What is Titanium? (Ti)

Titanium is a lustrous, silver-grey, metallic element.  It has the strength of steel and yet weight comparable to aluminum.  It responds very little to electricity, heat and magnets.  In addition, Titanium forms protective surface layers, which gives it excellent resistance to corrosive attacks by saltwater, sea air and certain acids.  It is even capable of being submerged in water for long periods of time without sustaining damage.

Titanium is the hardest natural metal in the world.  It is very strong, three times the strength of steel and much stronger than gold silver and platinum and yet is very light weight.

Why choose Titanium?

Titanium provides several unique factors that make it the ideal metal for jewellery rings.  It is very strong, more dent, bend and scratch resistant than gold, silver and platinum, and is lightweight.  Titanium is pure and 100% hypoallergenic and will not produce skin irritation or discoloration.

Titanium makes an excellent choice for wedding bands.  Particularly suitable for men and active women.  Titanium rings are most comfortable to wear.  Drop by the store to view a great selection of Titanium and Titanium with gold or platinum accent wedding bands at affordable prices. 

Titanium also makes an excellent casing and bracelet material for wrist watches and all major manufacturers have Titanium models.

Repairs to Titanium

Titanium can not be soldered.  Therefore it can not be resized or altered as gold, silver or platinum jewellery can.  Titanium rings need to be crafted in the correct size.  Although Titanium is a very strong metal, it will still scratch.  Titanium can be polished, satin finished and engraved.

Where is it being used?

The physiological inertness of Titanium makes it very compatible with the human body.  It has been used by physicians in bone and cartilage replacement surgeries.  It has even been used to make artificial hips, dental implants, and valves for the heart.

Titanium is one of the favourite metals in the aerospace industry.  After World War II, the U.S. military was developing advanced missile systems and aircraft that could fly faster than the speed of sound.  It needed a stronger metal, one that could handle the high temperature and the stresses produced by air friction when traveling at high speed.  It chose Titanium. 

The Black Bird (AKA Habu) is made of Titanium alloy.  It can fly more than 2,200 mph (more than three times the speed of sound).  NASA has also realized the benefits of Titanium, using it to make many of its space shuttles.

Cleaning Titanium Rings

Simply use a soft cloth and warm soapy water to clean your Titanium rings.  Do not use strong detergent or chemicals and never use toothpaste to clean your jewellery.  We suggest that you have your Titanium ring polished about one or twice a year, as it does scratch.  This will help to keep the ring looking great.

History

Titanium was discovered by a British mineralogist, Gregor Williams, in 1791.  In 1795, a German chemist and mineralogist, Martin H. Klaproth, named it Titanium.  This was derived from the Titans of Greek mythology, characters owning extreme power and superior strength.

Titanium wasn't widely used until the early 20th century because the technology wasn't available to separate it from its compounded material.  William Kroll, a refugee from Luxembourg, invented a process that allowed production of metallic Titanium to be available.

The United States Bureau of Mines used the Kroll process to produce metallic Titanium and received financial aid for its production.  Annual production has rapidly increased from 3 tons in 1948 to 20,000 plus tons in the early ’80s.