The world of jewelry is seeing its biggest growth in stainless steel jewelry, specifically for the discerning urban man who wants to add a bit of style to his daily routine. Men’s jewelry has quickly become a popular trend in recent years, and this is for a number of reasons. The top 5 reasons for this growth include strength and durability, masculinity, affordability, and virtually zero maintenance. For these reasons, men’s steel bracelets and rings can be worn on a daily basis and almost anywhere. So how is stainless steel establishing itself at the top of the men’s jewelry podium?
daily usability
The strength and durability of men’s jewelry is important to survive years of wear and tear. Stainless steel is made up of iron ore (prone to corrosion) combined with chromium (anti-corrosion properties) which fights corrosion or staining, hence the stainless look of steel. Carbon in very small amounts (less than 0.5%) is infused into the metal to increase durability and strength. These materials are fortunately much more abundant than silver or gold. We are left with an inexpensive but very solid metal to work with.
Stainless steel is not very scratch resistant when polished to a shine, which is true of most stainless steel jewelry available. Fortunately, most surface scratches are not visible from 6 inches or more. Silver polishing cloths won’t remove most scratches, but they will restore the shine to your stainless steel jewelry with no problem. There are ways to re-polish light surface scratches with very inexpensive materials and this can be done at home, a topic to be discussed in a future article.
Steel Jewelry Production Costs
Stainless steel bullion costs about the same as copper, which is 5-10 times less than pure silver, as verified by a nationally recognized bullion dealer, metalmint. This relatively low cost is yet another reason for the recent adoption of stainless steels in the men’s jewelry industry.
Used by blacksmiths for several centuries and widely used today from our cars to airplanes, steel has a certain sense of masculinity embedded within it. Industrial applications have maintained the exclusivity of steel, until about 5 years ago. Men now have a wide selection of stainless steel bracelets and rings at their disposal. Steel is also making its way into chain necklaces, creating a long, heavy steel chain that appeals to men for a much lower cost than before.
Making stainless steel jewelry is also quite simple, keeping production costs low. The casting process ensures repeatable results, giving creative men’s jewelry designers the freedom to infuse bold, masculine style into a strong, elegant package.
Attractive and affordable with style
Bike chain and skull jewelry styles are popular for this very reason. This same bike chain has now been styled as a stainless steel bracelet for men to wear on a daily basis, and is the perfect example of stainless steel’s purpose in men’s jewelry – bold style in a strong package. However, the links of a bicycle chain bracelet must be polished and rounded, among other modifications, to make it practical in everyday use.
The latest fashion in skull jewelry is now making its way into stainless steel. Heavy, chunky chains (widths greater than 6mm) that normally cost several hundred dollars in sterling silver can now be made in stainless steel for a fraction of the price, giving the consumer a myriad of options. Stylish chains and some familiar classic styles like Rhombus, Cable, Curb, and bike chain designs are now available in one thick, heavy package for less than $100 instead of several hundred.
Allergic reactions to steel jewelry
Unfortunately, allergic reactions to stainless steel metals are a reality for a very small percentage of the population, as stainless steel CAN consist of nickel, titanium, chromium, and other alloys, which can cause skin irritation or rashes. Stainless steel jewelry contains nickel, but its combination with steel makes it highly unlikely to be the culprit for those with nickel allergies, but those with nickel allergies may need to be careful with steel jewelry. Check with your doctor to find out what affects you.
There are universal appeals to stainless steel jewelry, and its recent fame will grow as trends embrace more stainless steel designs and styles. Low production costs and everyday usability will contribute substantially to the rapid growth of available stainless steel products in the coming years. Hypoallergenic gold and silver will continue to be the go-to metals for those with strong nickel allergies, but for all other purposes, stainless steel jewelry can be substituted at substantial cost savings for both manufacturers and consumers.
