Stainless steel or sterling silver: which to choose

Most of our pieces are made of stainless steel and some of sterling silver. Both are good choices, for different reasons.

What each metal is

Stainless steel is steel with at least 10.5% chromium in it. The chromium forms a thin, invisible layer on the surface that keeps rust away, and the layer forms again by itself when the surface is scratched.

Sterling silver is 92.5% silver, 925 parts in 1,000, which is why it is also called 925 silver. The other 7.5% is usually copper, which makes it hard enough to wear every day.

How they look

Steel is a cool grey-white, a little darker than silver. Silver is whiter and brighter and takes a higher shine.

Silver slowly darkens in air as it reacts with traces of sulphur. Many of our pieces, in both metals, are darkened on purpose in the hollows of the pattern, so the design stands out.

How they feel and wear

Silver is heavier: a silver piece weighs about 30% more than the same piece in steel.

Steel is much harder. It stands up to knocks and scratches far better than silver and copes with water and sweat, which makes it a good choice for rings and bracelets worn every day. Silver is softer: it scratches and bends more easily, and it polishes back to bright.

Looking after them

Stainless steel: rinse it in warm water with a drop of mild soap, dry it well and wipe it with a soft cloth.
Sterling silver: keep it in a closed pouch, away from air and moisture, and bring back the shine with a silver polishing cloth. Take it off to swim in chlorinated or salt water.

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