Historically, there were only really three options to choose from when it came to rings: gold, platinum, or silver. Although these are great options in their own right, they can be expensive and easily damaged. Thanks to advancements in technology, there is now a wider range of alternative metals to choose from, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.
At the forefront of this technology are titanium and zirconium rings. Titanium is one of the most durable metals to make jewelry from but is also extremely lightweight. Zirconium has a unique appearance and is more malleable but is still tough and cheaper than other metals. This article will break down titanium and zirconium rings, explain their differences and let you know what to expect when purchasing one of these rings.
Titanium Rings
Titanium rings are a great alternative metal to use for rings. A ring made of titanium is biocompatible, hypoallergenic, and lightweight, making it a great metal to manufacture into rings. Although lightweight, titanium is stronger than steel, with more than 30 different grades. Aircraft-grade titanium is the strongest of them all and is frequently used to manufacture strong and durable rings. Because of their strength and affordability compared to other metals, titanium rings are great for everyday use. Meanwhile, their lightweight material makes them comfortable to wear day in and day out.
Are Titanium Rings Safe?
Titanium rings are resistant to the corrosion of seawater and chlorine. They are also rust-resistant and can be submerged in water for long periods. As mentioned earlier, titanium rings are also biocompatible, meaning they are non-toxic to humans. Even those who suffer allergies to other types of jewelry will not react to titanium. Given it’s a hard metal, titanium is also very difficult to cut and is highly scratch resistant. While they may show signs of wear after some time, they are still an excellent option to consider.
Are Titanium Rings Durable?
Although lightweight, titanium rings have a very high strength- to-weight ratio. This makes them light and comfortable to wear while remaining tough and durable. In fact, durability is one of the main selling points for titanium rings. Plus, its non-toxicity toward humans and resistance to scratches and corrosion only add to its marketability.
How To Clean A Titanium Ring
To clean a non-anodized titanium ring, get a bowl of lukewarm water and clean it with a mild soap or cleaning solution. Let the ring soak first for about five minutes before rubbing it gently with a washcloth. When you are done, rinse your ring and dry it with a lint-free cloth. If you leave your titanium ring out to air dry, spotting may occur.
You can also clean a titanium ring with ammonia. Windex products usually contain ammonia and are safe to use on titanium. If your ring is made of anodized, or colored, titanium, only use water, soap, and ammonia on them. Any harsh cleaning solutions can discolor anodized titanium.
Can Titanium Rings Be Resized?
Technically speaking, titanium rings can be resized. However, to what extent and at what cost is where things may get tricky. Titanium rings can typically be adjusted by about 1.5 sizes up or down. Because they are usually crafted from a singular solid piece of titanium, you cannot necessarily melt down the metal to make size adjustments. To enlarge a titanium ring, a jeweler would carefully shave off the inside surface to create more space for your finger. For a loose-fitting ring, material would be added to the inside of the band to reduce its size. Resizing titanium rings is difficult and costly due to their incredible strength and durability. Fortunately when you purchase any titanium ring from ETRNL you have the option to replace your ring as often and as many times as you would like for only $50 thanks to our Lifetime Replacement Policy
Zirconium Rings
Zirconium rings are scratch and corrosion resistant, chemically stable, non-toxic, and durable. Naturally coming in a grey/white color, black zirconium is more popular in terms of jewelry. Black zirconium is created by a process known as oxidation, which involves heating zirconium for several hours until it becomes zirconium oxide. The zirconium oxide is then polished to either a shiny or matte black finish. This dark metal is stylish and cost-effective, making it a great choice of metal to use for jewelry. In addition to its durability, it is hypoallergenic and has a medium weight.
Are Zirconium Rings Good?
Zirconium rings are good rings to choose from due to their relative inexpensiveness compared to other metals. Their resistance to corrosion, durability and contemporary look also makes them great choices for wedding bands and any other type of ring. On top of that, the dark black finish also does not fade or change color.
Are Zirconium Rings Durable?
Zirconium is incredibly hard and scratch-resistant. With a hardness level similar to that of sapphire, scratching a zirconium ring would be quite difficult. The only downside is that the surface layer of a zirconium ring is quite thin, and the metal underneath is not as tough as the surface layer. Because of this, wear and tear will inevitably happen, but it won’t be too severe.
How To Clean A Zirconium Ring
To clean your zirconium ring, use a mild soap and warm water. After washing, rinse thoroughly and use a soft cloth to dry. An underrated aspect of black zirconium rings is that they are two-toned metals, and, over time, a silver tone may be present on the ring. Not only is this normal but it gives your ring a cool look to it as it ages.
Can Zirconium Rings Be Resized?
Because the size of our fingers can change over time, an important issue to consider is what to do when your ring no longer fits. One drawback of zirconium rings is the difficulty required to resize them. Resizing zirconium rings can be an expensive and difficult process. Fortunately when you purchase any zirconium ring from ETRNL you have the option to replace your ring as often and as many times as you would like for only $50 thanks to our Lifetime Replacement Policy
The Bottom Line
Titanium rings are a great choice due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, and strength-to-weight ratio. Zirconium rings are also great cost-effective rings that have a unique design with added toughness and a comfortable weight. Both titanium and zirconium make excellent modern and stylish rings. Perhaps the only downside to these rings is how difficult they are to resize. But with many vendors offering exchanges to combat this, even that downside becomes a non-issue. If you are on the fence about which ring best fits your needs, send us a message today, and we will happily guide you through your selection process; ensuring that you choose the right ring for you.
