The benefits of medical steel jewellery for everyday wear
Why medical steel jewellery is made for everyday wear: it doesn't tarnish, copes with the shower and the gym, and doesn't irritate the skin. Jewellery from ROTAS69.
You can wear medical steel jewellery every day – in the shower, at the gym and in the sea. Below we look at exactly what it can handle, what does shorten its life and how to choose a piece you can simply leave on.
What steel can handle
- Water. Showers, rain, washing your hands – none of it harms steel; it doesn't rust or lose its tone.
- Sweat. The gym and summer heat are no problem – unlike silver, which tarnishes with sweat.
- Everyday friction. Steel is harder than gold and silver, so scratches appear much more slowly.
- Time. A piece doesn't need regular cleaning to look good a year on.
What does shorten its life
Steel itself is tough, but most pieces are plated – and the plating is the vulnerable part.
- Chlorine in swimming pools – the harshest thing for gold plating; it does no harm to plain steel.
- Perfume and hairspray sprayed straight onto jewellery – the alcohol gradually wears the plating away.
- Sea salt, if you don't rinse the piece after a swim.
- Knocks against hard surfaces – weightlifting and DIY.
One simple rule
If a piece is plain steel, you needn't take it off at all. If it has gold plating, take it off for the pool and before you apply perfume, and it will last for years. The differences between types of plating are explained in our article on medical gold, and the material itself in our article on medical steel.
Who it suits best
- People who never take their jewellery off. A single chain or bracelet that you simply wear.
- Active lifestyles. Sport, swimming, working with your hands.
- Sensitive skin. 316L doesn't irritate ears or neck – more in our article on hypoallergenic earrings.
- Travel. You won't worry about losing it as you would a solid gold piece.
You can browse everyday options in our earrings collection and necklaces collection.
Minimal care
Every couple of weeks, rinse the piece in warm water and dry it with a soft cloth – that's all it takes. The rest of the basics are on our jewellery care page.
Frequently asked questions
Can you shower in steel jewellery?
Yes, if the piece is plain steel. If it has gold plating, it's better to take it off – soap and chlorine wear the plating down.
Does steel jewellery tarnish?
No. Unlike silver, steel doesn't oxidise or lose its tone, so it doesn't need regular cleaning.
Can you wear steel jewellery in the sea?
Yes, but rinse it in fresh water after your swim – salt left on the surface wears the plating down faster.
Does steel jewellery go with gold jewellery?
Yes. The easiest way is to choose a gold-plated steel piece – the tones match, and you keep the durability of steel.
