The Uses of Steel in Jewelry Making

• Even sensitive skin shouldn't react when in contact with steel jewelry. Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

  Many pieces of jewelry can be made from steel. Different types of steel are used which are easily bent into shape and allow for the creation of precise details. Jewelry made from steel is especially good for people with sensitive skin or allergies, since it doesn't irritate the skin. Steel jewelry is usually nickel free and hypoallergenic, despite the fact that its jewelry made from metal. Jewelry made from steel can be cleaned using everyday products such as baking soda or lemon, or a steel jewelry cleaner.

Low-carbon Steel

• Steel is an alloy composed mostly of iron. Carbon steel is not useful in jewelry-making because of its hardness. Low-carbon steel is softer and therefore flexible. It is useful in jewelry-making since it can be formed into shape when heated. Also known as mild steel, low-carbon steel is inexpensive and can be used for a variety of projects. Hardware stores sell annealed mild steel or low-carbon steel as a wire which will last a long time, as well as jump rings which are also useful to jewelry artists.

Stainless Steel

• A form of steel with a bit of chromium, which doesn't stain, tarnish or rust as regular steel does, stainless steel is used quite often in jewelry making. Its popularity as a jewelry-making metal has risen tremendously in the 21st century. This alloy is low-maintenance and inexpensive. It comes in the form of wire, cable or sheets, and as chains or pendants. Stainless steel is used by jewelry artists for various jewelry designs including chainmaille. Chainmaille jewelry is made from weaving together rings in a given pattern to form bracelets, necklaces, pendants, rings, earrings and chains.

Galvanized Steel

• Galvanized steel can also be used for chainmaille jewelry as well as other jewelry-making projects. This form of steel has an outer layer of zinc which prevents it from rusting over time. Galvanized steel comes in the form of jump rings as well as small jewelry components which can be used for a variety of jewelry styles.

Surgical Steel

• Although it's considered an allergy-free metal, surgical steel may cause skin reactions due to the nickel included in its composition. This hypoallergenic metal is often used for body-piercing jewelry, such as earrings and body jewelry. Surgical steel is recommended for some people with sensitive skin, but it may also cause an allergic skin reaction in others.