The Age of Titanium
Although Titanium is an abundant element on earth it was not
discovered until 1791 but it would be another hundred years
after that before it was possible to isolate the metal.
In appearance the metal is grey and lustrous and has often been
used to make alloys which are light and resistant. Titanium has
also been detected in meteorites and in the moon rocks brought
back from the Apollo 17 mission.
It is because of its desirable properties which make Titanium an
ideal metal for this technological age that has lead to a huge
rise in popularity of this metal.
In industry the uses for titanium are many because of its
resistance to corrosion even from salt water, alkalis and acids
and even corrosive gases. Because of its corrosion resistance
and the fact that it is also physiologically inert and
hypoallergenic, Titanium is also used extensively in the field
of medicine and in particular for prosthetic implants such as
hip and knee replacements.
This wonderful metal has very high strength to weight ratio and
it is much utilised in critical and demanding applications such
as in the aerospace industry. The use of Titanium has made space
exploration possible and the earlier rockets such as Mercury,
Apollo and Gemini were all made largely of this metal. The Space
Shuttle also has many parts made from Titanium as have many jet
fighters, submarines, ships and tanks.
Titanium therefore is used across a broad spectrum of
applications making it very much a metal of our modern age.
Aircraft grade titanium is now becoming increasingly popular in
the jewellery trade and has found favour particularly in the
manufacture of mens jewellery because of it's hard wearing
properties. Titanium rings have become increasingly popular as
wedding rings in part because they will stand up to more wear
and tear than precious metals but probably just as much because
of the look. Titanium really is a very versatile metal and lends
itself very to the making of fine jewellery and a variety of
looks can be achieved utilising different finishes and even the
application of heat which brings about a change in colour
ranging through the whole spectrum.
This property of colouration by heat has been used particularly
in the manufacture of ladies jewellery for making eye catching
unique designs in earrings, necklaces and modern, trendy titanium rings.
In the making of rings, titanium can also be inlaid with
precious metals and set with precious stones and although the
material is more difficult to work with because of its strength,
once made you will have a beautiful piece of jewellery that will
look good and last a lifetime.
The durability, strength and looks of titanium will ensure that
it continues to grow in popularity as a metal in the manufacture
of jewellery and in particular for the making of titanium rings.