Titanium Rings Pros and Cons
We are all familiar with the element titanium and its metal form, which has been used in all kinds of products right from aircraft to medical implants. Titanium's incredible strength, durability and lightness has enabled it to pave its way into the jewelry industry as well. Today, titanium is used to make eyeglass frames, watches, earrings, bracelets and rings. Titanium rings have become popular wedding bands since the last decade. Titanium jewelry is very comfortable to wear, since the metal itself is light. However, the first few titanium pieces were gunmetal gray in color and less attractive, which is why most consumers were not attracted to this metal.
However, time and technology brought about incredible changes to the earlier version. The evolved version is silver gray in color, is 3 times stronger than steel and much stronger than platinum, gold and silver. Today titanium is available in a broad spectrum of colors, right from purple, blue, night sky, black rainbow, sunburst colors, blue moon and solar ash, besides the natural titanium shade. This color effect on titanium is achieved by the process of oxidation. For those of you who wish to know more about how good these rings are, let us consider the titanium rings pros and cons.
Pros of Titanium Rings
Lightweight: People who avoid wearing jewelry because they are heavy, bulky and bothersome, for them titanium jewelry is just perfect. Men who aren't accustomed to wearing rings, can opt for titanium rings as their wedding bands. As compared to a gold or silver ring, these rings are far lighter.
Strong: Besides being light, titanium is also strong, which is basically why they are used for space shuttles, medical instruments and airplanes. So one can be self assured that titanium rings will make strong wedding bands. Moreover, this strength also prevents it from giving way to pressure, thereby becoming an ideal setting for embedding stones.
Hypoallergenic: The word 'hypoallergenic' means causing less allergic reactions. Several people are allergic to metals like gold and silver. However, titanium is a nonferrous material, thus is a virtually safe metal for everybody.
Corrosion Resistant and Durable: Normal wear does not tarnish titanium rings. Unlike gold jewelry, which wears down, titanium will hold strong over the years, revealing minimal wear down. This quality makes titanium a suitable metal for wedding bands. Couples who are interested in a more symbolic wedding band can opt for this metal. Titanium rings can be re-oxidized if they get scratched.
Style and Selection: Today titanium rings are available with set stones, die cut type, paired with white gold or gold. Thus, locating a suitable fashionable piece should not be very difficult. Moreover, since titanium is not very expensive, one need not worry about the expenses. Ever found a really gorgeous looking piece of jewelry, only to be disappointed by the phone number sized digits on the price tag! Well stylish and affordable titanium jewelry that suit one tastes are available, leaving little room for disappointment.
Cons of Titanium Rings
Re-sizing Problems: Titanium is so strong, that it cannot be re-sized. Therefore, those intending to get titanium engagement rings ought to make sure the measurements are properly taken. Or else, when the ring's done you will find yourself stuck with a ring that does not fit. You will probably have to wear it as a pendant on your necklace then. However, to avoid all these issues, check with the jeweler if you can exchange the ring in case of a misfit due to weight fluctuations. This is a major drawback for those planning to have titanium rings as wedding bands.
Less Shine and Less Expensive: As compared to gold, silver and platinum jewelry, titanium features a less shiny appearance. So buyers often disregard titanium jewelry for their lack of luster. Moreover, who ever thought the low price factor could work against titanium rings. The affordability factor has made them less popular and less sought after amongst the elite class. The low price factor also make titanium rings lose points when it comes to be chosen as wedding bands.
Safety Issues: Many professional jewelers claim that titanium rings can be easily cut off from the finger like any other ring in case of accidents and emergencies. However, a titanium ring takes longer time to be cut off. In cases where titanium jewelry has been used for nose, bellybutton, eyebrow or ear piercing rings one can develop allergic reactions if titanium alloy has been used to make them. The metal it is alloyed with can spearhead allergic reactions, this is why it is important to be cautious and alert with regards to the purity of titanium used. Certain incidents have also been reported where individuals have injured their fingers since their wedding rings have been made of titanium, it cannot be cut off without injuring the hand.
Whether a titanium ring is suitable for you or not will depend on your personal choice. Those who want fancy engagement rings like diamond rings, will not be satisfied by the less lustrous and comparatively simpler titanium rings. However, those seeking attractive, fairly inexpensive, yet unusual rings can go for these kinds. Keeping the above mentioned pros and cons in mind, one can arrive at the final decision.
