Is stainless steel jewelry waterproof?

We've all left cutlery soaking in the sink overnight when it's particularly dirty—or when we simply didn't feel like washing up. The next morning, your cutlery won't have tarnished from soaking for 10 hours. In fact, its color won't have changed at all. Why? Thanks to a virtually indestructible material called stainless steel. And stainless steel jewelry is about as waterproof as you can get.

Because stainless steel jewelry is less expensive than silver jewelry, many people think it tarnishes or loses its color more quickly. But actually, stainless steel is even more resistant to tarnishing than silver. While silver jewelry can tarnish and needs cleaning, stainless steel is the easiest-care jewelry available.

Is stainless steel jewelry truly waterproof?

Stainless steel jewelry is 100% waterproof. Wear it while swimming in a lake, pool, or even the sea. Wear it in the sauna or during your sweaty workout. Leave it out in the air and sun all day. It can withstand anything.

How can I best care for stainless steel jewelry?

Stainless steel jewelry is incredibly easy to care for. However, if you'd like your jewelry to shine even more, simply polish it with a cloth or paper towel. This will remove fingerprints and smudges from the surface.

While stainless steel jewelry is advantageous because it's completely waterproof and extremely durable, steel can still bend or be damaged under strong pressure. Take good care of your jewelry and handle it gently so it lasts a lifetime.

Stainless steel jewelry is as durable as it gets.

There are two different types of stainless steel: 304 and 316L. At Maitea, we use recycled 316L steel. This material is durable and 100% nickel-free, making stainless steel jewelry hypoallergenic and therefore suitable for people with allergies.

Fun fact : 316L stainless steel is also known as marine-grade steel because it's highly resistant to chlorine corrosion. This means you can wear stainless steel jewelry in chlorinated swimming pools without worry. 316L stainless steel is also much more durable than 304 stainless steel, so you can confidently jump into the ocean on beach days without having to remember to take your jewelry off first.

Gold jewelry lovers can also enjoy stainless steel jewelry.

You're probably used to stainless steel being a silver-colored material – but when it comes to jewelry, coating stainless steel with gold is a great way to create durable, waterproof gold jewelry.

Perhaps you love gold jewelry but can't afford a pure gold ring for €300. If you buy the same ring in gold-plated stainless steel, it only costs €15 to €40 – and it will stay gold even if you never take it off.

There is a chemical-free method to make stainless steel jewelry gold-colored.

At Maitea, we transform stainless steel jewelry into gold jewelry using a PVD coating process. In this process, gold particles (from genuine gold bars) are applied to the steel using extreme heat and pressure. The two materials bond completely together, making the gold coating exceptionally robust and durable.

PVD coating is not only a great way to create waterproof jewelry, but it also produces no harmful chemicals or waste. This means it creates safe working conditions in our factories and is also good for the environment.

If you've ever bought stainless steel jewelry that changed color, it was probably poorly plated. In our industry, there are two common plating thicknesses: 0.03 mm and 0.08 mm. At Maitea, we coat our jewelry with a platinum layer followed by a 0.08 mm thick layer of gold or rose gold. This makes the plating thicker and more durable.

Are you wondering how best to care for gold-plated stainless steel jewelry?

Just like non-gold-plated stainless steel jewelry! You don't have to worry about taking your jewelry off before swimming in a lake, pool, or the sea. You can also go to the sauna or gym as often as you like. Simply polish the jewelry a little with a cloth or paper towel if you want it to shine a bit more.

Stainless steel jewelry is the best option for waterproof jewelry that you'll never want to take off.

It's no surprise that steel is used for everything from piercings and surgical instruments to bridges that have to support tons of weight. It's the perfect option for people looking for affordable jewelry without sacrificing quality. All our stainless steel jewelry comes with a two-year warranty—but that's just the beginning. We bet that with proper care, your stainless steel jewelry will last a lifetime.