Does stainless steel discolour? 7 things to know

316L stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion and tarnishing, but no piece of jewelry is completely unaffected by wear. For gold-colored jewelry, it's also the surface coating, such as PVD gold, that influences how the golden finish changes over time.

Stainless steel jewelry is popular because it's durable, easy to maintain, and suitable for everyday wear. But "stainless" doesn't mean a piece of jewelry will literally never change its appearance.

Dirt, skin oils, friction, chemicals, and general wear and tear can all affect a surface's appearance. At the same time, 316L stainless steel behaves differently from, for example, copper, sterling silver, and simpler plated materials.

Here are seven things that will help you understand what can actually affect the color, shine, and finish of your jewelry.

In this article

• What does it mean for a piece of jewelry to tarnish?
• Why do some metals tarnish faster?
• Can 316L stainless steel tarnish?
• Can PVD gold lose its color?
• What happens with water and sweat?
• How do perfume and lotion affect jewelry?
• Can scratches look like tarnishing?
• How to keep your jewelry beautiful for longer
• Frequently asked questions

1. What does it actually mean for a piece of jewelry to tarnish?

When we say a piece of jewelry has "tarnished," we can actually mean several different things.

• The metal reacts and changes
• A surface coating gradually wears off
• Dirt, skin oils, or product residues dull the surface
• Small scratches change how light is reflected
• Skin gets green or dark marks from certain metals

It's therefore important to distinguish between corrosion, coating wear, scratches, and common dirt.

This is particularly relevant for jewelry that is worn frequently and regularly comes into contact with skin, lotion, soap, and other products.

2. Why do some metals tarnish faster?

Different jewelry materials react differently to their surroundings.

Moisture, oxygen, sweat, salt, and chemicals can affect metals and surface treatments. Therefore, the material beneath the surface plays a big role in how the jewelry behaves over time.

316L stainless steel is used for its good corrosion resistance and as a practical material for frequently worn jewelry.

However, this doesn't mean that every piece of jewelry marked "stainless steel" automatically has the exact same properties. Steel quality, construction, and any surface coating also play a role.

At Serein Arc, we use 316L surgical steel as the base material.

3. Can 316L stainless steel tarnish?

316L is a stainless steel alloy with high corrosion resistance.

For everyday jewelry, this means the material handles moisture and normal wear significantly better than many less durable jewelry materials.

But "stainless" doesn't mean the material is completely indestructible.

Extreme environments, prolonged contact with strong chemicals, heavy wear, and surface damage can still affect a piece of jewelry.

It's therefore more accurate to describe 316L as corrosion-resistant and durable than to say the material literally never changes.

For normal everyday use, it requires relatively little maintenance at the same time.

316L compared to other common jewelry materials

If you want to compare the materials in more detail, you can read Stainless steel (316L) vs. sterling silver: 7 differences to help you choose the right one.

4. Can PVD gold lose its color?

Yes. A PVD surface is durable, but it's still a surface treatment.

PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition and is a process where a thin surface layer is applied under controlled conditions.

In jewelry, the technique is used to create a durable decorative finish. Compared to simpler plating methods, PVD is appreciated for its good adhesion and wear resistance.

However, this does not mean that the surface is immune to wear.

Friction against other jewelry, hard surfaces, and repeated contact with chemicals can affect the finish over time.

How quickly this happens depends, among other things, on how the jewelry is used and cared for.

This is also why a ring and a necklace can age differently even though they have the same surface treatment. A ring typically comes into contact with more hard surfaces during the day.

If you want to understand surface treatment better, you can read What is PVD gold? How it differs from regular gold plating.

5. What happens when jewelry is exposed to water and sweat?

Water is not automatically a problem for a piece of jewelry made of 316L stainless steel.

It is one of the material's great practical advantages.

But not all water is the same.

Pool water can contain chlorine, and seawater contains salt. Sweat also contains salts and other substances.

Long or repeated exposure can therefore be more demanding for a piece of jewelry, and especially for its surface finish, than ordinary clean water.

After swimming, working out, or heavy sweating, a simple habit is to rinse or wipe the jewelry and let it dry thoroughly.

If you want to know more, you can read Jewelry you can shower with: 7 everyday tips for jewelry that lasts longer.

6. Perfume, lotion, and chemicals can affect the surface

It's easy to think about water but forget all the other products a piece of jewelry encounters during a normal day.

This could include, for example:

• Perfume
• Hair spray
• Lotion
• Sunscreen
• Cleaning products
• Hand sanitizer
• Cosmetics

The problem isn't that a small amount of lotion immediately ruins a piece of jewelry. It's rather about repeated exposure and product residues that can build up on the surface or contribute to unnecessary wear.

