When we were designing the first pieces for ArtByZakia, we had a choice to make. We could use the cheaper metals that much of the costume jewellery industry defaults to. Or we could choose something better.
We chose better. And here is exactly why.
Every piece of ArtByZakia jewellery is made from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, plated in 18K gold, rose gold, or finished in silver or black. This is not the default choice in the personalised jewellery market, it is a deliberate, considered decision based on what we believe our customers deserve.
If you have ever bought a piece of jewellery that turned green after a week, or a gold necklace that left a mark on your skin, or a piece that you loved but could not wear because of sensitivity, this post is for you.
1. It Is Genuinely Waterproof
We mean genuinely. Not "do not get it wet" waterproof. Not "avoid the shower" waterproof. Actually, truly, wear-it-in-the-pool waterproof.
Stainless steel does not react with water the way other metals do. It does not corrode, rust or tarnish when exposed to moisture, which means you can wear your name necklace in the shower, at the beach, in the swimming pool, and on the days when you forget to take it off before washing your hands approximately forty times.
Life is busy. Jewellery that asks you to remember to remove it before every interaction with water is jewellery that will eventually be forgotten on a bathroom shelf. We wanted to make pieces you could actually live in.
"Not 'try to keep it dry' waterproof. Actually wear-it-in-the-pool waterproof."
2. It Does Not Tarnish
Gold-plated jewellery on other bases, brass, copper, zinc alloy, will tarnish. The gold plating gradually wears, the base metal oxidises, and what was once a beautiful piece becomes something you no longer want to wear.
Stainless steel, by contrast, is highly resistant to oxidisation. The 18K plating on our pieces sits on a base that does not react with air or moisture, meaning it retains its colour and shine significantly longer than gold plating on other metals. Customers regularly message us months or even years after purchasing to say their pieces still look brand new, which is exactly what they should say.
One customer told us she had been wearing her Punjabi name necklace every single day for over a year, through everything, and it still looked exactly the same as the day it arrived. That is what we built this for.
3. It Is Hypoallergenic
Nickel allergies are far more common than most people realise, affecting an estimated 10-20% of the population, and disproportionately affecting women. If you have ever found that earrings make your ears itch, that bracelets leave red marks, or that necklaces cause irritation where they rest against your skin, there is a good chance that nickel is the culprit.
Many cheaper metals used in jewellery, including some brass and zinc alloys, contain nickel. 316L surgical-grade stainless steel is nickel-free and hypoallergenic, making it safe for sensitive skin and suitable for everyday, all-day wear.
We designed ArtByZakia pieces to be worn every day, not just for special occasions. That means they had to be gentle enough on skin that wearing them constantly was never an issue. For our customers, that is not a nice-to-have. It is essential.
4. It Holds Engravings Beautifully
This one matters particularly for our engraved collection. Stainless steel is a hard, dense material with a smooth, consistent surface that holds laser engravings with exceptional precision and definition.
When we engrave a name, whether in English, Arabic, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, or any of the other scripts we work in, the lines come out clean, sharp and permanent. There is no fading over time, no blurring of the engraving, no loss of detail. The engraving is there for the life of the piece.
For something as personal as a name, especially a name in a script that requires precise, accurate letterforms, the quality of the surface it is engraved into matters enormously. We will not produce a piece in a material that does not do the script justice.
5. It Makes the Price Make Sense
We are not going to pretend that our pieces are inexpensive. They are not the cheapest personalised jewellery you will find online.
But here is the thing about cheap jewellery: it ends up costing more. You buy a piece for £8, it turns green in three weeks, you buy another, it irritates your skin, you buy another one that looks nothing like the preview image, and before long you have spent £40 on things you do not want to wear.
A piece of ArtByZakia jewellery, cared for correctly, will last for years. Many of our customers come back to us because they want to expand their collection, not because a previous piece broke or tarnished. That is the difference.
We want to be the brand you buy once and love always. The material we chose is the foundation of that promise.
How to Care for Your Pieces
Even with stainless steel, a little care goes a long way. Pat pieces dry after exposure to water or sweat. Store them in the velvet pouch they arrive in when not being worn. Give them a gentle wipe with the polishing cloth included with every order. Avoid contact with harsh chemicals like bleach or chlorine in high concentrations.
For a full guide to getting the most out of your jewellery, visit our jewellery care guide, or browse the FAQs for answers to the most common questions we receive.
