Titanium Rings - A Brief Outline

The popularity of the titanium ring has grown significantly since the metal became commonly available on the jewelry market in the early 1990s.  Titanium is an increasingly popular material for jewelry thanks to the unique properties of the metal - it is hypoallergenic, very light, resistant to corrosion and rust, and is very hard.  These properties have made the titanium ring a preferred choice for wedding bands, especially for men.

The popularity of the titanium ring has grown significantly since the metal became commonly available on the jewelry market in the early 1990s.  Titanium is an increasingly popular material for jewelry thanks to the unique properties of the metal - it is hypoallergenic, very light, resistant to corrosion and rust, and is very hard.  These properties have made the titanium ring a preferred choice for wedding bands, especially for men.

The processing of raw titanium into a metal that can be used for jewelry takes several steps, since the metal requires special processing using what is known as the Kroll process.  Once titanium is processed, it can be used for a wide variety of purposes- sporting goods like golf clubs and bicycle parts, eyeglass frames, orthopedic implants and surgical tools, and aerospace equipment are just a few of the industries where titanium is used.  Because titanium is such a strong metal, it requires special tools in order to create jewelry.  A titanium ring starts as a solid bar or sheet of titanium, which is then machined using special equipment into a ring. 

Titanium has developed a following among people who work in jobs that would normally damage rings made of traditional materials like gold and silver.  People who are exposed to sea water, certain chemicals or who work in environments like construction, law enforcement, and automotive fields find that titanium offers advantages over other materials.  Because titanium is such a hard material, it doesn’t get scratched or dented the way softer metals often do.  If a titanium ring does become scratched, the protective oxide layer on the top of the ring restores itself which removes the appearance of a scratch.  The hypoallergenic quality of titanium that makes an ideal for medical applications is another reason that titanium is popular for jewelry - titanium is unlikely to cause skin irritation which is sometimes experienced by those who wear other materials. 

Many people choose a titanium ring either as a wedding band or simply as a beautiful piece of jewelry thanks to the wide range of styles and colors that are offered.  Titanium in its pure form is a silvery color, but the chemical properties of titanium allow rings to be anodized in many different colors.  In some cases, the entire ring is anodized in a single metallic shade, in others, a design is created in one or more colors.  The process of anodizing a titanium ring permanently implants the color in the metal of the ring, meaning that it will not wear off the way plating on other metals does.  For those who want a titanium ring with a design, there are a large number of different designs available.  A design that is part of a titanium ring is nearly impossible to wear off, which is another reason that many people choose this metal.  Manufacturers also offer titanium rings that have gemstones or other inlaid materials.

The trend of wearing a titanium ring rather than a gold or silver band is likely to continue growing as people find that they enjoy the strength and durability of these bands.  The versatility of the metal in different applications means that the price of titanium is likely to remain stable, making titanium an affordable choice.

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