Titanium Band Tips and Advice
Titanium bands are amongst the most unique bands you'll find. Titanium bands
offer a tremendous variety of designs, from simple men's titanium wedding bands,
diamond titanium bands for ladies, titanium bands with silver, gold and platinum
stripes, fashion titanium bands with black or pink sapphires, through to funky
blue or purple colored titanium bands. With such a wide variety of titanium
band options, including the possibility of having custom made titanium bands,
it can be little confusing to know where to start. This coupled with the unique
metallurgic characteristics of titanium and how they influence titanium band
designs, including their impact on the finger sizing for titanium bands is also
important for you to know before buying a titanium band, particularly when buying
titanium wedding bands. The titanium jewelry information on this page
will hopefully help you through the process of buying your titanium band or
titanium wedding band.
What is Titanium?
Titanium is a type of metal. Titanium is a natural element which has a silver-greyish-white
color. It 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. Pure titanium is also 100% hypoallergenic which
means that it if safe for anyone to wear as it will not react to your skin.
Why Choose a Titanium Men's Band or Ladies Titanium Band?
Titanium provides several unique factors that make it a great metal for jewelry
bands. Titanium is very strong. It's more dent, bend and scratch resistant than
gold, silver and platinum; it's lightweight and importantly titanium offers
an exotic array of colors which other metals do not.
The Gillett's Jewellers titanium bands available through MyTitaniumRing.com
can be colored in blue, purple, bluemoon, night sky, black rainbow and
solar ash colors. Our titanium bands are 100% hypoallergenic and will
not produce skin irritation or discoloration.
Discover the exciting world of titanium bands:
Can Titanium Bands Be Resized?
Titanium bands are very strong and they cannot be soldered, which means that
they cannot be resized. We can sometimes resize titanium bands by a very small
amount up in size by stretching them, however titanium bands cannot be resized
down in size.
You should have finger sizes checked by a local jeweler before you
order your titanium band to double check your finger size. This is especially
important if you are ordering titanium wedding bands. If you provide us
with the wrong finger size you should contact us as soon as possible and
we will discuss your options with you and whether we will be able to make
another band for you for a modest re-make fee.
Can Titanium Bands Be Worn as Wedding Bands?
Yes, titanium bands can be worn as wedding bands or fashion bands for men or
ladies.
Many people find that titanium bands are a good choice for wedding bands because
they are strong, versatile and stand up to every day wear well. They are also
more scratch, dent and bend resistant that the other metals (gold and platinum)
that are otherwise used for wedding bands.
One important factor to note with titanium bands is that titanium bands cannot
be resized now or in the future. This is because titanium cannot be soldered,
which means that it cannot be cut and then adjusted to a larger or smaller size
and then re-joined.
It
is also important to consider the type of titanium used when choosing your titanium
wedding bands with respect to it's ability to be cut-off in the event of an
emergency and also it's hypoallergenic properties. The pure commercial grade
titanium that we use in our wedding bands allows these titanium wedding bands
to be cut-off in the event of an emergency. These bands can be a little more
difficult to cut-off than gold bands, though it is possible to cut them off.
Aircraft grade titanium bands however generally cannot be cut-off in the event
of an emergency, or if they can be cut-off, it can be a much more difficult
process to do so.
Are Titanium Bands Available For Men and Ladies?
Yes, the titanium bands on this web site are suitable for both men and ladies
and they can be worn as wedding bands or fashion bands.
What Widths are Titanium Bands Available In?
Titanium bands are available in a range of widths. The widths available depend
upon the particular style. For simple titanium bands the widths can range from
3mm to 10mm. For titanium bands with inlay stripes, grooves or patterns the
widths vary according to the particular design.
The custom made titanium bands available in the design
your own titanium bands section are available in the widths from 3mm to
10mm.
Choosing the Width of Your Titanium Wedding Bands?
Choosing the width for ladies titanium wedding bands
For
ladies titanium wedding bands, the 3mm to 4mm widths are the most popular. When
choosing designs with inlay stripes or grooves the minimum width available for
the band design is often selected by ladies.
Most ladies when choosing a width for their titanium wedding band need to take
into account the width of their engagement band (if they are intending to wear
and engagement band together with the titanium wedding band.) If ladies wear
the two bands together, a narrower band in the 3mm to 5mm width often works
best. Though naturally it is a matter of personal preference and some ladies
still prefer to choose a wider band.
Choosing the width for men's titanium wedding bands
For men's titanium wedding bands the most
popular widths are 5mm to 7mm. Men with more slender fingers sometimes choose
a slightly narrower width of say 4.5mm. Men with larger fingers sometimes prefer
the wider 7mm width.
For men with larger fingers, you don't need to assume that you should automatically
choose an extra wide band width. It's important that your band feels comfortable.
Based on feedback from customers over many years we've found that the extra
wide band widths of 8mm or more can be less comfortable for some men.
When choosing a width for a men's titanium band it's a good idea to visit a
local jewelry store to try-on a band of the width that you intend to
purchase. That way you can double check that it feels comfortable on your fingers.
