Choosing accessories to wear with your daily outfit is easy when you’ve got a great jewellery collection.
You have hundreds of choices when it comes to accessories. In fact, some of the most popular accessories are bracelets, rings and necklaces.
When you're choosing a specific piece of jewellery, choosing the stainless steel or sterling silver is a matter of preference. While they may look quite similar in appearance, you soon discover that they are vastly different from one another in terms of durability and cost.
In this blog, we're going to explore both stainless steel and sterling silver. That way, you can make an informed decision to suit your needs. You can also make a choice based on the best representation of your style.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is made of chromium and steel, or variations of it. There are roughly 150 variations of the metal, most commonly steel and chromium combined. There are a few different metals that are used for stainless steel. One of them is chromium. The other one is nickel, or titanium.
Over time, it's become a rather popular choice for the likes of cutlery, jewellery, and even surgical equipment. This material retains a high level of reflectivity after polishing, giving it a high level of shining.
A key factor of stainless steel's popularity is versatility. It can be used to mimic the way pewter or chrome looks. It's also highly durable, much stronger and has great scratch resistance. This is why it's generally the ideal option for daily use.
Sterling Silver
Pure silver, when exposed to air and water, tarnishes into a dark grey colour that eventually becomes black; however, alloying other metals with it can strengthen it and resist corrosion. When used in jewellery, silver is often alloyed with copper, zinc, nickel and platinum. Silver has been used as currency for centuries, as well as in industrial applications, household items and even clothes.
Pure silver is vulnerable to bending and snagging. This makes it impractical for creating jewellery. Sterling silver is a compound of silver and copper that overcomes the weaknesses of pure silver, creating a metal that is both beautiful and durable.
Sterling silver jewellery often has .925 stamped on it. Aside from jewellery, it's used in musical instruments and cutlery.
Differences
Stainless steel and sterling silver are both alloy metals, meaning they are a combination of several other metals. While stainless steel and sterling silver have many similarities, they also have differences. For example, stainless steel is much more durable than sterling silver because it is made up of several different metals, enabling it to withstand the constant wear and tear of everyday use.
Furthermore, each type of alloy metal offers unique properties, making alloy metal jewellery perfect for daily use.
Conclusion
Sterling silver is a more durable choice for jewellery with a look that will remain fashionable over time. This makes it ideal for everyday use, such as necklaces and earrings. On the other hand, if you want something more modern, then stainless steel is the better option.
In need of mens sterling silver jewellery? Shop at Rawninety today! We’ve got a bespoke collection of women’s and men’s accessories including necklaces, pendants, cuffs and 925 sterling silver rings.