THE ORIGIN OF TITANIUM AND A BRIEF COMPARISON OF TITANIUM AND TUNGSTEN

THE ORIGIN OF TITANIUM AND A BRIEF COMPARISON OF TITANIUM AND TUNGSTEN

Since its discovery in 1791, titanium, the metal which was given the name of a Greek mythological figure, has been widely used in diverse industries such as jewelry manufacturing and aircraft manufacturing. Titanium, the 22nd element in the periodic table, has gained a reputation for its high resistance to corrosion. Like many other metals, titanium can be mixed with other metals to produce alloy. The percentage commonly adopted in manufacturing titanium jewelry is 90% titanium mixed with 10% vanadium and aluminum, which is altered according to need.

The pure metal titanium is grayish white. Its surface can be converted into different colors while being anodized. After being polished, the metal takes on a special smooth look which much resembles the texture of “satin”. Like other metals such as tungsten, its high resistance to corrosion enables it to retain colors and maintain its gloss. From the 20th century, titanium had been used in making jewelry, titanium wedding bands in particular. In addition to its excellent qualities, which are already mentioned above, what makes it so popular in the market is its affordable price.

 

Titanium vs. Tungsten

  

1. Price

It is known that while considering how to price a wedding band, factors such as manufacturing, processing and qualities of materials are to be taken into account. That being said, wedding bands made from these two metals are very close in terms of their market prices.

2. Weight

When it comes to weight, it depends on individual preferences. For those who prefer to feel the weight of their rings, tungsten wedding bands are ideal choices. On the contrary, for people who prefer lightweight rings, they are likely to choose titanium instead because of titanium’s light weight.

3. Allergy

Titanium is skin-friendly, relieving you of concerns about skin allergies. Similarly, tungsten of good quality is hypoallergenic. However, it is under the condition that there is no cobalt added in the process during which a tungsten ring is produced. Find U Rings only uses tungsten of the highest quality and guarantees that no cobalt will be added in the process of crafting our tungsten wedding bands.

4. Strength and Durability

The two metals are comparable in terms of strength and durability. While being tested on a Mohs Hardness Test Kit, tungsten carbide gains the highest point while titanium gains the sixth. While its extreme hardness makes tungsten carbide harder and more durable than titanium, this quality also makes this metal composite susceptible to crack. Under the same high pressure that breaks tungsten carbide, titanium is likely to bend and deform.

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This article was written by:

Louis Moore

Jewelry Marketing Expert and Analyst

Guest Editor of several jewelry magazines

Over 10 years of marketing experience in the jewelry market

Enjoys long-distance jogging and classical music