You forget to take your rings off in the shower, your necklace fades after a summer at the beach, your earrings irritate your ears. You shouldn't have to babysit your jewellery, which is why we love stainless steel. You don't have to worry about taking it off, even at the beach. Just give it a quick rinse after sunscreen or fake tan.

What Is Stainless Steel Jewellery?

Stainless steel jewellery is made from an alloy containing chromium, which forms an invisible protective layer. That's why it resists rust and water. We use 304 and 316L grade stainless steel. 316L is surgical grade, which is slightly higher quality and even better for sweat, water and sensitive skin.

Is Stainless Steel Jewellery Waterproof?

Can You Shower With Stainless Steel Jewellery?

Yes, you can! Plain water and showering are fine with stainless steel. For it to last even longer, I would recommend taking your rings off on hair wash days, as some shampoos can be harsh.

Can You Swim in It?

Yes, you can! This is why we love stainless steel: you don't have to worry about it in the pool or the ocean, so you can wear your favourite stacks all summer long. The pool is slightly harsher than the beach, so we recommend rinsing your pieces afterwards, which happens when you shower anyway.

Can You Wear It to the Gym?

Yes! Sweat doesn't affect stainless steel the way it affects plated brass, so it's sweatproof. Stainless steel itself is super durable, but we'd recommend taking gold rings off for heavy lifting, as gripping weights can scratch the finish.

Does Gold Stainless Steel Fade?

This is the question we get asked the most, and it's a fair one. No one wants their gold necklace turning silver after a few months! The short answer is that good-quality gold stainless steel lasts a long time, but how long comes down to how the gold is applied.

PVD vs Electroplating

There are two main ways to put gold onto stainless steel:

• Electroplating dips the jewellery into a liquid gold solution and uses an electric current to coat it. It's quick and cheap, but the gold sits on the surface like a thin layer of paint, so it can wear off faster, especially with water, sweat and friction.
• PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) happens in a vacuum chamber, where the gold is turned into vapour and bonded to the steel. It creates a much harder, more durable finish that holds up far better against water, sweat and everyday wear.

Most of our gold pieces are PVD coated, because we want your jewellery to keep up with real life.

How Long Does Gold Stainless Steel Last?

With the right care, PVD gold stainless steel can keep its colour for years. We have customers who've worn theirs for 4+ years and it still looks perfect. That said, no gold coating lasts forever. Pieces that rub against things the most, like rings and bracelets, will naturally show wear first. Chlorine, perfume and harsh chemicals can also speed things up.

To keep your gold looking its best:

• Rinse your pieces after swimming in the pool or ocean.
• Spray perfume before putting your jewellery on.
• Avoid harsh cleaners and abrasive cloths. Warm soapy water is all you need.

All our pieces come with a 90-day warranty, and we stand behind our quality. If something isn't right, get in touch and we'll do our best to help.

Does Stainless Steel Tarnish?

First, it helps to know why jewellery tarnishes at all. Tarnish happens when metals like copper and silver react with air, moisture, perfume and the natural oils on your skin. That's why sterling silver darkens over time, and why cheaper brass jewellery can turn dull or discoloured within weeks.

Stainless steel is different. The chromium in it forms an invisible protective layer that stops it from reacting, so it doesn't tarnish the way sterling silver or brass does. It's one of the biggest reasons we love it for everyday wear.

Already have tarnished pieces? See our cleaning guide for how to bring them back to life.

Will Stainless Steel Turn My Skin Green?

That green mark on your skin comes from copper reacting with your sweat and your skin's natural chemistry. It's harmless, but definitely not the look you're going for! Stainless steel isn't made with copper, so there's nothing to react, which means no green fingers, even after a sweaty day.

Is Stainless Steel Good for Sensitive Ears?

For most people, yes! High-quality stainless steel has very low nickel release. Nickel is the most common cause of irritation from jewellery. The nickel is locked tightly inside the metal, so very little reaches your skin, making it a great choice for sensitive ears. 316L stainless steel is especially good, which is why it's often used in body piercing jewellery.

If you have a severe nickel allergy, titanium may be the safest option, as it contains no nickel at all. If you're ever unsure, it's best to check with your doctor.

Stainless Steel vs Sterling Silver vs Gold Filled vs Gold Plated

Not sure which metal is right for you? Here's how they compare:

• Stainless steel is water resistant, won't tarnish, and is gentle on most sensitive skin. It's also one of the most affordable options, which makes it perfect for everyday, set-and-forget pieces.
• Sterling silver has a beautiful classic shine, but it tarnishes over time, especially with water, perfume and sweat. It needs a little more care, like taking it off to shower and polishing it now and then.
• Gold filled has a thick layer of real gold bonded to a base metal, so it's long-lasting and rarely tarnishes. It handles water well with care and is a great middle ground between plated and solid gold.
• Gold plated jewellery, usually made with a brass base, has only a thin layer of gold that can wear away with water and friction. It's budget-friendly, but best kept for occasional wear.

If you want jewellery you never have to think about, stainless steel is the easiest choice. If you love a classic silver look, sterling silver is beautiful with a little extra care. For a piece that feels like real gold and lasts for years, gold filled is a great investment.

Why We Love Stainless Steel

As you can tell, we really love stainless steel jewellery! For us, it's all about jewellery that fits into real life. You can build a ring stack you never have to take off, so no more leaving rings by the bathroom sink and forgetting them. It also makes mixing metals so easy: since both gold and silver tones share the same base metal, you can wear them together without worrying about one scratching the other. If you love the look, our mixed metals guide shows you how to style it.

We also love our two-tone pieces, which give you gold and silver in one design and are an easy way to try mixing metals. Best of all, stainless steel gives you the look of gold without solid gold prices, so you can build a collection you'll actually wear every day.

How to Care for Stainless Steel Jewellery

Stainless steel is about as low maintenance as jewellery gets, but a little care goes a long way:

• Rinse after the pool or ocean to wash away chlorine and salt.
• Clean with warm soapy water when it looks dull, then dry with a soft cloth.
• Store pieces separately in a pouch so they don't scratch each other.

For more tips, see our full cleaning guide or our jewellery care guide.