If you've ever bought a beautiful piece of gold jewellery only to find it has changed colour, left a mark on your skin or lost its shine, you may have wondered what you were actually buying.
When shopping for gold-coloured jewellery, two materials you will often come across are stainless steel and brass.
They can look remarkably similar when they're finished in gold, but underneath that beautiful surface, they are very different materials.
So, stainless steel vs brass — what's the difference, and which is better for everyday jewellery?
Let's take a closer look.
What is stainless steel jewellery?
Stainless steel is a durable metal alloy made primarily from iron, with chromium and other elements added to improve its resistance to corrosion and wear.
It has become increasingly popular in jewellery because it is strong, durable and naturally resistant to rust and corrosion.
For gold jewellery, stainless steel can also be finished with a gold-coloured coating, such as PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition), to create the warm appearance of gold while retaining the strength of the underlying steel.
At Vivienne Gold, selected pieces are made using premium stainless steel with 18K PVD gold plating, giving you the luxurious appearance of gold with a durable stainless-steel foundation.
What is brass jewellery?
Brass is an alloy primarily made from copper and zinc.
It has been used for jewellery and decorative objects for centuries and is popular because it is relatively inexpensive, easy to work with and naturally has a warm, golden appearance.
Brass can also be plated or coated to create a gold finish.
The important thing to understand is that the gold colour you see doesn't necessarily tell you what is underneath.
A piece that looks like gold may have brass underneath the surface.
Stainless steel vs brass: the key differences
1. Durability
One of the biggest differences is the durability of the underlying metal.
Stainless steel is known for being strong and resistant to corrosion, making it well suited to jewellery designed for regular wear.
Brass is softer and can be more susceptible to oxidation and changes in appearance over time.
This doesn't mean every brass piece will deteriorate quickly — quality, plating, thickness and how the jewellery is worn all matter.
But the underlying material is an important consideration when you're choosing everyday jewellery.
2. Tarnishing and oxidation
This is one of the questions we're asked most often:
Does stainless steel jewellery tarnish?
Stainless steel is naturally resistant to corrosion and oxidation, which is one reason it is so popular for everyday jewellery.
Brass behaves differently.
Because brass contains copper, it can oxidise over time. This can cause the metal to become darker or develop a duller appearance.
If brass jewellery is plated with gold, the gold finish can initially hide the underlying brass. As that finish wears, however, the base metal may become more noticeable.
This is one reason the construction of a piece of jewellery matters just as much as its appearance.
3. Can brass turn your skin green?
You may have experienced this before.
You take off a ring or bracelet and notice a green or dark mark on your skin.
This can happen with jewellery containing copper, including brass.
The copper can react with moisture, sweat, oils and the natural chemistry of your skin, producing compounds that can leave a temporary discolouration.
It isn't necessarily a sign that the jewellery is dangerous or that something is wrong with your skin.
It's simply a reaction between the metal and its environment.
Stainless steel is generally less likely to cause this type of reaction, particularly when compared with copper-rich alloys such as brass.
4. Is stainless steel better for sensitive skin?
This is where things become a little more complicated.
No jewellery material can honestly be described as suitable for every single person with sensitive skin.
Different people can react to different metals.
However, quality stainless steel jewellery is widely chosen by people who prefer a durable metal that is less likely to react than some other jewellery alloys.
Some Vivienne Gold pieces are made from stainless steel selected for its durability and comfortable everyday wear.
If you have a known metal allergy, always check the specific materials used in the individual piece before purchasing.
5. Does stainless steel jewellery look cheap?
This is one misconception we'd love to change.
Stainless steel doesn't automatically mean inexpensive-looking.
The appearance of jewellery depends on much more than the base metal.
Design, proportions, finish, colour, plating method, craftsmanship and detailing all influence how a piece looks when you wear it.
A beautifully designed piece of stainless steel jewellery can look polished, sophisticated and incredibly luxurious.
That's exactly what we love about it.
The goal isn't to make jewellery that looks like a cheaper version of something else.
It's to create jewellery that looks beautiful in its own right.
What about 18K PVD gold plating?
You may have noticed that some Vivienne Gold pieces are described as 18K PVD gold plated.
PVD stands for Physical Vapour Deposition.
It's a process used to apply a very thin, durable coating to a surface.
When used in jewellery, PVD can provide a gold finish over a suitable base metal such as stainless steel.
One of the reasons it is popular for everyday jewellery is its durability compared with some traditional decorative plating processes.
However, it's important to remember that PVD gold is still a coating — it isn't solid gold.
How long any gold finish lasts depends on the thickness and quality of the coating, the underlying material and how the jewellery is worn and cared for.
So, which is better: stainless steel or brass?
For jewellery intended for regular, everyday wear, stainless steel has some significant advantages.
| Stainless Steel | Brass | |
|---|---|---|
| Durability | Excellent | Good |
| Corrosion resistance | High | Lower |
| Oxidation resistance | High | More prone to oxidation |
| Can change colour | Less likely | More likely |
| Can leave green marks | Less common | More common |
| Suitable for everyday jewellery | Excellent choice | Depends on construction |
| Can be gold finished | Yes | Yes |
| Appearance | Depends on design and finish | Depends on design and finish |
But there is an important caveat:
The base metal isn't the whole story.
The quality of the gold finish, the construction of the jewellery, how thick the coating is and how you care for the piece all matter.
Why we choose stainless steel at Vivienne Gold
We believe everyday jewellery should be beautiful and practical.
You shouldn't have to save your favourite pieces for a special occasion.
That's why many Vivienne Gold designs use stainless steel as their foundation.
Combined with an elegant design and, where specified, an 18K PVD gold finish, it allows us to create jewellery that is polished, feminine and designed for everyday life.
Whether you're heading to the office, meeting friends for lunch, travelling or dressing up for the evening, your jewellery should feel like part of you — not something you constantly have to worry about.
The bottom line
When comparing stainless steel vs brass jewellery, don't judge a piece solely by how it looks in a photograph.
Look underneath the gold.
Ask:
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What is the base metal?
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What type of gold finish is used?
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Is the jewellery designed for everyday wear?
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Is the material suitable for your skin?
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What care does the manufacturer recommend?
Because beautiful jewellery isn't just about how it looks on the day you buy it.
It's about how confidently you can wear it afterwards.
Vivienne Gold — elegant jewellery, designed for real life.