A simple everyday rule is therefore:

Allow skincare, perfume, and other products to dry before putting on your jewelry.

When using strong cleaning agents or other household chemicals, it is also wise to avoid direct contact with your jewelry.

7. Scratches and friction can look like discoloration

One of the most common misconceptions is that every change in a piece of jewelry's luster means its color is fading.

That's not necessarily the case.

Small scratches change how light reflects off the surface. A highly polished piece of jewelry may therefore start to look somewhat duller after prolonged wear, even if the underlying material remains the same.

Friction is particularly relevant for rings.

A ring comes into daily contact with, for example:

• Tables and work surfaces
• Mobile phones
• Bags
• Exercise equipment
• Other rings
• Hard objects in everyday life

This is normal everyday wear and tear.

How to keep your jewelry beautiful for longer

Good materials make a big difference, but a few simple habits also help reduce unnecessary wear and tear.

Wipe your jewelry regularly

A soft cloth removes skin oils, sweat, and product residues before they can build up.

Clean when needed

Lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth are often enough for 316L stainless steel jewelry.

Avoid aggressive cleaning agents and abrasive materials.

If your jewelry needs a thorough cleaning, you can follow our guide How to clean jewelry at home? 7 simple steps to preserve its shine.

Store jewelry separately

When several pieces of jewelry are placed against each other, they can create unnecessary friction and small scratches.

Separate compartments or soft pouches are a simple solution.

See our guide How to store jewelry? 8 tips to reduce scratches and tangles.

Avoid unnecessary hard friction

Water resistance does not mean scratch resistance.

Exercise, heavy manual labor, and activities where the jewelry strikes against hard surfaces can cause significantly more wear than ordinary water.

Rinse or wipe after salt, chlorine, and heavy sweating

If the jewelry has been exposed to seawater, pool water, or a lot of sweat, it's a simple habit to rinse or wipe it afterwards and let it dry thoroughly.

What affects different parts of the jewelry?

What common mistakes should you avoid?

Assuming stainless means indestructible

316L is highly corrosion-resistant, but jewelry can still get cosmetic scratches and normal wear and tear.

Confusing dirt with discoloration

Skin oils, soap, lotions, and cosmetics can dull the surface. Therefore, try gentle cleaning before assuming the material or finish itself has changed.

Allowing multiple pieces of jewelry to rub against each other

Even durable materials can get scratches when hard surfaces are in contact for extended periods.

Exposing the PVD surface to excessive chemicals

PVD is durable, but a surface treatment still benefits most from being protected from repeated contact with strong chemicals.

Wearing rings during all types of activities

Rings are exposed to more friction than many other pieces of jewelry. When exercising, doing heavy work, and engaging in activities involving hard surfaces, it may therefore be wise to remove them.

Common questions about discoloration and stainless steel

Does 316L stainless steel jewelry discolor?

316L stainless steel has high resistance to corrosion and is a durable choice for everyday jewelry. The surface can still get scratches, product residue, or be affected by demanding environments.

Can stainless steel turn skin green?

Green marks are primarily associated with reactions from, for example, copper and certain copper-containing alloys. 316L stainless steel behaves differently and has high corrosion resistance.

If you want to understand the phenomenon better, you can read Why does jewelry turn skin green? 5 reasons and how to avoid it.

Does PVD gold lose its color?

PVD provides a durable surface finish, but all surface treatments can experience wear over time. Friction, chemicals, and how often the jewelry is used affect how the finish changes.

Can you shower with 316L jewelry?

316L stainless steel has good resistance to water and moisture. However, the jewelry's surface treatment and exposure to, for example, chlorine, salt, chemicals, and friction also play a role in how it ages.

Why does my jewelry suddenly look dull?

It doesn't have to be discoloration. Skin oils, soap, lotions, and other product residues can create a film that dulls the surface. Start with gentle cleaning.

How can I reduce wear on gold-colored PVD jewelry?

Wipe them regularly, store them separately, and avoid unnecessary contact with strong chemicals and hard surfaces. For rings, it's particularly good to consider activities with a lot of friction.

Good materials and simple habits make a difference

316L surgical steel is a durable and corrosion-resistant material that is well-suited for frequently worn jewelry.

A PVD finish also provides a durable gold-colored surface, but like other surface treatments, it can be affected by friction and use over time.

The most important habits are simple: keep your jewelry clean, reduce unnecessary friction, and store them protected when not in use.

This way, you reduce unnecessary wear and help your jewelry retain its shine and finish longer.

Sources and further reading

• Gemological Institute of America: Tips on Caring for Jewelry