About Titanium Wedding Bands
Choosing a wedding band can be confusing because so many different metals, colors and styles are available, and you probably want your wedding rings to last forever. Sturdy and lightweight, titanium is available in many colors and is a favorite among those who are allergic to gold or nickel. Does this Spark an idea?
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Titanium
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Titanium is a metal that is known for its strength and low density. It is as strong as steel but only 53 percent as heavy. It is used to make not only jewelry but also airplanes and spacecraft, automobiles, golf clubs, and other things that need to be sturdy and light at the same time. Since it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic, it is also used to make many medical implants and prosthetics.
Appearance
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In addition to being light, strong and hypoallergenic, titanium is available in many colors. This is because titanium reacts with oxygen, creating an oxide "film" on the jewelry's exterior. The film reflects and refracts light, giving it color. When a jeweler changes the thickness of this film using a special heat process, the color changes from the titanium's natural whitish-gray to various shades of blue or purple, or black. This color cannot fade or be chipped, but it can be scratched away, in which case the whitish-gray interior will be revealed. If this happens to your wedding band, your jeweler can repair the color.
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Advantages
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Many couples who might otherwise choose traditional gold or white gold wedding bands choose titanium because one or both members of the couple are allergic to gold (or other precious metals such as silver). Gold and silver are often mixed with nickel, which causes skin irritation for many; whereas, titanium is usually made into rings in its pure form, or from a nickel-free alloy.
Compared to other jewelry-making metals, titanium is resistant to dents, scratches, corrosion (such as from acid or seawater) and erosion (such as from constant wear). It is much lighter than gold or platinum.
Disadvantages
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If you buy a wedding band in a colored titanium (say, blue), the color can be scratched away. If this happens, the titanium will "heal" itself by instantly making a new oxide film, but the new film will show as titanium's natural whitish-gray color, not blue. The ring as a whole will be sturdier than, say, a gold ring, but the color needs care.
Because it is so hard, titanium is tough for jewelers to work with; therefore they can't be as flexible in their designs as they would be with other metals. Titanium rings also cannot be resized.
Cost
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Although titanium itself if cheaper than, say, gold, since it is difficult for jewelers to work with, titanium wedding bands or often more expensive than their gold counterparts. The price usually goes up if you ask for colored titanium.
Care
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To clean titanium wedding rings, use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Don't use strong detergents or toothpaste. It's best not to wear the ring while doing activities that might scratch the ring, especially if your ring is colored. Other care instructions, such as how to keep the ring shiny, depends on the color and type of finish you have on your ring, and whether there are pieces made with other metals, so ask your jeweler how you can keep the ring looking as luminous as possible.
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References
- Photo Credit wedding ring image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
