Technically, stainless steel can qualify as hypoallergenic (meaning: low risk of causing an allergic reaction), as although nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic reactions from jewellery, it is bonded to other elements in the alloy and generally won't leech on to the skin.

This grade of steel is designed to have the highest resistance to corrosion, therefore it also tends to have a higher nickel content (up to 12%). The most common available 'surgical' grades are 316 and 316L (the L is to indicate a lower carbon content). 'Surgical' steel is actually just a trade name for stainless steel of particular grades (also known as 'marine grade' steel). This will also contain nickel - in fact, stainless steel can't be classed as a surgical grade without it. Although stainless steel can be made without nickel, it is fairly uncommon, and most stainless steel will contain between 8% - 12% nickel (the higher the grade, on average the higher the nickel content). Stainless steel is designed for strength and durability, with its high resistance to corrosion being one of its primary attributes, and nickel is a key element in the alloy that helps provide this. It is highly resistant to many issues that affect other base (or even precious) metals, such as tarnish and corrosion, and will last a lifetime if cared for (sometimes even if not!) The increasing popularity of stainless steel jewellery means that the range of findings available is getting bigger and more diverse day by day. Stainless steel offers some of the best value for money available when it comes to jewellery findings, due to its strength, durability and versatility.

Does surgical steel tarnish