Caring for Steel Jewelry (You Don't)
Silver tarnishes. Gold is soft. Brass oxidizes before you finish your morning coffee. 316 surgical-grade stainless steel — the alloy used in marine hardware and medical implants — doesn't care about any of it. This is the care guide for steel jewelry.
Step 1: Wear it. That's the entire guide. No polish. No storage ritual. No taking it off before the shower. The Industrial Rivet Hoop Earrings earrings have been worn through saltwater, sweat, and daily showers for over two years in testing. They look the same as day one.
The secret is molybdenum. 316 stainless contains 2–3% molybdenum, which forms a passive oxide layer that prevents corrosion. This is why it's used in surgical instruments and boat fittings — environments far more aggressive than your skin. "Stainless steel" without a grade number usually means 201 — which pits and rusts within a season. Always check the grade.
Cleaning (if you must): warm water, mild soap, dry with a cloth. That's it. No ultrasonic cleaners needed. No polishing cloths. The matte finish on the Anchor Point Necklace necklace is intentional — it reduces surface brilliance so structure itself becomes the language. Over-polishing would ruin that intent.
One real concern: scratches. Steel is hard, but harder materials (tungsten, ceramic, diamonds) can scratch it. Store steel pieces separately from each other — steel-on-steel can leave micro-abrasions. That's the entire maintenance program. Wear it. Rinse it. Don't throw it in a bag with your keys. Done.