What is Titanium?
Titanium (Ti, atomic number 22) is a lustrous silver-white metallic element used principally to make lightweight, resistant alloys. Titanium metal and its alloys are light in weight and have very high tensile strength, even at high temperatures. These metals are utilized in aircraft, spacecraft, naval ships, guided missiles, and lightweight armor plate for tanks.
Titanium has many desirable properties of notable strength and durability and is immune to corrosive attacks by saltwater and marine atmosphere and exhibits exceptional resistance to a broad range of corrosive gases, acids and alkalis. Pure titanium is as strong as steel yet nearly 50% lighter. With all its properties, titanium is perfect material for making a durable and jewelry, say, ring, pendant . . . etc.
Titanium is inert.
Titanium has been embraced by the medical world for its superior biocompatibility, and is the preferred material for surgical instruments and implants. Titanium is inert and therefore completely corrosion resistant. It does not react to salt water, sunlight or any body chemistry and Titanium (Deletion) is 100% hypoallergenic. Titanium is the preferred material for surgical tools, implants, pacemaker cases and other internal casings. It won't react with any part of the body, making it a great choice for even those persons most sensitive to other materials. When a person has an allergic reaction when wearing a pair of gold or silver earrings due to the alloys, it is recommended that they switch over to titanium earrings. And unlike silver, titanium will never tarnish! (Deletion) Persons with allergic reactions when wearing gold or silver earrings is recommended to switch over to titanium earrings.
Titanium is extremely durable and strong.
Titanium is more resistant and has the highest strength to weight ratio of ANY known element, which is why 85% of the Space Shuttles structure is titanium. In fact that is why many titanium ring manufacturers have a lifetime warranty. (Deletion) In jewelry applications, titanium's strength allows for design capabilities that were otherwise impossible. For example, tension set rings made with titanium provides maximum security for the stone. Softer materials such as gold, silver and platinum cannot make this claim! In fact, even the softest forms of titanium start with over 30,000 psi tension, much more than platinum. (Deletion) Titanium can be worn throughout active and demanding lifestyles without concern for the excessive wear and tear that would be exhibited by gold and platinum.
Titanium is lightweight.
Only slightly heavier than aluminum with the strength of steel, titanium becomes is the quality standard in all fields. With jewelry, titanium's light weight translates into comfort.
Titanium is proven.
Titanium is the fastest growing category in jewelry history. Without exception, titanium has dominated each and every market arena entered. From sports products like bicycles, tennis rackets, golf clubs, to marine hardware, computer cases and jewelry, titanium symbolizes the new standard for quality and reliability.
Titanium is fashionable.
Titanium provides the stylish rich grey tones of platinum at a much more attractive price. Titanium is at the forefront in the designer jewelry community. No other metal has experienced such a dramatic rise in popularity as titanium.
I have an allergic reaction to most of my jewelry, including gold. Can I wear Titanium?
Absolutely YES ! Titanium is the most biocompatible (hypoallergenic) element known to human being and will not irritate the most sensitive skin. Unlike other jewelry materials, titanium does not need alloys to harden it. Many alloys create negative reactions with our body chemistry yet titanium can be safely and comfortably worn by every one. Our Titanium jewelry is 100% anti-allergic, and is approved by the European Union.
What is the difference between "High Polish" and "Brushed/Satin" finish?
It is basically like it sounds. "High Polish" is a very shiny, high metallic look. It is polished and very smooth allowing the titanium in the piece to really shine. It is the more classic look of the two. "Brushed" is just the opposite. The matt finish look gives more dimensions to the piece and a more industrial feel. You will find many of our designs combine both finishes.
What is Tungsten?
In an extraordinary process, Tungsten and Carbide powders are forged together at 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit to form rings that are virtually indestructible and scratch proof. Then they are polished with a diamond compound, resulting in a polish and shine that will last forever. Tungsten is the perfect combination of unbelievable strength with style and comfort.
Why Tungsten Carbide?
Tungsten is the only rare and exotic metal that can be permanently polished. The polish and finish can last as long as your commitment to each other - 30, 40 or even 50 years!
With gold, platinum rings, you will notice varying degrees of scratching, denting and surface mars. However, with tungsten rings, the surface will maintain it's original beautiful shiny finish.
Many people also enjoy the heavy weight of a tungsten ring. The enduring polish of a tungsten ring together with the solid weight, speak of commitment, security and an everlasting bond.
Hard Facts About Tungsten Carbide Rings.
* Tungsten Rings are the most wear resistant rings available on the planet.
* Tungsten is about 10 times harder than 18K Gold, 5 times harder than tool steel, and 4 times harder than titanium. * Tungsten measures between 8 and 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. (Diamonds are a 10 - the highest.)
* Due to their extreme hardness, Tungsten Rings will hold their shape and shine longer than any ring on the market.
* Tungsten rings have been referred to as the "Permanently Polished Rings".
* Tungsten rings will NOT bend.
* In the event of an emergency, a ring can be removed by a medical professional.
* Each Tungsten ring is individually hand crafted using assorted diamond abrasives and poly crystalline diamond tooling.
* Our Tungsten rings are cobalt free.
The Manufacturing Process of Tungsten.
Tungsten with carbon and other elements are ground into a powder and then compressed with high pressure dies to form a ring blank.
The blank is then fired in an oxygen free furnace at an astounding 6,200 degrees Fahrenheit. This process called sintering creates the hardest metal used for making jewelry.
The ring is then cut and shaped using diamond tools with approximately 30 steps required for completion. The cutting and shaping of a tungsten ring is similar in many ways to the cutting and polishing of a rough diamond.
Tungsten rings inlaid with gold, silver, platinum or mokume gane are created by grinding a channel in the center of the ring and precisely "swedging" the metal into the channel under extreme pressure.
The ring is then skillfully polished with diamond polishing tools and wheels creating a permanent luster and polish not possible with other metals.
A Tungsten Carbide ring will remain polished forever, and is scratch resistant. It is a unique metal that epitomizes today's man more than any other.
Emergency Removal of Tungsten Rings
Rings made of extremely hard materials, like tungsten carbide or ceramic, can only be removed by cracking them into pieces with standard vice grip–style locking pliers. Standard ring cutters will not work.
Place vice grip–style locking pliers over ring and adjust the jaws to clamp lightly. Release and adjust tightener one-third turn and then clamp again. Repeat until a crack is heard, and then continue clamping in different positions until the hard material breaks away. Take care not to slide or rotate the cracked ring on the finger. If the ring contains an inlay of gold, the exposed gold can then be cut or clipped in the usual fashion.
