Jewelry Buying Guide: Sterling Silver vs. Stainless Steel

Buying jewelry nowadays can be really expensive. Fortunately, we still can find a lot of ways to purchase pretty looking rings, or earrings without breaking the bank. Yes, that’s for all the practical women out there who loves dressing up for any occasion but certainly won’t be willing to spend a thousand bucks for a single bling.

When it comes to metal jewelry, silver is definitely one of the most popular choice among women. It has a certain charm and elegance that is different from gold, plus it’s easier to wear with different types of outfit for various occasions.

If you are like the large majority of women who loves wearing silver jewelry, you can find a lot of affordable wholesale jewelry online or offline. Two of the most common alternative to silver that you should definitely check out is sterling silver and stainless steel jewelry.

To help you decide between this two, we have put together a quick comparison of stainless steel and sterling silver in terms of price, durability and design.

Sterling silver vs. Stainless Steel: Price

When you visit a jewelry store, you will notice the difference between a sterling silver and stainless steel jewelry. If you’re a budget conscious, you should realize early on that sterling silver is pricier than stainless steel. This is because the materials used in sterling silver are almost the same with genuine silver. A high quality sterling silver has 92.5% silver alloy and 7.5% copper while stainless steel jewelry is made with greater chromium percentage making it a great choice for those who want to have fashion jewelry in a much cheaper price.

Sterling silver vs. Stainless Steel: Durability

Do you have a busy lifestyle that lets you do heavy household chores or do hands on activities? Maybe you should think before buying wholesale sterling silver jewelry. Although sterling silver looks as good as genuine silver, it also tends to tarnish and oxidize faster than stainless steel rings. Because sterling silver is relatively soft, it is more susceptible to scratches and dents. If you want a stronger and more durable alternative, try wearing stainless steel. It’s tarnish-free, scratch proof and relatively easy to maintain.

Sterling silver vs. Stainless Steel: Design

Stainless steel jewelry may look dull and lackluster compared to sterling silver but you can still find a lot of fashion rings or earrings made from this metal. For some jewelers, sterling silver is easier to work with making it easier to mold in various designs and styles. However, high end technologies nowadays allow designers to create laser generated design in stainless steel jewelry, making it a good contender to precious metals jewelry.