When it comes to men’s jewelry, the material it’s made from makes all the difference in terms of quality, appearance, and durability.
Two common materials used to make men’s jewelry are stainless steel and sterling silver. Whether they’re crafted into Rope chains, Franco chains, Cuban link chains, or something else, these two metals look similar. Yet that’s pretty much where the similarity ends.
Sterling silver and stainless steel have different characteristics. You may be wondering if one is better than the other, because selecting and buying jewelry is such a personal experience. That’s why we’ve written this article: to help you figure out if stainless steel or sterling silver jewelry best meets your needs.
Ready to learn more? Let’s start with a closer look at what stainless steel and sterling silver actually are.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel, like other kinds of steel, is made primarily from iron and carbon. It includes a unique addition: chromium and other alloying elements, such as nickel. These form a layer that protects stainless steel from scratches and from oxidizing, tarnishing and rusting. This is resistance to blemish (compared to plain steel) is why the metal is called “stainless” steel. It’s a hard material.
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling silver is a precious metal, whose typical composition is 92.5 per cent pure silver and 7.5 per cent copper alloy. Sterling silver jewelry often has .925 stamped on it, to indicate its composition as sterling silver. It’s a soft and malleable material.
Why the metal is called “sterling” silver is uncertain. One theory is that the term comes from the Old English word steorling (“coin with a star”), since some Norman pennies had small stars on them.
Stainless Steel vs Sterling Silver
Stainless steel jewelry, as the name implies, refers to jewelry made with stainless steel, while jewelry made from silver is referred to as sterling silver jewelry. We’ll compare the two now, with a focus on durability, maintenance, appearance, hypoallergenic properties, cost and value, and environmental impact.
Is Sterling Silver More Durable Than Stainless Steel?
We already mentioned stainless steel is durable, and resistant to scratches, rusting, tarnishing, and corrosion/oxidizing. It’s a great choice for everyday wear, because its durability gives it a longer lifespan than sterling silver. You can even bathe and swim while wearing stainless steel jewelry, because no amount of moisture or humidity can damage it.
Yet, this durability, and because stainless steel is a harder material, makes it more challenging to repair. It’s less malleable than other metals. It’s also heavier than sterling silver, due to its density.
Sterling silver is lightweight and softer than stainless steel, so it’s easier to repair and adjust. This feature also allows sterling silver to be crafted into jewelry that showcases more intricate designs.
While its softness also makes sterling silver more susceptible to dents, scratches, and other damage, it’s often alloyed with other metals, like zinc, copper, and even platinum, to increase its durability.
Which is Easier to Maintain: Stainless Steel or Sterling Silver Jewelry?
To keep your jewelry looking its best, you need to clean and polish it on a regular basis. Thankfully, these tasks are easy to do when it comes to stainless steel and sterling silver jewelry.
How often you should clean stainless steel jewelry depends on how often you wear it. It can start to look dull after a period of time, but you should clean it right away if it’s been exposed to dirt, grease, or harsh chemicals, such as chlorine bleach. All you need is a soft cloth and a little liquid detergent.
Sterling silver jewelry that is worn regularly should be cleaned every other month. It’s more prone to fading and tarnishing than stainless steel jewelry, but you can maintain its appearance by applying silver polish to it with a soft cloth.
What Are the Visual Differences Between Stainless Steel and Sterling Silver?
We’ve all probably heard of jewelry being referred to as “bling.” Its shine and sparkle is part of its appeal, after all. Both stainless steel and sterling silver tick that box, albeit differently.
Compared to platinum and white gold, stainless steel bears a darker gray color, and it’s less shiny in appearance than sterling silver. But give it a good polish, and it reflects light rather beautifully.
Sterling silver gives off a much more luxurious feel, with luster, a high polish, and bright white appearance.
Hypoallergenic Properties: Of Sterling Silver Vs Stainless
Does your skin itch, burn or turn red after you wear jewelry? Then you might be allergic to the material it’s made from. This doesn’t mean you have to give up wearing jewelry altogether, though, not when you have stainless steel jewelry.
Stainless steel is hypoallergenic, because it’s typically made with less nickel (a common skin allergen) and more chromium. So, people with sensitive skin can still express themselves through wearing jewelry.
Alloys in sterling silver, however, can irritate sensitive skin. This means sterling silver is less hypoallergenic than stainless steel.
The good news is, nickel-free sterling silver is a great hypoallergenic option. In addition, some .925 sterling silver jewelry may be coated with materials, like rhodium, to boost its shine and durability. These coatings can serve as an extra layer of protection against potential allergens in the original material.
Is Sterling Silver More Valuable Than Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is affordable. It’s not a rare or precious metal, which puts it well within the budget of many consumers. The downside of this benefit, however, is that it has no value; i.e., stainless steel jewelry isn’t an investment that appreciates over time.
Sterling silver also offers affordability, compared to gold and platinum. Yet it has a higher value than stainless steel because it’s a precious metal, and because the labor and craftsmanship needed to turn it into jewelry is much greater than with stainless steel.
Checkout out our video showing these two chain styles side-by-side:
Stainless Steel vs Sterling Silver Men’s Jewelry: Pros and Cons
Below, we summarize the pros and cons of stainless steel and sterling silver jewelry, so you have a quick reference.
Pros of Stainless Steel Men’s Jewelry
Durability (resistant to scratches, rusting, tarnishing, and corrosion/oxidizing)
- Hard material
- Reflects light well when polished
- More affordable compared to sterling silver
- Ideal for daily wear
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Hypoallergenic
Cons of Stainless Steel Men’s Jewelry
Challenging to repair when damaged
- Has a darker gray color, which may not appeal to some people
- No value
Pros of Sterling Silver Men’s Jewelry
- Higher value (it’s a precious metal)
- Lightweight
- Malleable (easy to repair and adjust)
- Easy to create customized, intricate designs with it, so it can make a great heirloom piece, for example
- Easy to clean
- Provides a luxurious look
- Hypoallergenic options are available
Cons of Sterling Silver Men’s Jewelry
- More prone to damage and tarnish
- Tends to cost more than stainless steel
Stainless Steel or Sterling Silver Men’s Jewelry: Which One to Choose?
By now, you should have a better understanding of the pros, cons, similarities and differences between stainless steel jewelry and sterling silver jewelry.
Ultimately, the choice of sterling silver or stainless steel men’s jewelry comes down to your needs, budget, and preferences.
If you want something affordable that won’t scratch or tarnish, can be worn every day, and lasts a lifetime, then stainless steel may be your better option.
However, if you want a unique piece that appreciates in value and is made of a material that’s considered to be elegant and luxurious, then sterling silver could be your right choice.
You can find stainless steel and sterling silver men’s jewelry at various jewelry stores, artisan marketplaces, and through online shops. While you’re shopping, make sure you’re receiving authentic stainless steel or sterling silver by buying from reputable sources, checking certifications, and looking for the .925 stamp on sterling silver pieces.
You can also visit Luke Zion Jewelry. We carry a wide selection of bracelets and chains for men in sterling silver, including popular sterling silver chain designs like the Cuban link chain, Rope chain, and Franco chain. Pick out a favorite at our online shop.