Is stainless steel jewelry waterproof?
Back to ShopWe’ve all left cutlery soaking in the sink overnight when there’s a particularly tough stain to get rid of – or, you know, when we just can’t be bothered to do the washing up. The next morning, your knives and forks won’t have tarnished because they were submerged in water for 10 hours straight. In fact, they won’t have changed color at all. Why? That’s all thanks to a pretty indestructible material called stainless steel. And jewelry made from stainless steel is as waterproof as it gets.
Because stainless steel jewelry is more affordable than silver jewelry, there’s a stigma that it’s going to tarnish or change color more easily. But in reality, stainless steel is even more resistant to tarnishing than silver. While silver jewelry may tarnish and need cleaning, stainless steel is as low maintenance as jewelry gets.
Is stainless steel jewelry really waterproof?
Stainless steel jewelry is 100% waterproof. Wear it while swimming in lakes, swimming pools, and even the sea. Wear it in the sauna or during your super sweaty workout. Leave it exposed to air or out in the sun all day and it won’t come to any harm.
How to keep stainless steel jewelry in the best condition
Stainless steel jewelry is wonderfully low maintenance. But if you want your jewelry to have a bit of extra shine, simply give it a polish with a textile or paper cloth. This’ll get rid of any fingerprints or marks you might see on the surface.
While the benefit of choosing stainless steel jewelry is that it’s totally waterproof and super durable, steel can still bend or get damaged when it’s under a lot of pressure. Make sure your jewelry is stored well and treated with care so it can last a lifetime.
Stainless steel jewelry is as durable as it gets
There are two different grades of steel: 304 and 316L. At Maitea, we use the recycled version of 316L stainless steel. This material is durable, long-lasting, and 100% nickel-free, making it hypoallergenic and suitable for those with sensitive skin.
Fun fact: 316L steel is also known as marine steel because it’s just that good at resisting corrosion from chlorine. That means you can wear stainless steel jewelry in chlorine swimming pools with absolutely no worries. 316L steel is also way more resistant to salt than 304 steel, so you can spend beach days diving into the sea without thinking about taking off your jewelry first.
Gold jewelry lovers can also enjoy stainless steel jewelry
You’re probably used to stainless steel being a silver material – but when it comes to jewelry, coating stainless steel in gold is a great option to create durable, waterproof gold jewelry.
Maybe gold jewelry is your go-to, but you can’t afford to splash out 300€ for a pure gold ring. If you buy that same ring in gold-coated stainless steel, it’ll cost you only 15-40€ – and it won’t ever stop being gold even if you never take it off.
There’s a chemical-free way to make stainless steel jewelry turn gold
At Maitea, we turn stainless steel jewelry into gold jewelry through a PVD coating method. This works by attaching gold particles (from real bars of gold) to steel using extreme heat and pressure. The two materials fully combine, which is what makes the gold coating so durable and long-lasting.
PVD-coating isn’t only a great option for creating waterproof jewelry, but it also doesn’t produce harmful chemicals or waste. This means it’s great for creating safe working conditions in our factories and great for the environment.
If you’ve ever bought stainless steel jewelry that did change color, it was likely coated poorly. There are two common coating thicknesses in the industry: 0.03 and 0.08. At Maitea, we add a platinum coating to our jewelry, then follow up with a 0.08 coating of gold or rose gold. This extra layer makes the coating thicker and even more long-lasting.
Wondering how you should care for gold-coated stainless steel?
The same way you care for stainless steel jewelry! You don’t need to worry about taking off your gold stainless steel jewelry when swimming in lakes, swimming pools, or the sea – and you can go to the sauna or sweat in the gym to your heart’s delight. Just give it a polish with a textile or paper cloth if you want to give it some extra shine.
Stainless steel is the best waterproof option for jewelry you never want to take off
It’s no surprise that steel is used for everything from piercings to surgical equipment to bridges that can withstand thousands of kilograms of weight. It’s the perfect option for those looking for affordable jewelry without compromising on quality. All our stainless steel jewelry is sold with a two-year guarantee – but that’s just the start. We can bet you that with proper care, you’ll hold on to your stainless steel jewelry for life.