The Pros and Cons of Stainless Steel Rings and Wedding Bands
Written by Chiara
May 30, 2018
Forget Silver, forget Gold, forget Platinum, there’s a new metal in town!
Stainless steel!
But what is Stainless steel anyway?
Stainless steel is a metal compound of iron, carbon, and chromium. Stainless steel can be used for many different applications such as surgical and medical tools, aerospace applications, and architecture. But it’s also used to make jewelry and because the metal is corrosion and heat-resistant, it can make a great addition to your jewelry box. The jewelry is harder to scratch and can withstand the sun, the sand, and the sea. It really takes the stress away from remembering to take off your jewelry in the shower!
Stainless steel was originally used for necklaces and earrings, used especially on ears that were freshly pierced. This is due to the extremely low rate of allergic reactions to the metal despite the steel still containing nickel. Now couples are finding themselves wanting wedding bands in the same material!
But is it a good idea to buy stainless steel jewelry? We’ve put together a short pros and cons list for you.
Pros for Purchasing Stainless Steel Rings & Wedding Bands
Low Maintenance
- It is corrosion-free, tarnish-free, and scratch-free.
- Stainless steel rings are incredibly durable, making them perfect for everlasting wedding bands.
- They don’t require much maintenance and are really easy to clean- just use warm water and soap!
- Stainless Steel rings do not require rhodium plating. Rhodium is a hard metal that increases the scratch resistance of a jewelry item but stainless steel is stronger and therefore does not need it, so it saves time, money, and energy.
Comfort
- It is a light metal, so it is easy and comfortable to wear on the finger.
- The metal is best known for being hypoallergenic, so it’s great even for the most irritable skin.
Value
- The price point is significantly lower compared to gold, silver, and platinum.
- Despite being cheaper than the other metals, it still has a similar look to platinum so the ring will retain its beauty and luster.
Eco-Friendly
- It is the most environmentally-friendly metal option in the jewelry world. In the production process, the amount of energy used and waste produced is dramatically less than in the production of other metals for jewelry.
- Stainless steel is 100% recyclable.
Safety
- In an emergency situation, stainless steel rings can be cut off using regular cutting equipment tools.
- They are a poor conductor of electricity. Stainless steel rings conduct around up to 16v, whereas gold conducts up to 310v and silver is 429v for those worrying about getting electric shocks from their ring!
Cons for Purchasing Stainless Steel Rings & Wedding Bands
Availability
- Stainless steel wedding bands come in limited styles and selections at the moment, hurting availability.
- Because they’re sold mainly through online retailers, stainless steel wedding bands have limited availability in store.
Maintenance
- After years & years of wearing your stainless steel ring, the ring may lose its shine and polish, and therefore may need a quick re-polishing to restore your ring’s gleaming shine. This is nothing compared to gold (every 6 months) or silver (multiple times a year), to keep it in the same shining condition.
- Stainless steel and chlorine is a very bad combination as the stainless steel is very sensitive to it. So make sure you remove your stainless steel rings before entering a chlorine pool!
Ring Resizing
- Due to the durability of the metal, if the ring is not the right size, then the likelihood of getting a perfect ring resizing can be difficult.
- Stainless steel ring resizing cannot be done by hand and needs to be handled with specialized machines (such as TIG Welder or a high powered laser welder to accommodate for the high melting point of stainless steel).
- Without the required specialized machinery, the jeweler can’t do anything, except advise on different ways to wear the ring like on a chain as a necklace.
While many jewelers and repair services might tell you that they can’t resize stainless steel rings, Quick Jewelry Repairs has you covered. We have the specialized equipment needed and are happy to resize your stainless steel rings up or down as needed. Here’s a short guide for you.
Stainless Steel Ring Resizing – A Short FAQ
How do I know what size I need my stainless steel ring to be?
Check out our recommended method that you can do at home to verify your preferred ring size
2. How does Quick Jewelry Repairs resize stainless steel rings?
The methods vary on the service that you require for the band i.e. sizing up or sizing down. For more information on these methods read here.
