Titanium Engagement Rings - An Introduction
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Engagement rings and bands are made from all types of metals. Some of the most
popular rings are made from yellow gold, white gold, silver, and platinum.
A less well-known metal used for engagement rings is titanium. Couples occasionally
choose titanium engagement rings over more popular metals. Let’s learn a bit about
titanium to find out why.
Titanium is Discovered
Titanium has been around for a few hundred years. It was discovered in 1791 by a geologist in England. The geologist’s name was William Gregor, and he discovered titanium by accident. According to historians, Gregor noticed a new element while examining black sand near a stream. He was surprised to see that the sand was magnetic, which was out of the ordinary.
On further examination, Gregor discovered the sand contained an element he’d never seen. He later reported his findings to the geological community. In 1795 a German chemist, Martin Klaproth, discovered what he thought was a new element. He named his discovery "titanium" after the Titans in Greek mythology. Upon hearing of Gregor’s earlier discovery, Klaproth got a sample and verified that it also contained titanium.
Titanium Today
Titanium has come a long way from those early days. It’s actually more common than
early geologists and chemists realized. Titanium is a metallic element that can
be found in numerous places. Among them are coal ash, plants, and the human body.
There’s definitely not a shortage of titanium. So why aren’t titanium
engagement rings more popular?
Titanium engagement rings aren’t very popular because titanium isn’t easy to work
with. It’s a strong metal, much stronger than gold or silver. Because of its strength,
it doesn’t shape easily. Gold or silver can be shaped into a piece of jewelry
fairly easily. Titanium, on the other hand, takes twice as long to shape. That
often makes it inconvenient to use for jewelry. It is impossible to resize a titanium
ring and they do dull and show scratches easily.
However, titanium is used in numerous everyday items. You’re probably using some of these items right now. They include golf clubs, aircraft, watches, eyeglasses, and bicycle frames to name a few. But if you’re reading this article, you’re obviously interested in hearing about titanium engagement rings.
Titanium For Use in Jewelry and Rings
As stated earlier, titanium is a hard metal. It’s actually harder than gold or silver. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. The pros to using titanium in an engagement ring outweigh the cons. Consider the following:
- Titanium is hypoallergenic. It won’t irritate sensitive skin or cause breakouts.
- Titanium is resistant to decay. An engagement ring made from titanium will last longer than one made from metals such as gold or silver.
- Although titanium is a strong metal, it’s also light-weight.
- Titanium rings are very inexpensive.
Titanium Engagement Rings For Men
Men tend to favor titanium engagement rings over those made from other metals. This could be because it has a deep gray tint, and is darker than white gold or silver. Darker colors are usually associated with masculinity, so that makes titanium a perfect choice for a man’s engagement ring.
Titanium engagement rings can also withstand more wear and tear. If it’s worn during sports or any type of rough activity, it’s less likely to be damaged. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be damaged. However, this strength doesn’t come without its drawbacks.
Titanium isn’t easy to shape, so it can limit the types of styles available. If you’re interested in intricate patterns, you probably should avoid titanium. It also can’t be soldered, so certain types of settings won’t work.
For example, the popular prong setting doesn’t work with titanium. Instead the prongs must be made from another metal, and then riveted to the titanium band. On a brighter note, bezel, channel, and flush settings work well with titanium engagement rings.
If you’re interested in titanium, but would like more color choices, then you’re in luck. There are treatments that can cause titanium to turn black, blue, or even purple. Imagine how cool it would look to have a blue band paired with a brilliant clear diamond. It would certainly provide a unique look.
To maintain colored titanium engagement rings, the coloring process must be repeated. The color starts to wear off over time. When the color begins to wear off, it doesn’t mean the ring is decaying. It’s just a matter of fading color, similar to a dyed shirt after too many washes.
Finding Titanium Engagement Rings
Titanium engagement rings aren’t widely available from Novori like rings made from gold or silver. However, some jewelry stores do carry a small selection of titanium rings. It’s easier to locate titanium rings online or by special order.
Titanium is abundant, so it isn’t as expensive as gold, silver, or even platinum. But titanium engagement rings are usually expensive because they’re not easy to make. Titanium is hard and can easily wear down a jeweler’s tools. If you want a titanium engagement ring, it’s advisable to stick with a plain design. Elaborate designs are cheaper when used with gold, silver, or platinum.
Although titanium is more durable than most metals, it also needs care. You don’t have to worry about rust or tarnish, but titanium can get scratched. As with any ring, it’s best to store it in a secure place when it’s not being worn. And when taking the ring for repairs, ask if the repairer is skilled with titanium.
Titanium engagement rings are worth the money. They look good, are durable, and
lightweight. The thing to remember is that titanium isn’t easy to shape. Your
style choices won’t be as diverse as with gold, silver, or platinum. But other
than that, titanium is just as good as any other metal used for jewelry. If you
need assistance finding a ring that is not made from titanium, we would be glad
to assist you. Call us toll free at 1-877-877-4141 and let us show you engagement
rings made from other popular metals.
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