What is 316L Stainless Steel? — Complete Jewelry Guide
What is 316L Stainless Steel?
316L is the gold standard for men’s jewelry. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Does 316L Mean?
316L is a grade of stainless steel. The “L” stands for “Low Carbon” — it has less carbon than regular 316 steel, making it more corrosion-resistant and easier to work with.
Why 316L is Perfect for Jewelry
- Hypoallergenic: Won’t cause skin irritation or green skin
- Corrosion-resistant: Won’t rust, even in water/sweat
- Hard: Resists scratches better than silver or gold
- Non-magnetic: Real 316L won’t stick to magnets
- Affordable: 1/10th the price of real gold
316L vs Other Steels
304 steel (cheaper, rusts easier), 316 steel (good, but 316L is better), 904L steel (premium, used by Rolex, very expensive). 316L is the sweet spot for jewelry.
How Long Does 316L Last?
With basic care, 316L stainless steel jewelry lasts 5-10+ years. The steel itself is virtually indestructible. The PVD coating (gold/silver color) lasts 2-3 years before needing re-coating.
shop our collection — all jewelry is genuine 316L steel 🔧