As a artisan jewelry designer, I love the possibility of mixing metals. Stainless steel looks great when combined with the soft color of silver and the yellow color of gold filled as shown here on my newest cuff. Even just finely sanded it has the luxurious color of palladium white gold. Stainless steel typically has a silver sheen, but, unlike silver, it will not tarnish and it is not susceptible to surface scratches very easy. 

Stainless steel is very resistant to rust, oxidation, and discoloration. It is a corrosion-resistant alloy which is ideal for long-lasting jewelry designs like my  STAINLESS STEEL LOVE STAMPED SILVER WIRE WRAP GOLD DRUZY BANGLE CUFF. My stainless steel jewelry is an excellent alternative for wearers with allergies and sensitivity to base metals such as nickel or brass.

Of Importance to those with allergies to certain base metals

Stainless steel is made up of iron, chromium, nickel, manganese, and copper.  The chromium is added as an agent to provide corrosion resistance.  Also, because it is non-porous stainless steel is extremely resistant against corrosion. Those with severe nickel allergies as I need to be aware that stainless steel does contain nickel as mentioned above.

Not all stainless steel jewelry is created equal... 316L is considered the best grade to use when allergic reactions are concerned. It is the type of stainless steel that is used in implants. Surgical steel, or better yet "implant" grade surgical steel is what you want...a grade that's meant for the use of the inside or on the human body and completely hypo-allergenic. This is the only stainless steel I use in my jewelry designs.

Read on please....

that the nickel in the stainless steel can cause a reaction with those that have severe nickel allergies. Woah, I thought, that's exactly the reason why I do not create jewelry containing nickel or offer it on my website is the fact that I myself have a severe allergy to nickel. So naturally when I read that I did my own research.

MY RESEARCH

After I did research on stainless steel...you just read all about it, I decided to design a stainless steel bangle cuff and craft it by hand. I noticed stainless steel is a lot harder to work with than any other metal I worked with before. The results pertaining to the bangle stability, however, is unbeatable and will give the wearer a lifetime of enjoyment. I have been testing wearing the bangle since I made it and I am sure it is true that the containing nickel is bonded within the elements of the steel in such a way as to be held in a crystalline structure preventing any leaching.  Otherwise, I would have shown an allergic reaction to the nickel. I personally love this bangle.

I will however not make many of them due to the strength you need to be able to sculpt the ridged metal in to shape.

Keep reading please...

 As a wearer of stainless steel jewelry I noticed it is a lot heavier than aluminum and does not tear, where aluminum on the other hand does and it is very lightweight (Stainless Steel is 3x heavier than aluminum). That's the reason why aircraft bodies and automobiles are made from aluminum - it is much lighter.

Can aluminum explode?

When aluminum is oxidized, its surface will turn white and sometimes pit. In extremely acidic or basic environments, aluminum may corrode rapidly with catastrophic results. Taken from this source: 

https://www.kaempfandharris.com/industry-news/how-do-aluminum-and-stainless-steel-differ

Aluminum have a very thin layer of chromium oxide which prevents any oxidation on stainless steel

 What does Aluminum do to the brain?

Aluminum, as a known neurotoxicant that contributes to cognitive dysfunction and may contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Meaning if aluminum enters the bloodstream by consumption or other means and fluxes into brain across the blood  stream, it can be deposited in the brain that way on a long term. Some factors like citric acid and parathyroid hormone (PTH), and vitamin D, can promote aluminum to enter the brain. But the redistribution of aluminum out of the brain is slow, so aluminum can be deposited in the brain for a long time. That alone should be the warning indicator that aluminum should be avoided.

The link below is one of my sources I came upon during my research.

https://europepmc.org/article/med/30315451