If you're looking for earrings, a ring or a necklace to wear every day, you've probably wondered: stainless steel or sterling silver? Both have their advantages. Here they are, plainly, so you can choose what suits you best.
What each one is
Sterling silver (925) is silver with 7.5% other metals, usually copper, to make it harder. It's a precious metal with a beautiful white shine.
Stainless steel is an alloy of iron and chromium, the same kind of metal used for watches and surgical instruments. It's very hard and doesn't rust.
Quick comparison
| Stainless steel | 925 silver | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | More affordable | More expensive |
| Does it turn black? | No | Yes, it darkens with air and moisture |
| Hardness | Very resistant to knocks and scratches | Softer, scratches and bends |
| Water | Copes with everyday life | Best kept dry |
| Care | Almost none | Needs cleaning often |
| Metal value | Low | Precious metal |
Which is better for allergies?
Both are tolerated far better than cheap-metal costume jewellery. Lots of people who can't wear "normal" earrings wear stainless steel or silver with no problem. If you have a diagnosed nickel allergy, ask us before buying and choose pieces that say so explicitly.
And the colour?
Silver has a very distinctive warm white. Silver-tone steel is a little cooler and brighter. Gold-tone steel gives you the look of gold at a costume-jewellery price, without it turning black.
So which should I choose?
- Choose silver if you want a precious-metal piece for special occasions and don't mind looking after it.
- Choose stainless steel if you want pieces to wear every day that won't go dark, can keep up with you and let you treat yourself often without spending much.
That's why at Entousias we mostly work with stainless steel: it's jewellery you put on in the morning and forget about. Have a look at our earrings, rings and necklaces, or come and try them on at our shop in the Gothic Quarter.
