Thursday, May 5, 2011

Why Have Titanium Wedding Rings Become So Popular?



Fifteen years ago very few people outside of very high end jewelry shops had even heard of using titanium for rings. While it had been used in aviation, medicine and manufacturing, the use of titanium for rings and jewelry was just unheard of for the most part.

Now titanium wedding rings are the hottest sellers in the jewelry industry. Those couples who compare gold, platinum and titanium for their rings often end up with a titanium wedding ring.

There are several reasons why titanium has become a popular choice for those seeking a wedding ring:
Hypoallergenic Properties
Many people have had the experience of buying a watch, ring or earrings and suffering an allergic reaction. Impure metals-rings are seldom 100% of any material-can cause reactions with human skin. Titanium is inert, which means it will not react with human tissue. In fact, it is often used for hip transplants due to its strength and non-reactive properties.

Cost
The cost of gold and platinum are at all-time highs. This, of course, means that gold wedding rings and platinum wedding rings are also very expensive these days. For example, a basic platinum wedding band will cost at least $1000 and a gold wedding bands, depending on the design, can be equally or more expensive. Titanium, however, has not seen such dramatic rises in cost over the years. A great, handcrafted titanium ring is typically about half the price as its counterparts.
Strength and Durability
Titanium is an extremely durable material for wedding rings. Often used for airplane and submarine components, titanium is very strong and will not ding or dent like gold-a much softer metal. Scratching, though possible, is much more unlikely for a titanium ring than a gold ring. Another great thing about titanium is that it won't react with sea water or almost all corrosive elements. This means that titanium ring wearers can wear their ring day in and day out without worrying about damaging the ring. A well-made titanium ring will last a lifetime.
Design Choices
Many people getting married these days do not want the same gold wedding band style their father, uncles, grandfather and grandfather's father had. Gold rings are just, well, too traditional and boring for many wedding ring buyers.
Titanium, unlike gold, allows for some very creative and unique ring designs. For example, a simple titanium wedding band can have a gold inlay, but it can also have an opal, Koa wood, or Tiger's Eye inlay. Titanium rings with inlays are very popular for wedding bands because they are available in many designs that are stylish, unique and a better reflection of the wearer's personality than the old standby-a yellow gold wedding band.