316L steel vs brass vs sterling silver: which jewellery should you buy?
Share
Most everyday jewellery sold in India is made from one of three metals: gold-plated brass, sterling silver, or stainless steel. They can look identical in a photo. They behave very differently once you start wearing them every day.
At a glance
| 316L steel + 18K PVD | Gold-plated brass | Sterling silver | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | Shower, swim, sweat | Fades with water | Tarnishes, needs drying |
| Skin | Hypoallergenic | Can turn skin green | Usually fine |
| Upkeep | Wipe and go | Keep dry, store sealed | Regular polishing |
| Lifespan | Years of daily wear | Months | Years, with care |
Gold-plated brass
Brass is cheap and easy to shape, which is why it's everywhere. The problem is that brass is reactive. A thin layer of gold covers it at first, but sweat, water and perfume wear that layer down, and then the brass oxidises. That's the dark patch or green ring you see after a few weeks. Brass is great for occasion pieces you wear a few times a year, not for jewellery you never take off.
Sterling silver
925 sterling silver is a precious metal and gentle on most skin. It does tarnish, though: it reacts with sulphur in the air and goes dark unless you polish it and store it in airtight pouches. Gold-plated silver also needs replating over time. It's a lovely choice if you enjoy caring for your jewellery.
316L stainless steel with 18K PVD
316L is a surgical-grade steel alloy: the same family of metal used for watch cases and medical implants. It doesn't rust and doesn't react with sweat, so there's nothing to turn your skin green. When it's finished in 18K gold using PVD, the gold is bonded to the steel at a molecular level, which makes it much tougher than dipped plating.
The trade-off: steel is harder to resize, so rings come in fixed sizes. For necklaces, bracelets, earrings and charms, it's the most practical metal for daily wear.
Which should you choose?
- You want to wear it every day, in the shower and at the gym: 316L steel with PVD.
- You love precious metal and don't mind polishing: sterling silver.
- You need a statement piece for one wedding: brass is fine.
Every House of Riva piece is 316L stainless steel, with gold-tone pieces finished in 18K PVD. Shop the collection or see how we care for it.