gold or platinum.
The journey of steel starts with iron(Fe) alloyed with carbon(C). When we arrive at stainless steel alloys, these include chromium(Cr) in their metal content.
Stainless steel is a large group of iron alloys that contain about more than 10% chromium. The chromium content makes the steel resistant to rust and corrosion. Thanks to these elevated properties, steel alloys gain a very wide usage in many sectors.
These alloys are not the same. They have different properties for different purposes.
Stainless steel alloys can be divided into three main categories: austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic.
Austenitic steels are the most common type and are typically used in food processing equipment and kitchen utensils.
Ferritic steels are less common, but they are often used in automotive applications because they have good resistance to thermal fatigue.
Martensitic steels are the strongest type of stainless steel and are often used in surgical instruments and firearms.
In our case of jewelry and piercing, we’ll focus on 316L type stainless steel. This version is surgical grade steel that is used for surgery equipment.
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Pros and cons of zinc alloy vs stainless steel jewelry
1. Color
Zinc alloy has a cool look that can be gray or metallic, and it’s often used in jewelry because it’s hard and durable.
It comes in a variety of colors, including silver, gold, rose gold, and black. It has a sleek look that can come in many colors, including white.
Stainless steel jewelry has often the cool metal look similar to less shiny silver. Yet, there are brushed and polished steel pieces with IP-plating that have darker colors.
What is IP plating?
Ion plating is the technique of depositing a layer of atoms or particles onto a surface. The ions are accelerated in an electric field and collide with the surface, depositing their atoms or particles.
Ion plating is often used to deposit thin films of metal, but can also be used to deposit other materials, such as plastics, ceramics, and composites.
The advantage of ion plating over other techniques, such as sputtering or evaporation, is that it can produce very thin films with a very high deposition rate. This makes ion plating ideal for applications where a thin film is required, but thickness is not critical.
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2. Hardness
Different jewelry materials have different levels of hardness, meaning they can withstand different levels of wear and tear.
The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a scale that measures how resistant a mineral is to scratching.
On the Mohs scale, diamond is the hardest mineral with a rating of 10.
Other materials rank as follows: corundum (9), topaz (8), quartz (7), feldspar (6), calcite (5), fluorite (4), apatite (3.5-4), orthoclase feldspar (3), gypsum(2-2.5) and talc (1).
Zinc has a 2.5 on the Mohs scale, but its alloys become much harder. As there are many ingredients and mixing percentages, their hardness rating will vary.
The same goes for stainless steel alloys, as there are many versions.
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3. Hypoallergenic property
People with sensitive skin may experience unease from certain materials. Some metals are known to trigger allergic reactions.
Symptoms can include a rash, hives, and itching. The allergy is often caused by lead, copper or the main culprit nickel.
Nickel allergy is a condition that is seen frequently. It affects about %10 of people.
It occurs when a person is exposed to nickel, yet it does not trigger reactions immediately.
A sufficient level of absorption by the skin has to happen.
Symptoms of nickel allergy include redness, swelling, and itching. In some cases, a rash may develop.
Treatment for nickel allergy includes avoiding products that contain nickel and using topical medications to relieve symptoms.
If you observe any unexpected results from your jewelry, always consult a medical professional.
Only proceed after a personal examination and follow treatment under medical supervision.
People with sensitive skin may consider hypoallergenic metals safe because they are very unlikely to cause allergy.
Zero allergy can not be guaranteed because every person is different, and even a minority may have hypersensitivity to a very safe metal.
Hypoallergenic metals include but are not limited to gold, silver, titanium, palladium, platinum and rhodium.
We already shared that 316L grade steel is safe for stainless steel jewelry.
What about zinc alloys? You should make sure that your piece of jewelry does not include allergenic metals like nickel or lead.
Always prefer nickel-free zinc alloy jewelry to stay safe.
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4. Price
Neither zinc, iron, chrome nor copper are precious metals.
Thus, zinc alloy is a great choice if you’re looking for an affordable option. It’s also very popular, so you can find a lot of different pieces available in this material. However, it’s not as durable as stainless steel, so it may not be the best choice if you’re looking for something that will last.
Stainless steel is more expensive than zinc alloy, but it’s also much more durable.
If you’re looking for something that will last for a long time, then stainless steel is the better option. Don’t forget that brands and gems also affect price.
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Conclusion
When it comes to jewelry, there are a variety of materials to choose from. Two popular options are zinc alloy and stainless steel.
Both have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, so it can be difficult to decide which is right for you depending on factors you take into account.
Zinc alloy jewelry is made of a combination of metals, including zinc and copper. It is often used to make costume jewelry because it is inexpensive and can be made in a variety of colors.
It is durable and does not corrode, making it a good choice for jewelry.
Yet, it may tarnish like 925 silver. This means a little more care and maintenance than, say, stainless steel pieces.
Zinc alloy is often plated with gold or another hypoallergenic metal alloy. By this way, it gains the desired color, and it becomes safe for people with sensitive skin.
Zinc jewelry is also generally more affordable pieces than their steel counterparts.
Stainless steel is a general name for metals that are corrosion-resistant and do not rust. There are many alloys in this group specialized for different goals.
For jewelry, we prefer 316L type stainless steel which is used in surgery equipment. This version is safe for the human body. It is immune from tarnishing.
Steel alloys come in a variety of colors, including silver, gold, and rose gold.
These pieces have a more cool look in their natural gray color.
Stainless steel is a better choice for some items, such as bracelets and necklaces, because it doesn’t corrode, and it’s stronger than zinc alloy.
Which material you choose will likely come down to personal preference. Both are popular metals used by the jewelry industry.
Some people prefer stainless steel jewelry because it does not tarnish like zinc alloy jewelry. However, others prefer the look of zinc alloy jewelry, which can come in many colors. Zinc alloy jewelry is also softer than stainless steel, so it is behind in durability.
If you want the cool steel look, stick to 316L type stainless steel pieces.
If you want zinc alloy jewelry, don’t forget to prefer nickel-free pieces to play on the safe side.