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At Lailam, we believe consumers deserve clear, accurate information, not marketing buzzwords. This page explains why we use stainless steel, how it compares to other jewellery materials, and what you can realistically expect over time.
Over recent years, the price of gold and silver has risen significantly, making precious metal jewellery increasingly inaccessible. As a result, many consumers are pushed out of the precious metals market and left with costume jewellery as the only affordable option.
Much costume jewellery is made from base metals such as brass or copper. While these materials may look appealing initially, they are prone to:
After relatively little wear, the appearance and quality of many of these pieces can decline.
To keep prices low, some brands reduce material costs by:
These shortcuts can result in jewellery that bends, deforms, or breaks more easily with regular wear.
Stainless steel has long been used in engineering, medical equipment, and householdware — settings where durability and reliability are essential.
Advances in manufacturing mean that 316-grade nickel-free stainless steel can now be used in jewellery, offering a practical and long-lasting alternative to traditional precious metals.
Stainless steel is a hard, durable metal that resists everyday scuffs and surface wear far better than softer precious metals.
This does not mean stainless steel will never scratch — all metals can scratch if forced or subjected to impact — but it is far better suited to the realities of daily wear than softer materials such as silver or gold.
Silver tarnishes because it reacts with substances in the air and environment. Stainless steel behaves differently:
This makes stainless steel significantly lower maintenance than silver.
Precious metals are naturally soft, which is why they are alloyed to improve hardness. Even then, they still wear down gradually with regular use.
When gold is plated onto silver or base metals, the plating will eventually wear away. This is unavoidable with precious metal plating.
PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) coatings work differently. They are bonded to the surface during manufacturing and create a highly durable finish. While no coating is indestructible, PVD coatings are significantly more resistant to wear than traditional precious metal plating under normal everyday use.
Many brands advertise jewellery as “waterproof” and present this as a unique selling point. In reality:
Wearing gold in the shower will not cause it to tarnish. Washing your hands while wearing silver will not damage it. The term “waterproof” is often used as marketing language rather than a meaningful material distinction.
After exposure to chlorine, salt water, sweat, or heavy cosmetics, we recommend rinsing jewellery with clean water and drying it thoroughly. This helps remove surface residues and maintain the finish over time.
Jewellery does not require special treatment after normal wear, but simple care can help extend its appearance and longevity.
The term “vermeil” is frequently used to reassure consumers that gold plating is thick and long-lasting.
However:
Even vermeil-plated jewellery will eventually wear if worn regularly, as precious metals are soft by nature.
Stainless steel is considered hypoallergenic, meaning:
However, hypoallergenic does not mean impossible to react. If you are sensitive to a material that is present, a reaction may still occur. This distinction is not always clearly explained by jewellery brands, but transparency matters to us.
At Lailam, we choose materials intentionally — balancing durability, comfort, and longevity.
Our jewellery is designed to be worn in everyday life, not hidden away or replaced after a short time. We believe informed customers make better choices, and honest explanations should always come first.
