Jewelry Materials Explained: Stainless Steel, Gold Tone & Plated Finishes

When it comes to choosing jewelry, the material matters just as much as the design. Durability, skin sensitivity, and even how long the shine lasts all depend on the metal behind the beauty. At Lovella Jewelry, we specialize in stainless steel jewelry—in silver, gold tone, and rose gold finishes—because it’s the perfect balance of elegance, strength, and everyday wearability.

Here’s a guide to the most common jewelry materials and how they compare, so you can understand exactly what you’re wearing.

1. Stainless Steel (Silver, Rose & Gold Tone)

– Durable & Long-Lasting

At Lovella Jewelry, most of our pieces are crafted in 304 stainless steel and 316L stainless steel.

  • 304 stainless steel: Commonly used in jewelry, durable, resistant to tarnish, and perfect for everyday wear.

  • 316L stainless steel: Known as “surgical grade” steel, it offers even greater resistance to corrosion and is considered a premium option in fashion jewelry.

✨ Why we love it at Lovella: Both 304 and 316L stainless steel keep their shine much longer than softer metals, are water-friendly, scratch-resistant, and won’t easily tarnish. That’s why they’re at the heart of our collections—balancing beauty with durability.


2. Gold & Rose Gold Stainless Steel

 – Accessible Luxury

“Gold stainless steel” doesn’t mean the metal itself is solid gold—it means stainless steel has been given a gold or rose gold finish. This is usually done through PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) or electroplating with 18k gold, creating the warm golden tones you love while keeping the strength of stainless steel as the base.

💡 Care Tip: To make plated finishes last longer, avoid swimming, bathing, or applying perfumes directly onto the jewelry.


3. 925 Sterling Silver

 – A Popular Classic (for Comparison)

Sterling silver (92.5% silver mixed with copper) is loved for its bright white shine, but it can tarnish over time and requires polishing.

📝 Note: While Lovella focuses on stainless steel, we include silver here as a reference for customers comparing materials.


4. Elegant Look, Accessible Price

At Lovella Jewelry, we don’t primarily sell solid gold. Instead, many of our pieces are crafted in 304 or 316L stainless steel with an 18k gold plated finish.

This means you enjoy the same luxurious golden tones and timeless look of fine jewelry, while keeping the durability, strength, and everyday wearability of stainless steel as the base.

✨ Why we love it at Lovella: You get the elegance of gold, without the high price tag—making it easier to style, stack, and enjoy your jewelry every day.

 

5. Metal Alloys (Brass, Bronze, etc.)

– Affordable but Less Durable

Fashion jewelry often uses brass or bronze as a base. While affordable, these metals can tarnish quickly and may cause skin irritation for some wearers.

✨ Why we prefer stainless steel: Unlike alloys, stainless steel won’t easily tarnish, discolor, or lose its shine—making it our primary material of choice at Lovella.

📝 Note: At Lovella Jewelry, our current collections are made in 304 and 316L stainless steel. However, in the future we may introduce select designs using other metals or alloys to expand variety and offer trend-driven pieces at different price points—always clearly labeled so you know exactly what you’re getting.

 

Final Thoughts

Your jewelry should reflect your style without compromising on quality. That’s why at Lovella Jewelry, our collections are curated using 304 and 316L stainless steel, in elegant silver, gold tone, and rose gold finishes.

✨ You get the look of luxury with the durability of stainless steel—jewelry made to shine every day, not just on special occasions.