Titanium Rings: Pros and Cons
Getting married is a unique and once in a lifetime (hopefully) moment that everyone should be able to experience. One of the most important aspects is picking the right metal for your wedding ring.
You could go with something classic and timeless like gold, but if you're hurting for cash, titanium is a terrific alternative metal that is both cheap and high quality. Read on for our complete guide on what titanium is and the Pros and Cons of titanium rings.
What is Titanium?
Named after the Titans of Greek mythology, titanium’s strength and durability are extreme. Its discovery dates back to 1791 — over two centuries ago. However, its jewelry application is recent.
Interest in alternative metals for wedding bands has increased lately. It’s what has made titanium’s popularity soar through the roof. Its appearance makes it a desirable substitute for expensive metals like white gold and platinum.
Named after the Titans of Greek mythology, titanium’s strength and durability are extreme. Its discovery dates back to 1791 — over two centuries ago. However, its jewelry application is recent.
Interest in alternative metals for wedding bands has increased lately. It’s what has made titanium’s popularity soar through the roof. Its appearance makes it a desirable substitute for expensive metals like white gold and platinum.
Titanium Alloys
As a jewelry piece, titanium uses an alloy with 90% titanium and generally 10% vanadium and aluminum. The other metals make the former more malleable, because like gold, in its pure state it is too soft to work with.
Titanium’s hardness makes it difficult to resize. It compensates by making maintenance easier. It’s harder to sustain damage and scratches when using this metal as a wedding ring.
As a jewelry piece, titanium uses an alloy with 90% titanium and generally 10% vanadium and aluminum. The other metals make the former more malleable, because like gold, in its pure state it is too soft to work with.
Titanium’s hardness makes it difficult to resize. It compensates by making maintenance easier. It’s harder to sustain damage and scratches when using this metal as a wedding ring.
As a jewelry piece, titanium uses an alloy with 90% titanium and generally 10% vanadium and aluminum. The other metals make the former more malleable, because like gold, in its pure state it is too soft to work with.
Titanium’s hardness makes it difficult to resize. It compensates by making maintenance easier. It’s harder to sustain damage and scratches when using this metal as a wedding ring.
Titanium Wedding Band Designs
In the last decade, the selection of titanium ring designs has expanded. However, the strength of the metal limits the designs jewelers can do.
However, most popular ring finishes are doable with titanium. These include:
- Matte
- Satin
- High-polish
- Hammered
Titanium is also used for inlay designs alongside other metals. For example, you can combine a Titanium band with a precious metal like rose gold or even something as exotic as meteorite.
In the last decade, the selection of titanium ring designs has expanded. However, the strength of the metal limits the designs jewelers can do.
However, most popular ring finishes are doable with titanium. These include:
- Matte
- Satin
- High-polish
- Hammered
Titanium is also used for inlay designs alongside other metals. For example, you can combine a Titanium band with a precious metal like rose gold or even something as exotic as meteorite.
Pros of Titanium Rings
Titanium has lots of advantages that make them excellent wedding bands. We discussed some of these in the sections above. Here are more details:
1. Affordability
The average cost of a groom’s wedding ring is between $389 and $547. However, titanium is one of the most affordable metals around and the average cost of a titanium wedding band is typically less than the normal average.
However, the price depends on the other materials combined with titanium. Materials like gold or precious stones impact the ring’s final price. Regardless, the inexpensive nature of this metal makes it more desirable when you’re on a budget.
The average cost of a groom’s wedding ring is between $389 and $547. However, titanium is one of the most affordable metals around and the average cost of a titanium wedding band is typically less than the normal average.
However, the price depends on the other materials combined with titanium. Materials like gold or precious stones impact the ring’s final price. Regardless, the inexpensive nature of this metal makes it more desirable when you’re on a budget.
2. Durability
Titanium’s durability is second to none. As discussed above, the metal’s name comes from its hardness and durability. As a material, the name is synonymous with strength.
On the Mohs scale, titanium ranks at 6 Mohs. For comparison, Platinum has 4 Mohs and Gold has 2.4 Mohs. Titanium is extremely corrosion and scratch-resistant. Its durability will allow you to pass it down as a family heirloom for future generations.
Titanium’s durability is second to none. As discussed above, the metal’s name comes from its hardness and durability. As a material, the name is synonymous with strength.
On the Mohs scale, titanium ranks at 6 Mohs. For comparison, Platinum has 4 Mohs and Gold has 2.4 Mohs. Titanium is extremely corrosion and scratch-resistant. Its durability will allow you to pass it down as a family heirloom for future generations.
