Price reveals the secrets of stainless steel jewelry quality.
When buying stainless steel jewelry, have you ever had such a confusion: both are made of steel, but some cost only a few dozen yuan while others can reach thousands of yuan. What’s the difference exactly? Actually, you can tell the quality level just by looking at the price range. Different price ranges correspond to different techniques and experiences. Today, let’s explore the mystery behind it.
The stainless steel jewelry priced at several dozen yuan is made through a combination of “pressing and electroplating”. It’s like using a cookie mold to shape the design. The machine presses the stainless steel sheet into the basic shapes of rings and pendants, and then uses electroplating to coat the surface with gold or silver. This process is highly efficient, allowing for the production of several thousand pieces per day, resulting in low costs.
For whom is it suitable? Students and those who like to change their styles frequently. For example, you can buy a star necklace for 20 yuan and wear it with a T-shirt for a week; or for 30 yuan, get a geometric earring and wear it with a skirt for a few days. When you get tired of it, you can change it, and even if you lose it, you won’t feel too sorry. However, be aware that the colors from electroplating don’t last long. After wearing it for a while, there might be some color fading, so don’t expect it to last for three or five years.
If you want to purchase a stylish and durable piece within the range of 100 yuan, you need to consider the “laser cutting + PVD coating” configuration. Laser cutting is much more precise than stamping, and it can engrave complex patterns or even hollow designs on stainless steel. Wearing it gives a distinctive appearance.
PVD coating is an additional feature for this category. It is more wear-resistant than electroplating and has a more uniform color. Even if you wear it every day, it will rarely fade within two years. Moreover, PVD can create a gradient effect, such as gradually transitioning from rose gold to silver, which has a more layered appearance compared to a single color.
This type of jewelry is very suitable for office workers. The price is not expensive, but the texture is no less than that of high-end alternatives. It is suitable for pairing with suits or shirts. Even when washing hands or cooking, you don’t need to take it off. It is convenient and versatile.
If the budget reaches the thousand-yuan level, then it’s time to showcase the high-end craftsmanship of “micro-set diamonds + tension setting”. Micro-set involves embedding tiny diamonds onto stainless steel, and the traces of the setting can only be seen with a magnifying glass. The overall look is luxurious yet not ostentatious.
Tension setting requires even more advanced craftsmanship. Instead of using metal claws to fix the diamonds, it relies on the tension of the stainless steel to hold the diamonds in place. It looks as if the diamonds are suspended above, giving it a particularly stylish appearance. Such jewelry not only looks beautiful but also has great collectible value.
It is suitable for making commemorative pieces, such as engagement rings or anniversary gifts. The hardness of stainless steel combined with the eternity of diamonds implies a stable and long-lasting relationship. Moreover, this high-end design can have inscriptions, engraving special dates or names inside, making it feel like carrying a personal memory.
In fact, both the jewelry priced at several dozen yuan and those priced at several thousand yuan have their own value. If you want to change styles frequently, choose the economical and fast-selling models; if you want to balance texture and price, the advanced design models are the most suitable; if you want to own a meaningful piece of jewelry, the light luxury and high-end design models are worth investing in. Choose based on your own needs and budget, and you can find the one that suits you best.