Stainless Steel Enamel Jewelry
Enamel is a versatile material that can be used in various techniques, from cloisonne to champleve (where recesses are carved into the metal base and then filled with enamel), providing jewelers with significant creative freedom. Its vibrant luster and translucent nature add depth and dimension to pieces, making them captivating to the eye and touch.
Durability
Stainless steel is one of the most durable materials available for jewelry. It resists scratches and tarnishing, thanks to an invisible layer of chromium that prevents oxidation. It’s also hypoallergenic and non-reactive to most chemicals. The only thing that can negatively affect the color of stainless steel is chlorine, which can cause it to turn green.
The enamel coating acts as a protective barrier, blocking Fashion Jewellery moisture from the metal. This makes enamel jewelry quite durable, and some pieces date back to the Byzantine Empire and Ancient Greece, demonstrating just how long-lasting this material is.
However, enamel jewelry can still be damaged by rough handling or impact. This is why it’s a good idea to remove enamel pieces before engaging in strenuous activities, and to store them in a safe location where they won’t be knocked against hard surfaces.
It’s also important to regularly clean your enamel jewelry with lukewarm water and mild soap. Using a soft cloth or brush, scrub away any dirt and grime, then rinse and dry the piece thoroughly. Keeping your enamel jewelry clean will ensure that it looks beautiful and bright, and will also help to keep the colors vibrant.
Resistant to Corrosion
Many people like to wear stainless steel jewelry because it is durable and doesn’t rust or tarnish. The reason is that it contains an alloy of chromium, which makes it resistant to corrosion by reacting with oxygen molecules. This metal is also hypoallergenic, meaning it will not irritate your skin or cause any allergic reactions.
The same properties that make 316L stainless steel suitable for medical uses, such as for piercings, also make it ideal for jewelry. This type of metal does not rust or tarnish, and it is resistant to scratches. It is also very strong, and it can withstand a lot of strain without losing its shape.
For jewelry, 316L stainless steel is typically used for chain necklaces and bracelets. It can also be found in earrings and rings, including the popular Cuban chains and the enamel ring. This type of stainless steel is known as austenitic, and it has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Some of the most popular colors for jewelry made out of stainless steel are gold, rose gold and black. The stainless steel is coated with these colors using a process called PVD (physical vapor deposition). This coating is 10 times thicker than standard sterling silver. It is also highly scratch-resistant and will hold its color for a long time, even when worn daily.
Recyclable
Stainless steel is recycled countless times, making it one of the most sustainable materials out there. It doesn’t rust or oxidize, and can be used to make new metal products without losing its strength or durability. The recycling process also reduces energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Enamel is also highly recyclable. The glass-like material is made of mineral oxides that can be separated into different colors, such as cobalt, praseodymium, iron, and neodymium. The powder can be mixed together to create different hues, as a painter would.
A common enameling technique is plique-a-jour, which results in a translucent appearance allowing light to enter through the framed enamel sections. The technique was popular during the Art Nouveau period, and has been used by jewelry designers like Tiffany & Co., and by artists such as George Stubbs and Peter Carl Faberge to create bibelots and other decorative pieces.
In addition, enamel pins are easily repurposed. Instead of trashing them or taking them to scrap metal depots, they can be sold on websites such as Craigslist and eBay. Enamel gold necklace for women Selling the pins to another person not only reduces waste but also cuts down on transportation costs and carbon emissions, since less energy is spent shipping the items. It’s a great way to spread the message of sustainability and reduce our environmental footprint.
Easy to Clean
Stainless steel jewelry is a great choice for those with active lifestyles. The material is corrosion-free, tarnish-free, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean with normal household items. Using dish soap and a soft cloth is an easy way to remove grime from your jewelry and get rid of excess oils. You can also try using toothpaste, which will help to polish your jewelry and make it shine again. You should only use toothpaste that does not contain any whitening ingredients.
Alternatively, baking soda can be used as a mild abrasive to scrub away grime from engraved or small openings in the jewelry. Mix baking soda with water until it has a toothpaste-like consistency and apply the paste to your jewelry. After scrubbing, rinse the jewelry with warm water and gently dry it with a soft, lint-free cloth. This method is particularly effective for stainless steel rings that have a lot of small openings and patterns or those with gemstones.
For more detailed cleaning, you can use a jewelry cleaner or ultrasonic cleaning machine, which is especially good for intricately carved pieces. However, it is important to be very careful while using these types of cleaners because they are abrasive and can scratch the surface of your jewelry. If you decide to use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, it is a good idea to test the cleaner on a small area of your jewelry before using it on the entire piece.
