You'll see "316L stainless steel" on a lot of quality jewellery. But what does it actually mean, and why does the grade of steel matter?
What Is 316L Stainless Steel?
316L is a specific grade of austenitic stainless steel — a family of steel alloys known for their corrosion resistance and non-magnetic properties. The "316" designation indicates its chemical composition: primarily iron, with chromium (16–18%), nickel (10–14%) and molybdenum (2–3%). The "L" stands for low carbon, which improves its resistance to corrosion in welded applications.
Why 316L Specifically?
Not all stainless steel is equal. The grades most commonly used in jewellery are 304 and 316L. Here's how they differ:
- 304 stainless steel — the most common grade, used in kitchen equipment and industrial applications. Good corrosion resistance in most environments, but less resistant to chloride environments (seawater, sweat, certain cleaners).
- 316L stainless steel — the addition of molybdenum gives it significantly better resistance to chloride corrosion. Used in surgical instruments, marine hardware, food processing equipment and medical implants. The "L" (low carbon) variant is preferred for applications involving extended body contact.
Medical and Marine Grade — What That Means
316L is often called "surgical grade" or "marine grade" steel because those industries use it where failure isn't acceptable. Surgical implants, bone screws and dental hardware are made from 316L because it doesn't corrode inside the body. Marine hardware is made from it because it withstands constant saltwater exposure without degrading.
For jewellery, this means a base metal that genuinely resists the environments it encounters every day — sweat, salt, chlorine, moisture — rather than slowly degrading over months of wear.
Is 316L Hypoallergenic?
Yes. While 316L does contain nickel as part of its alloy, the nickel is bound tightly within the steel matrix and doesn't leach in the way that nickel-based plating metals do. The vast majority of people with nickel sensitivities can wear 316L stainless steel without reaction. It's widely used in medical implants that remain inside the body indefinitely.
316L + PVD Gold
On its own, 316L stainless steel looks like — steel. The gold appearance comes from the PVD coating process, which bonds 18k gold to the steel surface at a molecular level. The combination gives you the structural properties of 316L (corrosion resistance, hypoallergenic, durable) with the appearance of high-quality gold jewellery.
This is what we build every piece in The Arcive collection from. Not because it's the cheapest option — it isn't — but because it's the right one.