Since the late 1990's titanium jewelry has continued to grow in popularity mainly due to its stylish, durable, lightweight nature. In particular this shiny, lustrous metal is becoming one of the top choices of materials for men's rings, including wedding bands. It differs in some way from other common metals such as gold, so when one is shopping for mens titanium rings it's a good idea to understand some basic facts about it.
Naturally occurring, this metal has a shiny, pale gray color. Its appearance may be changed using various techniques to alter its finish. It is known primarily for its notably high strength to weight ratio, which means that it is superior in strength but at the same time very light in weight. Although it can be made to hold a gemstone and shaped into numerous designs, its level of hardness somewhat limits this possibility.
The nature of this metal appeals to both sexes, but to many men in particular since they appreciate both its clean-cut, sleek appearance and also its practicality. This metal is essentially unbreakable and will survive most wear and tear, it is hypoallergenic, does not get hot and burn one's finger easily, and its manufacture is minimally destructive to the environment. These rings are available in a wide range of prices too.
As with other metals used to craft jewelry, titanium is classified into grades 1 through 4 according to its hardness. Quality rings are typically made "commercially pure" metal which has minimal added alloys and is 99 percent titanium. Most pieces are fashioned from grade 2 to 4 metal which offers superb scratch-resistant durability while still allowing for resizing and engraving if desired.
Promoted as "aircraft grade" some rings feature the addition of aluminum and vanadium for extra fortification and superior strength. This may sound enticing to some buyers, however they should understand that this extra hardness will likely mean that the ring cannot be engraved or resized, and in an emergency it may be rather difficult to remove.
There are also black titanium rings which are quite striking in appearance. The process used to color the metal black varies; they may be treated in such a way that transform the color, or simply have an ion or black-colored plating applied. If a black ring is desired, it's best to choose the former, which use either heat of silicon dioxide to turn the metal black, as the latter are prone to chipping over time.
A ring may also feature a combination of titanium and another metal in its design. The best choices in this category are those which have an actual inlaid strip of gold, silver or another metal, those with plating on the outside tend to scratch easily and wear away eventually, requiring buffing to restore them. Plated jewelry needs a bit more care.
When looking for the best retailer, it's advisable to purchase from a store which guarantees its work and preferably provides customers with a 30-day refund policy as well. In general it is smart to carefully choose a ring that is the proper size, which for most men will be in the 6 to 10 millimeter range, but in case resizing is a consideration in the future, selecting a design that allows this or asking about a lifetime exchange policy is recommended.
Naturally occurring, this metal has a shiny, pale gray color. Its appearance may be changed using various techniques to alter its finish. It is known primarily for its notably high strength to weight ratio, which means that it is superior in strength but at the same time very light in weight. Although it can be made to hold a gemstone and shaped into numerous designs, its level of hardness somewhat limits this possibility.
The nature of this metal appeals to both sexes, but to many men in particular since they appreciate both its clean-cut, sleek appearance and also its practicality. This metal is essentially unbreakable and will survive most wear and tear, it is hypoallergenic, does not get hot and burn one's finger easily, and its manufacture is minimally destructive to the environment. These rings are available in a wide range of prices too.
As with other metals used to craft jewelry, titanium is classified into grades 1 through 4 according to its hardness. Quality rings are typically made "commercially pure" metal which has minimal added alloys and is 99 percent titanium. Most pieces are fashioned from grade 2 to 4 metal which offers superb scratch-resistant durability while still allowing for resizing and engraving if desired.
Promoted as "aircraft grade" some rings feature the addition of aluminum and vanadium for extra fortification and superior strength. This may sound enticing to some buyers, however they should understand that this extra hardness will likely mean that the ring cannot be engraved or resized, and in an emergency it may be rather difficult to remove.
There are also black titanium rings which are quite striking in appearance. The process used to color the metal black varies; they may be treated in such a way that transform the color, or simply have an ion or black-colored plating applied. If a black ring is desired, it's best to choose the former, which use either heat of silicon dioxide to turn the metal black, as the latter are prone to chipping over time.
A ring may also feature a combination of titanium and another metal in its design. The best choices in this category are those which have an actual inlaid strip of gold, silver or another metal, those with plating on the outside tend to scratch easily and wear away eventually, requiring buffing to restore them. Plated jewelry needs a bit more care.
When looking for the best retailer, it's advisable to purchase from a store which guarantees its work and preferably provides customers with a 30-day refund policy as well. In general it is smart to carefully choose a ring that is the proper size, which for most men will be in the 6 to 10 millimeter range, but in case resizing is a consideration in the future, selecting a design that allows this or asking about a lifetime exchange policy is recommended.