Rings come in all shapes and sizes. You can get them with or without diamonds, cubic zirconias, and pretty much any other type of precious and semi-precious stones. They come in all different colors and sizes to help you accessorize your favorite outfit or just plain make a statement about who you are. You can choose what type of metal your beloved ring is made out of. It is this last option that I speak of, aside from those precious stone options, that plays a huge role in not only the price of your ring, but also its durability. With that in mind, you might be curious whether a stainless steel ring is right for you given all of the pricier alternatives that are available.
When most people think of rings, they think of shimmering silver, gold, platinum, and let's not forget, diamonds! It is practically human nature to be drawn to anything that is shiny or has some sparkle to it, and it has been that way for thousands of years. Think about the ancient egyptians and all of their gold, for example. Seldom does one think of a stainless steel ring as anything but "fake," even if it looks nearly identical to one of its pricey alternatives.
However, in our modern times, is it really how much "bling" a ring has that gets our attention, or is it really the perceived "prestige" that one feels will come hand-in-hand with wearing a ring that is "real" (and carries with it a colossal price tag)? Unfortunately, most people lean toward the latter whether they'll ever admit it or not. Yet, given the state of the world's economy, most people, especially those in the lower financial classes are finding that they have to either do without nearly anything that is not a complete necessity in order to get by, or find an economical alternative. And, when it comes to rings and other fine jewelry, that alternative just might be stainless steel!
In the past, stainless steel wasn't used very often for jewelry due to its lack of that "prestige" that I just spoke about. However, today, you can find jewelry of all shapes and sizes made of the robust alloy including stainless steel rings. The interesting thing to note, however, is that there are quite a few benefits to choosing a stainless steel ring over one of the pricey alternatives aside from just the money savings, and the following are a few of those benefits:
1. Huge Savings
The most obvious benefit to choosing a stainless steel ring is probably the money that you can save, hands down. With gold at its highest value in decades, a ring made of gold can set you back as much as several hundred dollars, and that is if there is no sparkling diamond mounted on top of it, of course. A stainless steel ring with anodized gold coloring that looks nearly identical, on the other hand, can cost as little as ten dollars!
2. Durability
The problem with most precious metals is that they are quite soft. In fact, the more precious the metal is, it seems the softer it gets. Take gold, for example. If you have owned a "real" gold ring for a good length of time, you've probably noticed that it not only has gotten scratched profusely over the years, but it is likely also quite bent out of shape from those years of wear as well. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is much harder, and so it will not scratch or bend anywhere nearly as easily. For that reason, a stainless steel ring will tend to keep its original luster and shape for much longer, if not for as long as you own it.
3. Resistance To Tarnishing And Corrosion
While gold is quite resistant to tarnishing, the ability of a gold ring to stand the test of time really depends on the purity of the gold used in the ring. See, because gold is so soft, most rings made of the stuff are "hardened" by mixing in other more robust metals such as copper. The problem with that is that copper is not so resistant to tarnishing. In fact, it is the copper in "fake" gold rings that often leaves that tell-tale green stain on your precious finger. What you may not know, however, is that even a "real" gold ring may have enough copper mixed in it to produce that same ugly stain depending on your body's chemistry. A stainless steel ring, however, will not only be resistant to tarnishing and require little, if any, maintenance, but you can generally rest assured that it will never turn your finger any abnormal colors either!
The stainless steel ring is becoming more and more popular as an alternative its pricier counterparts. Your decision to go with stainless steel over other metals for your choice of ring may be easier now that you know some of the real benefits of having your ring made out of such an inexpensive and robust metal. Now, ask yourself, will it really make you feel better about yourself that your ring is made out of some over-priced, less durable, but "real" precious metal?
Author Resource:
Anthony is the owner and operator of eXoddity, an online store dedicated to providing oddity items, jewelry, and accessories including stainless steel rings at extra low prices and with excellent service. Visit our website to browse our selection now at: http://www.exoddity.com
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