Titanium’s durability is second to none. As discussed above, the metal’s name comes from its hardness and durability. As a material, the name is synonymous with strength.
On the Mohs scale, titanium ranks at 6 Mohs. For comparison, Platinum has 4 Mohs and Gold has 2.4 Mohs. Titanium is extremely corrosion and scratch-resistant. Its durability will allow you to pass it down as a family heirloom for future generations.
3. Biocompatibility
In addition to being beautiful, symbolic, and interesting, some couples choose black wedding rings as a practical necessity. Many people work in jobs that use manual labor such as construction and manufacturing. These professions use tools and machinery that could scratch metal bands and crush even the hardest gemstones.
It would be sad to forego wearing a symbol of love because of practicality while on the job, but many people are forced to do this. However, durable black metal or rings are growing in popularity because of their hardness and strength.
These rings can be worn in all sorts of conditions without breaking, which can provide peace of mind to the wearer.
In addition to being beautiful, symbolic, and interesting, some couples choose black wedding rings as a practical necessity. Many people work in jobs that use manual labor such as construction and manufacturing. These professions use tools and machinery that could scratch metal bands and crush even the hardest gemstones.
It would be sad to forego wearing a symbol of love because of practicality while on the job, but many people are forced to do this. However, durable black metal or rings are growing in popularity because of their hardness and strength.
These rings can be worn in all sorts of conditions without breaking, which can provide peace of mind to the wearer.
4. Variety
Titanium has a wide variety of colors. Its natural color has a gray to silver range, similar to platinum. However, the ring’s finish can drastically alter its appearance.
For example, titanium finished with a high polish has a silver-like appearance. Sandblasting a titanium ring makes it look like gunmetal. Anodizing and plating allow the metal to exhibit different colors.
Titanium has a wide variety of colors. Its natural color has a gray to silver range, similar to platinum. However, the ring’s finish can drastically alter its appearance.
For example, titanium finished with a high polish has a silver-like appearance. Sandblasting a titanium ring makes it look like gunmetal. Anodizing and plating allow the metal to exhibit different colors.
Titanium has a wide variety of colors. Its natural color has a gray to silver range, similar to platinum. However, the ring’s finish can drastically alter its appearance.
For example, titanium finished with a high polish has a silver-like appearance. Sandblasting a titanium ring makes it look like gunmetal. Anodizing and plating allow the metal to exhibit different colors.
5. Maintenance
Titanium rings are easy to maintain. Unlike white gold, it won’t need re-plating or polishing all the time. As time passes, the metal can accumulate scratches but they are easy to polish.
Titanium rings are easy to maintain. Unlike white gold, it won’t need re-plating or polishing all the time. As time passes, the metal can accumulate scratches but they are easy to polish.
Cons of Titanium Rings
As an amazing metal for wedding and engagement rings, titanium isn’t perfect. It has some disadvantages youmust consider before committing. Think about the following:
1. Limited Design Options
The hardness of the metal makes its design options limited. Intricate and delicate styles are difficult to craft when using titanium. It’s why wedding rings made from this material often look simple and utilitarian.
2. Difficult to Resize
Most jewelers won’t accept jobs related to resizing titanium wedding rings so you'll want to make sure you order the correct ring size. Some can resize them up but never down. Sometimes, it’s more expensive to resize a titanium ring than buying a new one.
If the ring won’t fit, consider replacing it with a new ring instead of resizing it. Check your retailer options since some providers have a replacement policy. It could save lots of money later on. Patrick Adair Designs has a onetime free size exchange policy and can size up titanium rings on occasion.
Most jewelers won’t accept jobs related to resizing titanium wedding rings so you'll want to make sure you order the correct ring size. Some can resize them up but never down. Sometimes, it’s more expensive to resize a titanium ring than buying a new one.
If the ring won’t fit, consider replacing it with a new ring instead of resizing it. Check your retailer options since some providers have a replacement policy. It could save lots of money later on. Patrick Adair Designs has a onetime free size exchange policy and can size up titanium rings on occasion.
How to Care For Your Titanium Ring
When used daily, titanium rings can get dirty and sustain small scuffs/scratches. You must clean it periodically to maintain its shine. This can be done simply with a jewelry polishing wipe or you can ask your jeweler to buff your titanium ring to remove the patina it develops as time passes.
Cleaning your titanium ring is simple using mild soap and a brush. Get rid of the dirt and grime to bring the shine back. Use metal polish if your high-polish titanium ring has visible scratches.