Is Stainless Steel Jewelry Waterproof?
Stainless steel jewelry is water-resistant rather than hermetically waterproof, which in practice is all you need: it does not rust, corrode or discolour when it gets wet. That is why stainless steel is the standard for waterproof jewelry - it can handle showers, hand washing, swimming pools, the ocean and daily sweat without breaking down. The one thing to avoid is leaving any plated piece soaking in chlorinated water for long periods, which is also true of solid gold.
Sunrise Bling pieces are made from 316L stainless steel, which is marine-grade and contains molybdenum - the element that gives it extra resistance to salt and chlorinated water. Cheaper 304 steel is fine for a bracelet you take off at night; 316L is what you want if you intend to never take it off.
What Makes Stainless Steel Waterproof?
Stainless steel gets its water resistance from chromium. When chromium meets oxygen it forms an invisible, self-repairing oxide layer on the surface of the metal. Scratch it and the layer re-forms within minutes using oxygen from the air. That is why a stainless steel necklace you have worn for three years in the shower still looks the same as the day it arrived, while a brass or copper piece turns dark and leaves a green mark on your skin.
It is also why stainless steel is hypoallergenic. The chromium oxide layer seals the metal underneath, so far less nickel reaches your skin - the main cause of itchy, red, weeping earlobes. Our hypoallergenic earrings are built specifically for ears that react to ordinary costume jewelry.
Does Stainless Steel Jewelry Tarnish?
No. Stainless steel itself does not tarnish - tarnishing is oxidation, and stainless steel is designed not to oxidise. What can eventually look dull after years of heavy wear is the 18K gold plating on top, which is why we use a bonded gold layer rather than a thin electroplated wash, and why we offer a 60-day return window if it does not hold up.
If your jewelry does begin to look tired, it is almost always product build-up rather than damage. Warm water, a drop of mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush will bring the shine straight back - the same routine we describe in how to clean gold jewelry. For the full explanation of why stainless steel behaves differently, see does stainless steel tarnish and will stainless steel tarnish.
Does Stainless Steel Turn Your Skin Green?
No - and that is the single biggest reason people switch to it. Green skin comes from copper and brass, which oxidise and leave a residue when they meet your sweat and skin oils. Stainless steel has no copper in the alloy, so there is nothing to leave a mark. If you have ever taken off a necklace at the end of the day and found a green line around your neck, that piece was not stainless steel.
Can You Shower and Swim in Waterproof Jewelry?
Yes. That is the point. Our pieces are sweatproof and waterproof, so you can keep them on through the gym, the shower, the pool and the sea. If you swim in a chlorinated pool several times a week, rinse the piece in fresh water afterwards - the same care you would give any jewelry. Full guidance is in our waterproof jewelry guide and our non-tarnishing jewelry guide.
Is 18K Gold Plated Stainless Steel Real Gold?
No - and we are upfront about that because it matters. Our jewelry is 18K gold plated over 316L stainless steel, not solid gold. Real 18K gold would cost hundreds or thousands of dollars per piece. Plated stainless steel gives you the same warm gold tone and the same everyday durability for a fraction of the price, which is exactly why it is the right choice for jewelry you plan to wear in the shower and at the gym.