When trying on a band for the purpose of confirming your preferred band width,
you don't need to try on a titanium band, you can try on a gold band of the
same width and same general shape of band (ie. the width of band in a soft rounded
or flat band shape).
Choosing an extra wide width for titanium men's bands
When choosing your titanium wedding band width you should note that very wide
bands of 8mm or wider can be less comfortable to wear than the narrower titanium
bands. Comfort is particularly important for men's titanium wedding bands and
men are often not accustomed to wearing men's bands. Unless you are accustomed
to wearing wider bands, or you have tried on the wider bands in a local store,
we suggest that you consider a more conservative width of 5mm to 7mm as the
majority of our clients prefer that 5mm to 7mm width range.
If you are accustomed to wearing wider bands then naturally you are welcome
to choose a wider width.
If you do choose a wider 7mm to 10mm width, please ensure that you have your
finger sized by a local [::jeweler::] based on the wider width. This is very
important because wide bands of 7mm or more can require a slightly larger finger
size than for the narrower bands. By default, most [::jeweler::]s will measure
a finger size based on a narrow band width unless otherwise asked. You should
mention to the measuring jewelry assistant that you will be wearing
a wide band and mention the width of your intended titanium wedding band when
having your finger size measured.
How Far in Advance Should We Order Our Titanium Wedding Bands?
To avoid those last minute rushes (we know how
busy and stressful the weeks leading up to the wedding day can be!), we suggest
that you allow plenty of time to order your wedding bands.That way you will
receive your wedding bands in plenty of time and you can rest assured that they
fit well.
If possible, it's best to order your titanium wedding bands 3 months or more
before your wedding day.
Depending upon the finger size that you need, your band will either be in stock
in your finger size, or it will be manufactured for you in your finger size.
For custom made bands the bands will always need to be manufactured for you.
The manufacture time for each style varies, though on average the titanium bands
take approximately two to three weeks to manufacture plus delivery of between
one to five days (depending upon which country you live in). The normal manufacture
time for each band style (if it's not in stock in your finger size) is shown
on the band product page next to the word 'availability'.
If after receiving your bands you find that you need a different size, new
bands may then need to be made for you. So for that reason it's best to order
as early as can to avoid last minute rushes.
Naturally though if your wedding day is fast approaching you can still contact
us to see if we have your band design in the finger sizes that you need. We
have helped many couples in the week or two leading up to their wedding day.
Your preferred band design, or a similar design may be in stock in the finger
size that you need and we may be able to dispatch it to you that same day. So
no matter how much time you have left, please do still contact us to see how
we can help you with your wedding bands.
What Grade of Titanium Do You Use in Your Titanium Bands?
The titanium used in our titanium bands is 99.9% pure commercial grade titanium.
Our titanium is pure and of surgical implant quality which means that it is
hypoallergenic and allergy free.
Are Titanium Bands Hypoallergenic?
Pure titanium is 100% hypoallergenic and allergy free and will not produce
skin irritation or discoloration. Pure titanium does not react to sunlight,
salt water or anything that the body emits. This is why we only offer pure titanium
in our titanium bands. We do not use other metal alloys with our titanium to
ensure only the purest and safest titanium is used in our titanium bands. This
is especially important for titanium wedding bands which will be worn every
day for many many years. We use pure titanium with confidence knowing that everyone
can wear it without the concern of an adverse reaction to your body.
Are Matching Ladies and Men's Titanium Wedding Bands Available?
Reports indicate that approximately 25% of couples choose matching wedding bands
(this refers to all wedding band purchases, not just titanium wedding bands).
Matching wedding bands do not need to match exactly though, they often
may have a similar design, though they can be made in different widths
to suit the lady and man.
Sometimes matching wedding bands can have a similar theme, such as both
being made in titanium, rather than being made in the exact same design.
That way the couple can choose the designs that they each prefer which
best reflect their own personality and needs, whilst still keeping a sense
of unity through the matching titanium theme.
If you would like to choose matching titanium wedding bands you can use
the design your own titanium bands
section which allows you to design men’s and ladies matching wedding bands
sets with the same or differing widths.
The many titanium bands available on our web site are also often available
in matching designs or in both ladies and men's widths and finger sizes. Most
of the titanium bands indicate the widths that they are available in on the
titanium band product page.
Can Titanium Wedding Bands Be Engraved?
Yes, we can engrave your special message on the inside of your titanium band.
To make your titanium band truly yours we can engrave your special message for
only $3AU per letter. If you would like us to engrave your bands for you, please
place your order for your titanium band through this web site. In the secure
online order form you will see a comments section. Please type in the comments
section that you would like engraving and the your message to be engraved. Please
note, that if you choose to have your titanium band engraved, the guarantee
for that band will be voided. This is simply because the band will have been
engraved with your personal message which would prevent the band from being
resold if it was returned under the guarantee or due to the incorrect finger
size being provided. If you would like to take advantage of the guarantee, including
the ability to exchange bands if you find that you need a different finger size
to the size ordered, we suggest you have your local jeweler engrave your
band for you after you receive your bands from us so that you can confirm their
fit first. Most local jewelers should be able to engrave titanium bands.
