If you have very sensitive skin to most metals or only noticed that your skin seems to be irritated by most of your jewelry, research and recommendations from your friends and the internet may have pointed you in the direction of jewelry made of titanium.
Unfortunately, you are also aware that just knowing that titanium rings could be a good alternative, or your safety net is not enough. If you are like us, you will spend a good chunk of your time researching the pros, cons, and everything you need to know about the titanium rings before you buy them.
After all, these rings don’t come cheap. With you in mind, we spent time researching and talking to manufacturers about titanium rings and their safety, and this article outlines all you need to know about titanium rings. We’ll also dispel myths about titanium rings.
So, let’s get into it!
Facts and Myths about Titanium Rings
Myth 1: Titanium rings are unsafe in emergencies
You’ve probably heard this one too: that titanium rings are too hard and impossible to cut off during emergencies, which may mean that your finger would have to be cut off horrifically.
This is untrue, and a misconception that we believe comes from titanium being a high-strength metal.
And so, in the unfortunate event of an accident, the titanium ring will be removed from your finger safely.
Myth 2 – Titanium Rings are 100% Scratch & Dent Resistant
The most vital selling point of titanium rings is that these rings are very strong and durable.
And it is a fact that it is very hard to scratch a ring made of titanium or for the surfaces you knock the ring on to dent it.
But this is only when titanium is compared with other metals like gold.
The truth about titanium is that titanium will not stay scratch-free forever despite its strength and hardness.
If you expose your titanium ring to a lot of pressure and external force, albeit constantly, it will develop scratch marks, but this doesn’t happen as first as it does with metals like gold or silver.
Myth 3 – It’s Impossible to Engrave Titanium Rings
There is no doubt that thoughts about just how strong titanium are made this something that many people believe to be true.
It is a myth, though, and the truth is that you can have your titanium rings custom engraved. Engraving the ring is one of the popular services that jewelers offer today.
However, note that even the jewelers admit to the engraving of titanium rings being one of the most challenging tasks they take on, especially when they compare it to engraving malleable metals such as gold. However, engraving titanium rings is easier than tungsten rings.
Myth 4 – Titanium Rings Cannot Be Resized
Like myth #2 above, this is only partially true. You need to know that while the ring can be resized, especially when you need the size reduced, it can be very challenging and pretty much impossible to resize the ring upwards.
This happens because titanium rings, unlike other rings, are made from solid titanium pieces, and you cannot meltdown titanium as you would other metals.
So, in many instances where the ring needs to be resized upwards, the only thing that the jeweler would have to do to make this possible would be to shave the inside of your band by about half a size. A very skillful jeweler must do even this. And so, if you need to increase your ring size by more than half a size, you may have to buy a new ring.
The same challenge is faced when you need your ring size reduced. Melting is impossible, and a section of the ring would have to be cut off then, then ends joined together by other methods.
Myth 5 – Titanium Rings are 100% Hypoallergenic
This might be a common myth, but it is a known fact; that titanium is one of the highly hypoallergenic metals. Titanium is the recommended jewelry metal for people allergic to gold, silver, stainless steel, and other metals.
And thanks to the powerful hypoallergenic properties of this metal, titanium is used in medical settings, as medical-grade titanium, for example, as hip replacements.
Note that for the case of hypoallergenic titanium jewelry, medical-grade or high-grade titanium must be used, not the lower-grade titanium alloys that may have metallic components that would undermine the hypoallergenic properties of titanium.
What are titanium rings made of?
Titanium rings are made out of solid titanium bars, but in other cases, they are made of sheets or tubes of titanium that jewelers can cut into the desired ring size and shape.
Titanium rings could also be machined using the same kind of equipment used in other engineering processes like that for stainless steel.
What about black titanium rings?
These rings are created using an amorphous diamond-like material, which gives the rings their characteristic black color, which melds well with the surface of the titanium.
Thanks to this diamond-like carbon, also called DLC, a hard and durable protective surface that gives the titanium ring its scratch resistance.
Note that despite the coating not being diamonds, the layer is made predominantly of carbon bonded like carbon particles in diamonds, hence the name diamond-like carbon.
The black carbon coating is completely unreactive, so black titanium rings are completely hypoallergenic. This titanium ring is mainly scratch-resistant, it will not fade, and the color doesn’t change over time.
Are titanium rings safe to wear?
With all the information we now have about titanium rings, can we say that these rings are safe, especially for individuals with sensitive skin?
Well, yes. Titanium rings are safe because they are crafted out of solid, medical-grade titanium free of allergens like nickel.
The high-grade titanium used in high-quality titanium rings is the same as what’s used for medical implants and joints – it is biocompatible and safe.
Are titanium rings safe for electricians?
Although titanium rings are very safe for individuals with sensitive skin, they are not to be worn by electricians or individuals working in environments where they come in contact with heat and electricity.
Despite being hypoallergenic, titanium is one of the best conductors of electricity, so electricians should not wear titanium rings.
Pros and cons of titanium rings
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong and boast great scratch-resistance
- They are long-lasting, and they retain their color for pretty much your lifetime or longer
- Titanium rings are safe and hypoallergenic
Cons
- Challenges resizing titanium rings
- They don’t have that brilliant sparkle of white gold
Tips for wearing titanium rings safely
- Don’t wear your titanium ring to work if you are an electrician
- Get a ring that is half a size smaller or bigger, depending on your ring size and how well the ring fits.
- Avoid low-quality titanium rings that are alloyed because these may have metals that cause allergies like nickel.
- Clean your titanium ring regularly to reduce the appearance of scratch marks. You could use ammonia, Windex, warm water and soap, or an ultrasonic cleaner.
- Don’t swim with the ring on
- Take off the ring when engaging in an activity that would expose the ring to damage, hits, or bumps.
Conclusion
High-quality titanium rings, including the black titanium rings, are made of solid titanium, free of metals like nickel.
This means that the rings are safe for anyone with sensitive skin, except for electricians on duty.
Read more jewelry metal posts here or here!
Tiger is a fashion&jewelry lover. He is also a fashion jewelry manufacturer that help thousands of small business to grow and also do business with some big fashion jewelry brands. He is a truly metal expert and he will share some information you are looking for.