Stainless beads

Stainless Steel: An Essential Material in Fashion Jewelry

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, nickel, and carbon, known for its durability and its ability to not irritate the skin, except in very rare cases. It is also a popular material in watchmaking, which guarantees its durability for everyday use.

A great alternative to 925 Sterling Silver or a silver-plated finish, the shiny color of stainless steel beads will appeal to both men and women.

In this category, you’ll find stainless steel beads in many shapes and sizes to suit all your costume jewelry needs: smooth, filigree, textured, round, olive-shaped, rectangular, flower-shaped, star-shaped, cylindrical, or cube-shaped, as well as textured beads or beads with a large hole…
We also offer letter beads for creating beautiful necklaces with initials or jewelry featuring a first name.
Other beads allow you to attach a charm to create increasingly original DIY jewelry.

There are also stopper beads that let you finish your bracelets without having to tie a knot.

And if you’re part of the gold team, you’ll also find what you’re looking for among our gold-plated stainless steel beads. Because yes, stainless steel can also be gold-plated, thanks to PVD plating.

PVD involves depositing a thin layer of metal particles (such as gold) onto stainless steel via a vapor deposition process at high temperatures. This process forms an extremely hard and stable protective layer, much more durable than traditional electroplated gold plating.

Jewelry Ideas with Stainless Steel Beads

The advantage of stainless steel beads is that they go with everything! Whether in their natural or gold-plated form, they can be incorporated into all kinds of designs to accent pieces, such as this gemstone necklace accented with heishi beads or this resin bead bracelet.

The Different Types of Stainless Steel

Several grades are used in jewelry: 201, 303, 304, 304L, 316, 316L, 430...

• 201: affordable and hypoallergenic, but less resistant in humid or salty environments.
• 304: the most common grade, resistant to heat and oxidation.
• 304L: the “low-carbon” version of 304, with better performance after welding.
• 316 (known as marine-grade stainless steel): contains molybdenum, excellent resistance in chlorinated or saline environments.
• 316L: the low-carbon version of 316, ideal for sensitive skin and healed piercings.
• 316F: a machinable version of 316, less common in jewelry.
• 430: nickel-free, hypoallergenic but less resistant to corrosion.
• 303 / 303L: easy to machine, less suitable for regular exposure to water.

Grades followed by an “L” (Low Carbon) offer better corrosion resistance after welding.

To learn more about their details, feel free to take a look at our technical data sheets. You’re sure to find the answers to your questions, which will help you decide which stainless steel to choose.

And if you’re wondering what the difference is between “stainless steel,” “inox, ” or “inoxable steel,” know that there isn’t one. These three terms all refer to the same metal.