Jewelry has always fascinated people. Since ancient times people have collected jewelry either because they found it aesthetically pleasing or because they wanted to add a charm to their look. Jewelry always enhances the look of the person wearing it. No wonder so many people are into buying wholesale jewelry due to the rising demand from customers. The popularity of statement jewelry is growing rapidly and people are looking for trendy jewelry to make a fashion statement.
This affection for jewelry has given birth to new trends in the field of jewelry making. New designs are evolving. Moreover, there is a subtle shift from the use of only traditional materials for jewelry making to the incorporation of some non-traditional materials to create unique pieces. The evergreen trio that is gold, silver and platinum still led the jewelry making field with an iron fist. Although other materials like stainless steel and titanium are quick to jump on the bandwagon of statement jewelry making. Unique designs and attractive prices are creating an opening for these newbie metals and not surprisingly, people are welcoming them with open arms.
Stainless Steel
Iron, which the parent metal for steel is prone to get rusted easily but it, takes a lot for stainless steel to get corroded. It is an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium and some other metals in trace amounts so it is really strong and highly resistant to corrosion. The process called passivation is responsible for making steel less reactive. As a result of which, the process of oxidation on exposure to the environment is retarded. Chromium in stainless steel forms a layer of chromium oxide on oxidation which protects it from rust formation.
Formation of this chromium oxide layer is an essential step as it not only prevents the formation of rust but also protects the metal from staining and discoloration. This protective layer does not form in the absence of sufficient oxygen. Because of this reason, certain types of stainless steel jewelry are not suitable for the body piercings.
What Are The Different Types Of Stainless Steel Jewelry?
Different types of steel are used for various purposes ranging from architectural and industrial use to decorative use. They contain chromium, which is responsible for giving it its resistance property and nickel is also present in some amount. The group of alloy that is used for making stainless steel jewelry is 316L Steel. The specialty of this alloy is its high concentration of chromium. Fewer amounts of carbon and nickel are present in this type of stainless steel. 316LVM and 317L are also used by some jewelry makers for the fabrication of priceless pieces.
The types of stainless steel used for jewelry making are as follows.
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302L stainless steel is of industrial grade. It has a high concentration of nickel which is why it is not the preferred alloy for making body piercings.
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316L and 316LVM are the types of alloys that are most widely used for making stainless steel jewelries. They can also be used for making body piercings.
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317L is also used for making jewelry but it is not as popular as 316L or 316LVM.
Popularity of Stainless Steel Jewelry
Stainless steel is still a new addition to jewelry making. Jewelry made from stainless steel can undergo a process called adonization to produce various rich and glossy rainbow colors. Black, pink and gold are some of the colors they are available in.
This jewelry is more popular among men in comparison to women because the heavy industrial use of steel has given it the cachet of a masculine metal. Plus, it does appeal to the bulky designs that is typical of men’s jewelry. Men’s wedding rings made from stainless steel are very popular. Other popular designs include hearts, military-style dog tags, and ID bracelets. Women’s jewelry is more delicate looking with fine details. Although resizing stainless steel is not easy so it is difficult to adjust the fitting. Hence it is important to choose the correct size of stainless steel.
Stainless steel is quite similar in appearance to white gold and platinum so heavy jewelry like Figaro bracelets can use stainless steel instead of platinum and white gold. This makes stainless steel a really affordable choice for making statement pieces. Many people buy stainless steel jewelry at wholesale prices.
Benefits of Using Stainless Steel Jewelry
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Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, making it an excellent choice for jewelry because of its durability. Such jewelries can withstand the pressure of daily use so wedding bands made from stainless steel can last for years. The nickel mixed in the alloy is not very reactive to the skin, thus making it a stylish and affordable option to people who fear staining of skin from metal jewelries. It is especially an ideal gift choice for swimmers or other aquatic sports persons because steel doesn’t react much with water.
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They are a lot cheaper in comparison to their gold and silver counterparts. Hence, when you buy wholesale jewelry, you are saving a lot of money. The added bonus is that, since they are cheaper, you can buy a lot of different designs. Experimenting with different styles is now a lot easier with stainless steel wholesale jewelry.
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Stainless steel would rarely get tarnished so it requires relatively lower maintenance. Although it does need the occasional cleaning with a polishing cloth or ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, stainless steel can maintain its brand new appearance for a long time.
Comparison of Stainless Steel Jewelry with Titanium and Silver
Titanium and stainless steel exhibit almost similar properties but Titanium is a denser metal and more substantial. Economically speaking, jewelries made from stainless steel are cheaper. Titanium can get scratched easily compared to stainless steel that is mostly scratch-resistant so you do not require routine polishing with stainless steel.
Silver has the disadvantage of getting tarnished easily so it must be worn frequently. Stainless steel can retain its new appearance even after months of no use.
P&K Jewelry is your one stop shop online destination, if you want to buy stainless steel jewelry at wholesale prices. They have an interesting range of stainless steel accessories that would make for a really tasteful gift. At P&K Jewelry, you would find a lot of designer stainless steel jewelry that is up for grabs and fit for those who love to keep up with the trends. Whether it is rings, necklaces, bracelets or other stainless steel accessories that you are searching for, you would find them at affordable prices.
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