November 7, 2022
How to Identify Stainless Steel Jewelry to Clean It Properly
This durable yet delicate metal looks like silver but is more affordable. Look for these symbols to detect stainless steel of the highest caliber.
Strong, corrosion-resistant, and versatile, stainless steel doesn’t show wear and tear easily. It’s a common metal and likely in your home right now. From kitchenware to appliances, you’ve definitely come across this one. Another place it pops up? In your jewelry box. Stainless steel jewelry is popular because of its durability—it is less likely to bend or deform—and appears visually identical to silver. Many budget-friendly jewelry lines are made from copper, because the metal is affordable, but copper doesn’t hold up to wear and tear well as it oxidizes and turns green when it comes in contact with water, sweat, or other chemicals. Enter stainless steel, which is also a budget-friendly jewelry metal Although it can be inexpensive, stainless steel jewelry can also be extravagant and very fashion-forward. Brands like Gorjana, Kay, Mejuri, Vitaly, Wolf & Badger, and Fossil all make very on-trend stainless steel jewelry. Gucci and Louis Vuitton use stainless steel clasps and pieces in their jewelry—again for the durability factor—so, bear in mind that stainless steel isn’t synonymous with cheap.
Connoisseurs Tip:
Gold and silver scratch easily, while stainless steel doesn’t bend or deteriorate. It’s super low-maintenance and affordable.
How to Identify Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is often marked with the abbreviation SS, which can help you identify it. SS could also refer to sterling silver. Read our guide to how to identify silver.
Stainless steel features an alloy of chromium, steel, carbon, and nickel. The ratio of these metals will determine its grade. In addition to the SS markings, you might find some other markings on your jewelry. Here’s what they mean.
Grade 304 and 304 L
This is mainly used for cook- and kitchenware. It’s super strong and heat resistant—important features for cookware. Note that this grade of stainless steel has a high concentration of nickel, which can add color. But beware, nickel can also cause skin sensitivity, so your best bet is to avoid this grade of stainless steel in your jewelry, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Grade 316
This is another grade of stainless steel—it contains less nickel than 304 and 304 L, but has a nifty feature: it’s resistant to salt and water, so it makes a great choice for jewelry that you want to wear while swimming.
Grade 316 L
One of the preferred types of stainless steel, this grade is referred to as surgical steel. It has a low concentration of nickel and is sometimes referred to as medical grade since it is gentle on your skin and won’t cause sensitivity. It holds up well and does not show signs of oxidation easily, making it ideal for jewelry that you wear daily.
How to Clean Stainless Steel
If you wear stainless steel jewelry daily (and leave it on during showers or while you wash your hands) you will need to polish and clean your stainless steel jewelry in order to keep it shiny and sparkly. Here are products we love for cleaning stainless steel jewelry.
Connoisseurs Tip:
Many watches are made of stainless steel. Cleaning watches can be tricky, especially if they’re not waterproof or water resistant. You never want to submerge a watch in water. Instead, opt for alternative cleaning methods, like foams, gels, or wipes.
Connoisseurs All-Purpose Jewelry Kit
- One 8-oz. container of ammonia-free Connoisseurs Delicate Jewelry Cleaner, which is safe and effective for all types of jewelry.
- Our easy-to-use Jewelry Dip Tray and Touch-up Brush
- One 2-ply 5″ x 7″ UltraSoft Silver Jewelry Polishing Cloth
- One 2-ply 5″ x 7″ UltraSoft Gold Jewelry Polishing Cloth
- Conveniently packaged in an easy-to-open compact, our dry, disposable wipes work anywhere, any time. A special anti-tarnish shield helps your jewelry retain its mirror-like luster. These work well on stainless steel watches.
How to use to clean stainless steel watches:
- Remove one wipe from compact. Polish and buff watch all over with the non-toxic Jewelry Wipe. Keep rubbing to polish watch to a high shine and luster (about 30 seconds to 1 minute) Dispose of cloth. No need to rinse.
- The brilliant foaming action safely melts away dirt and grime in no time. These work well on stainless steel watches.
How to use to clean stainless steel watches:
- Remove pin from watch bracelet to lay flat (it’s the best way to clean, but not necessary). Lay your watch on an old towel or paper towels. Apply the non-toxic Jewelry Cleansing Foam by pumping the cleaner directly on the watch bracelet ensuring you cover the entire bracelet (do not apply watch face unless water resistant). Let the foaming action lift and remove dirt and grime as it soaks through the watch bracelet for up to 1 minute. Rinse the bracelet of the watch being careful not to submerge the watch face in water. Dry with lint free cloth or Connoisseurs Silver Jewelry Polishing Cloth.
Dazzle Gel Quick Jewelry Cleaner
- Connoisseurs Dazzle Gel Quick Jewelry Cleanser safely cleans jewelry and watches thanks to a specially formulated “All-Purpose” gel.
How to use to clean stainless steel watches:
- Remove pin from watch bracelet to lay flat (best way to clean but not necessary). Lay your watch on an old towel or paper towels. Remove brush from back of bottle, wet brush and dispense the non-toxic Quick Cleansing Dazzle Gel formula onto brush. Apply cleaner to bracelet of watch, brushing all over and underneath until you see the dirt and grime being removed and deposited on towel (about 30 seconds to 1 minute). Rinse the bracelet of the watch, being careful not to submerge the watch face in water. Dry with lint free cloth or Connoisseurs Silver Jewelry Polishing Cloth.