3. How much does it cost to resize my stainless steel ring?
Starting from only $55 but check out our prices below!
| Change in Size |
Price ($) |
| 0.5-1 | $55 |
| 1.5 | $65 |
| 2 | $75 |
| 2.5 | $85 |
| 3 | $95 |
4. Where can you buy?
Below is a constantly changing list where we like to get our cool stainless steel jewelry from:
Inox Jewelry
Therefore despite what you have been told, it IS possible to resize your stainless steel rings and we are fully behind it, because we can! There is no need to have the worry of buying a stainless steel ring in perfect size right out the gate anymore, especially for wedding band options, so relax and enjoy ring shopping!
Remember to send it over to us if you do end up needing a resize!
I have a engangment ring size 7 that needs I be a size 5. Can you help.
Hi Monica, Yes we sure can!
You can get started by placing your ring sizing down order form found here. After you enter all the information about your ring you will be able to download the prepaid FedEx shipping label to send us your ring for sizing after checkout. If you have any questions let me know 🙂
Hello,
I have a bangle bracelet that’s stainless steel. When you click it together the little dot that it clicks onto is getting worn down and my bracelet is starting to fall off my wrist. Can that be fixed?
Hi, I live in Toronto and have a thick stainless steel ring from the Bradford Exchange that is size 9 and I need it resized to size 10. Can you help me and how much would this cost? It is “The Legend of Excaibur” Bradford Exchange ring, if you search it in images on GOOGLE you will see a photo. I also attached an Amazon link so you can see the thickness etc..Thank you.
Hi Peter,
We can definitely resize it for you! We’ve reached out to you via email.
I have a set of 3 bands with the two outer ones being black. I was told by a jeweler that it is stainless steel and even if they could resize it, they were afraid the black would be an issue. Would it be a problem for you or other sizing places?
Hi Nicole,
We’d have to see a picture of the ring; I’ll send you an email.
Hi, would it be possible to engrave a stainless steel ring?
Hi Casey,
It’s definitely possible! What would you like to engrave on the piece?
I have two stainless steel rings that need to be increased by 1/2 or maybe a full 1 as it is a bit too snug currently, can this be done?
Absolutely! You can place your order with our ring resizing up service: just select stainless steel when checking out.
I have two Harley Davidson wedding bands and both need resizing mine is a 6 and needs to be a 4&half his is a 13 and needs to be a 11 Don’t know what to do & need them fixed soon as possible had NO Idea we would have this Problem
Hi Lisa,
I’ve sent you an email 🙂
I have a SS cross that i need to have an O ring put on and a SS vale that needs repairing.
Hi Donna,
We’ve sent you an email! 🙂
Can you repair stainless steel chains and bracelets
Hi Margo,
Yes we can! We’ve sent you an email in response.
Can a stainless steel bracelet chain link bracelet be adjusted to a smaller wrist?
Hi Jesse, yes it can! Do you have a bracelet you’d like to shorten?
I actually have two stainless steel bracelets that I need to have one link removed from each. How much would you charge for this?
Hi Johan, I’ll actually need a little more information so I’ve emailed you!
I have a Stainless steel ring with the Lord’s Prayer on it and I totally LOVE it! It’s a 6
1/2 and I need it to be resized to 6 3/4 . Is it possible?
Sure, we can do that for you! We’ve emailed you for more details.
Can a silver colored stainless wring be changed to a gold plate or something similar?
Yes it can! We’ve emailed you for more information
hello
i have a SS pendant for my 6mm chain and i need a bigger loop so it can fit. is that something you can help with??? the original loop broke off
Your idea is so helpful, if we know the pross and cons of the rings we can understand what should we do.
I have a stainless steel bracelet that I need shortened by 2 links. All the local jewelers say they can’t do it. Is this something you can do ?
Hi there, could you please provide a picture of the bracelet?
Could you change a stone in a steel no ring? I want to put a moissanite in place if a CZ! Love the ring but want a more durable stone! Thanks for your time. I am looking forward to hearing from you!!
Hi Stacey, We’ll reach out to you shortly with further details. 🙂