Titanium Jewelry & Other Titanium Uses
Titanium was discovered in 1971 in Cornwall, England by William Gregor, an amateur geologist. In its pure form it is a silvery-white, lustrous metal. It is resistant to corrosion and is as strong as steel while being about half as dense. Titanium does indeed have a myriad of uses, from propeller shafts to paint pigments. It is used in aquarium heaters because it’s resistant to water and in sunscreen because it doesn’t fade in sunlight and is light reflective. Light reflection is also the reason it’s used for coating glass. Its light weight makes it ideal for creating less heavy versions of anything where weight is an issue, such as computers, eyeglass frames, bicycles, golf clubs and helmets. Because it is less dense and stronger than steel, titanium is used to create metal alloys, making a stronger yet lighter material that is especially useful in building airplanes, spacecrafts, and missiles.
Titanium does not react with body tissues and fluids, making it very useful in creating items that come in direct contact with the human body, such as artificial limbs. This also makes titanium an excellent candidate for use in jewelry because it is hypoallergenic, meaning it won't cause skin irritation, so you won't get rashes which sometimes occurs with cheap jewelry.
Because it is so dense, titanium holds its shape extremely well, making gold and even silver pale in comparison. It is also dent and scratch resistant. This makes titanium rings especially attractive to people who work with their hands a lot, as they show little sign of wear over time. If you prefer your jewelry to be on the lighter side, titanium is a great choice over other metals, especially platinum, which can be quite heavy. Perhaps the greatest asset titanium lends to jewelry making is that it is not a precious metal, making it significantly cheaper than gold, silver or platinum.
For those who are a little non-traditional, titanium rings and titanium wedding bands make a great alternative to more classic metals, as they come in a wide array of colors, including black. The metal can also be tinted other colors; this is done through oxidation, which causes a reaction in the metal and changes the light reflecting properties. Titanium can also be engraved and finished in a variety of different textures. Since it doesn't rust or change color, you can expect your titanium jewelry to last a lifetime!
Titanium does not react with body tissues and fluids, making it very useful in creating items that come in direct contact with the human body, such as artificial limbs. This also makes titanium an excellent candidate for use in jewelry because it is hypoallergenic, meaning it won't cause skin irritation, so you won't get rashes which sometimes occurs with cheap jewelry.
Because it is so dense, titanium holds its shape extremely well, making gold and even silver pale in comparison. It is also dent and scratch resistant. This makes titanium rings especially attractive to people who work with their hands a lot, as they show little sign of wear over time. If you prefer your jewelry to be on the lighter side, titanium is a great choice over other metals, especially platinum, which can be quite heavy. Perhaps the greatest asset titanium lends to jewelry making is that it is not a precious metal, making it significantly cheaper than gold, silver or platinum.
For those who are a little non-traditional, titanium rings and titanium wedding bands make a great alternative to more classic metals, as they come in a wide array of colors, including black. The metal can also be tinted other colors; this is done through oxidation, which causes a reaction in the metal and changes the light reflecting properties. Titanium can also be engraved and finished in a variety of different textures. Since it doesn't rust or change color, you can expect your titanium jewelry to last a lifetime!