How to Care for Engraved Steel Jewelry?

Durable, affordable, and modern, all at once, are the qualities that make engraved steel jewelry a choice of the majority of consumers. Stainless steel, an alloy containing chromium, is the most commonly used type of steel in jewelry. This property of stainless steel gives it a high demand for being rust-free and corrosion-free. However, engraved items made of this material will need extra care in keeping the brilliance of the steel and the sharpness of the engraving.

How to Clean Steel Jewelry with Engravings?

Stainless steel jewelry has the property of not getting tarnished like silver nor getting corroded like iron; however, it still can become dirty, oily, and full of fingerprints over time. Engraved steel jewelry can only be cleaned with very mild solutions in order to protect the engraved details from being damaged. Warm water mixed with a couple of drops of mild dishwashing liquid is the solution that the professionals suggest using. A soft, lint-free, or microfiber cloth should be soaked in the solution and then gently rubbed along the polished lines of the jewelry.

Protection from Scratches and Wearing Out

Stainless steel is very strong among the metals but it is not completely impervious to scratches. Jewelry items with engravings are to be scratched very easily since the carved areas are lower than the rest of the surface, so they are the spots where dust and dirt get trapped easily and wear out faster. In order to reduce the scratches, jewelry should not be mixed up with other metal accessories, but rather kept apart in soft pouches or lined boxes. Jewelry care experts state that stainless steel has a Mohs hardness rating of approximately 5.5–6.3, which means that it is harder than silver but softer than tungsten carbide. Consequently, scratches are not a concern in cases of ordinary wear and tear, but in situations of exposure to rough handling or abrasive surfaces, marks can occur.

Maintaining Shine and Engraving Clarity

In due course, the engraved steel rings will gradually and surely lose their brilliance because of the constant contact with sweat, creams, and the environment. However, rubbing with a jewelry polishing cloth that is designed for this purpose will not only make the piece bright again but will also preserve the engraved features. Ultrasonic cleaners, which are typically used for gold or silver jewelry, are not recommended for engraved steel jewelry as the vibrations of the ultrasound cleaning can wipe out the delicate engravings. Regular hand-cleaning and polishing are not just suggested but also sufficient.

Long-Term Care Practices

The engraved steel jewelry has a better way to benefit from regular care routines. It is not a problem if the jewelry is worn every day, but cleaning it periodically, once every two or three weeks, really helps to keep it in good condition. Moreover, it is important not to expose the precious metal to chlorinated water for a long time, as during the gradual process of stainless steel pitting, it loses its strength and gold-like appearance. In this regard, contact with harsh household cleaning agents should also be very minimal. It is advisable for individuals who have engraved rings to remove them before applying lotions or perfumes in order to prevent any residue from being trapped inside the engraved parts.