When most people hear titanium the first things that come to mind are probably golf clubs, medical plates or rods and aircraft. This naturally occurring element has various uses including a relatively new application in jewelry making.

In 1791, titanium was first discovered near Cornwall, England by pastor William Gregor who was an amateur geologist and unaware of what he had uncovered. In 1795 this metal was rediscovered and given its name which comes from the Titans in Greek mythology. Although titanium can be found around the world in abundance it is always bonded to other elements making the process to recover it is fairly extensive. The Kroll Process named after William Kroll in 1946 was and still is today used to produce titanium for commercial use.

Titanium is known for its strength in fact it is the strongest naturally occurring metal known (steel is not a pure natural element). This strength makes titanium resistant to dings, scratches, dents and bending that most other metals are prone to. Another advantage of this strength is that titanium jewelers are able to created designs by carving, grooving or inlaying without causes damage to the integrity of the piece.

This silver or grayish white metal is very lightweight, strong and 100% hypoallergenic. In fact titanium is biocompatible in that it will not cause reactions or irritations with your skin or cause a discoloration which is common with many other metals.

Although titanium does not corrode or rust it does respond to an oxidation process that enables you to get titanium in many different colors that are not possible with platinum or gold. For instance these color variations can give you a silver ring that in different lights or at different angels can appear blue or purple. If you like color variations it is also possible to find rings that are made from a combination of metals for instance gold and titanium.

Since titanium is not a precious metal, jewelry made from it are among the most affordable available. In fact you can purchase rings of basic design for under a hundred dollars, making them an extremely good buy.

One characteristic that you must be aware of when purchasing a titanium ring is that in most cases they can not be resized. In some cases jewelers may be able to size up by a very small amount but it is safer to assume that the size of ring you buy is the one you are going to have to keep. By the same token it is important to know what grade of titanium your ring is made of because in an emergency situation not all grades can be cut off very easily.

Tags: titanium jewelery, titanium jewelry, titanium rings

Wedding Rings - Celebrate Your Anniversary With A New Band

Celebrate with a new band? You mean the latest musical group? Er, no. Your marriage was made to last. You made it that way. Celebrate your achievement and your undying devotion by giving the perfect gift: a wedding anniversary ring.

Whether it’s your 10th anniversary, your 25th or your 50th, your loved one will appreciate the symbol and the fact of reaching the pinnacle of success. Forming a bond that endures takes dedicated effort. Celebrate that bond with a band, an anniversary band.

Traditionally, paper, silver and gold represent the 1st, 25th and 50th wedding anniversaries. Yet an anniversary band of platinum and diamond is appropriate in any year. Where else can you break tradition and respect it at the same time?

Imagine an antique anniversary band that is newly made. A paradox? This classic design may be studded with dozens of small oval-cut diamonds set into a band of 14kt gold. At the same time, it speaks to the modern heart that wants a special symbol to celebrate the glorious progress toward a lifetime goal.

A sloping pipe-cut band of yellow gold can be crowned with a series of baguettes. The superb clarity and color of these diamonds need not be reserved for the 75th wedding anniversary, or even the 10th. Because an item of jewelry such as this is perfect on any year.

Men, too, are equally deserving of an anniversary band. Success in marriage is a two-way partnership. The ring choices open for them are as wide as those they face everyday to sustain a loving relationship.

Picture a platinum wedding band inlaid with a central cable of titanium. Or, consider a titanium band inlaid with a central strip of sapphires. However you mix and match these materials, the anniversary band at which you arrive will be informed by the finest design. That’s the perfect symbol for the fine undertaking that supports you both through the years.

Every one of those years is equally deserving of a celebration. Mark them all, because dividing the years evenly by five is just a convention. Be unconventional and go for the tungsten ring that traditionally represents the 16th year.

Tungsten? Light bulb filaments? Think again. True, this metal melts at 6,000 degrees so it can never be destroyed in a home fire. True, it’s incredibly strong, durable and scratch resistant. But practical attributes are a small part of the reason to select one of these. They are stunning.

Polished to a high sheen, these lightweight anniversary bands have the look of fine silver. Carved with a contemporary design and topped with square-cut ruby they are not merely a fine piece of jewelry. They are the embodiment of all you have striven to protect and enhance through the years.

Anniversary wedding rings are more than just a fine piece of jewelry. It’s a promise of a memory to come.

Tags: anniversary wedding rings, platinum wedding rings, wedding rings