How are Titanium Bands Colored?
The color of our titanium bands is not a paint, plate or pigment. The
color in our titanium bands is caused by oxidization. Titanium is a type
of refractory metal that has an interesting relationship with oxygen. Oxygen
causes a structural change in the metal’s surface crystals creating an oxide.
The oxide is as hypoallergenic as titanium, but has a unique light refractory
property that causes the titanium to appear in various colors to the
human eye. The oxidization is produced by a heating process that causes the
titanium to change color. The color will not fade or chip though
it can be scratched off. The titanium in not colored through the entire
depth of the metal. Although titanium is a very strong metal, as with any metal
it can, and will scratch, and with scratching, the titanium color can
be removed. See below for further information.
What Titanium Band Colors are Available?
You can choose from blue, purple, bluemoon, night sky, black rainbow, solar
ash and natural titanium colors. The choice is yours. To see information
about how titanium is colored please see above. To make your color
selection simply visit our ‘design your
own titanium band’ section to choose your titanium band and select your
titanium color.
The transition between colors during the oxidization process is very quick
which sometimes can blur the boundary between the blue and purple colors
in small parts of the band on occasion. This means that if for example you choose
a purple color and a little blue may also appear. This natural variation
in colors is part of the beauty of colored titanium bands.
Are Textured, Matte or Satin Finished Titanium Bands Available?
The custom made titanium bands available in the 'design
your own titanium band' section allow you to add a textured matte satin
finish to your titanium band.
In the you can choose from 3 types of satin finishes. The satin finishes
are available in a light, medium and heavy texture for both our natural color
titanium bands and the colored titanium bands. Although titanium is
very strong, much stronger than gold, platinum and silver and is more bend,
dent and scratch resistant, titanium will still scratch. You can choose a
satin finish for your titanium band to help keep it looking good for longer.
We recommend that a satin finish be selected for the colored titanium
bands.
How to Care for Your Titanium Bands and Colored Titanium Bands.
Natural color titanium bands
The natural color of titanium bands, that is, the natural greyish-silver
color will not fade.
Unlike white gold bands that often have a special white metal coating applied
to them to make them more more white, titanium bands with the natural titanium
color do not have a coating applied to them to make them look white.
This means that titanium bands with the natural titanium color do not
require any special maintenance.
To clean a natural titanium color band simply use a soft cloth and warm
soapy water. Do not use strong detergent or chemicals and never use toothpaste
to clean your jewelry. For polished natural color titanium bands,
we suggest that you have your titanium band polished about one or twice a year.
This will help to keep the band looking great.
Scratches on titanium bands
Although titanium is a very strong metal, much stronger than gold, platinum
and silver, and is more scratch, bend and dent resistant; it is not completely
scratch resistant. As with any jewelry, titanium bands will scratch.
Scratching of any metal, including titanium, can happen within one day or one
year - there is not a certain time from when scratching and wear will begin
to occur.
To help keep your band looking good, we suggest that you not wear your
band whilst doing manual work, whilst gardening, whilst working with abrasive
substances, at the gym, playing sport or at the beach. As with gold bands,
polished titanium bands can easily be polished by a local jeweler
for only a few dollars to make the band look like new again. Remember,
the more respect you have for your jewelry, the longer it will
stay looking good for you. You do need to appreciate however that titanium
bands, as with gold bands, can and will scratch with normal every day
wear and not just with heavy wear.
Does the Titanium Color Fade or Wear?
The color of our titanium bands is not a coating or paint. It is caused
by oxidization which changes the refractory nature of the surface crystals of
the titanium to make colors appear. The color will not fade or chip.
However, the color does not penetrate the titanium through the depth
of the metal. Although titanium is very strong, titanium bands will scratch,
which can cause the oxidized color to scratch off or wear. This may cause
the natural titanium color to appear in scratch/worn areas. This scratching
can occur in one day or after two years - there is not a minimum time frame.
The oxidization, as with the rhodium plating that is on all white gold bands,
will wear and the time frame can vary. But there is no need to worry, your titanium
band can easily be re-oxidized for only a small fee to make the color
in the titanium band look like new again. This small service fee is certainly
worth it when your band is ready for a new polish and coloring and is
only a small price to pay for having such a fantastic vibrant colored
titanium band.
To help with looking after your colored titanium band, we highly
recommend that you choose a heavy satin finish for the titanium color,
particularly if you will be wearing a colored titanium band as
your wedding band or for everyday wear. Satin finish helps to protect
the color of the titanium against wear and will keep the band
looking better for longer. The satin finish will not prevent scratching,
but helps to protect the color on the band. We can provide the
satin finish for you, or you can have a local jeweler satin finish
your band for you.
You can also choose a style where the colored titanium is more
protected in a grooved section of the band. This will help to protect
the colored titanium. If you are concerned about the wear of
your titanium bands or are choosing colored titanium wedding
bands we suggest that you choose the heavy satin finish or a grooved
style band.