Stainless Steel & Sterling Silver are very similar metal products & it’s hard to differentiate them with the naked eye. Both metal alloys are a homogenous mixture of different components & rich chemical elements. There are many similarities in the appearance of Stainless Steel & Sterling Silver but they differ in composition, affordability, weight, versatility, durability & maintenance. Compared to Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel are less bright & shiny in appearance. But both metals offer a wide variety of aspects & play a prominent role in various applications.
Here in this blog, we shared complete information about Stainless Steel & Sterling Steel including the definition & comparison. We are sure, this information will help you to analyze, which metal is better: Sterling silver or Stainless Steel.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is referred to as rustless steel. It is a type of metal alloy that consists of chromium, nickel, molybdenum, copper, manganese, nitrogen, titanium, niobium, aluminum, and many more chemical compositions. It has a low amount of carbon. These additions enhance oxidation resistance and increase corrosion resistance to specific environments. Austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, and duplex are the major grades of stainless steel. Stainless steel is less shiny but it doesn’t fade, stain or become discolored.
There are numerous varieties of stainless steel, which are used for particular products. SS plays an important role in various industries such as medicine, transportation, energy, building, research, and so on. Used to mimic the appearance of pewter or chrome.
Pros
- Stainless Steel is a precious metal
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Chromium makes SS impervious to oxidation
- Exceptionally durable and lightweight
- Harder construction
- Stainless steel is more affordable
- Easy and low-maintenance cleaning
- It is not dented or get scratched easily
- (Versatile) Used for various applications
Cons
- It is hard to get resized or repaired in case of damaging
- Can trigger allergic in some people
- Typically, doesn’t appreciate in value
What is Sterling Silver?
Sterling Silver is a type of alloy metal of silver. Considered a precious metal like platinum and gold. Silver is composed of 92.5% pure silver while it contains a few 7.5% copper alloy. Copper is typically used in sterling silver because it increases its hardness and strength. This offers more functionality and durability than pure silver. Hence, it can be tarnished easily because sometimes alloy has added many other elements such as platinum, silicon, zinc, germanium, and boron. It is a shiny and bright metal. Made with pure silver that’s why it has a higher chance of losing its original shape. Silver tends to snag and bend easily, due to its delicateness.
However, this metal has been used in trays, dinnerware, cutlery, currencies, mirrors, cigarette cases, etc. in the 12th century. Even used to make musical instruments, medical and surgical equipment.
Pros
- Precious metals more affordable than gold and platinum
- Sterling Silver offers more versatility and malleability
- Easy to create intricate designs
- Easy to repair in case of damaging
- Can resized and reshaped easily.
- Easy to clean and restore to its former glory.
- It offers a great luster
- This silver is malleable and soft.
- Comes in varieties of colors and finishes.
- Appreciated in its value.
Cons
- Prone to damage like scratches, and tarnishing due to its inherent softness.
- Hypoallergenic-allergic for some people’s skin irritations.
- Sterling silver can lose its shine easily.
- More expensive than stainless steel.
Which is Better: Sterling Silver Or Stainless Steel?
Selection between Sterling Silver & Stainless Steel completely depends on the decision, How you will use it. If you want a metal that is long-lasting & never tarnishes, you have to go with Stainless Steel metal. On the other hand, if you want to go with unique, natural finishes & elegant look metal, Sterling Silver is the right choice for you. In previous information, we mentioned that according to the property, Stainless Steel is more durable than Sterling Silver. But in terms of jewelry-making metal Sterling Silver is more durable as compared to other Silver. On the other hand, stainless steel is much more rigid because it’s soldered, so it’s challenging to repair and resize it.
For the person who has sensitive skin, Stainless Steel is always a better option. This metal is prone to allergies & irritation. Compared to Stainless Steel, Sterling Silver is more hypoallergenic but also a major cause of rash or other allergic reactions.
When we compare the price of Stainless Steel metal is cheaper than Sterling Silver & also Sterling Silver is a good opportunity for long-term investment. That’s because silver will always be considered more valuable than steel.
Conclusion
Overall, sterling silver is a type of alloy of silver that consists of 92.5% of silver, and stainless steel is a type of alloy that consists of 10-30% of chromium. The key difference between both metals is that sterling silver is more bright and lustrous than stainless steel. It has a shiny appearance. Both metals are great and are versatile and used in various applications.