It is important to realize that the color of titanium jewelry is not a paint or added coating. Through an electronic oxidation process jewelers can actually change the crystalline structure of the surface of the metal. This new structure will refract light in a different way causing its visible color to change. This means the colored surface of titanium will never chip or fade. Titanium can be changed to a variety of exotic colors including pink and turquoise as well as simple colors such as dark blue or green.

The Grades of Titanium Jewelry

There are three major grades of titanium used in the making of jewelry.

Commercial Pure Titanium Grade 4

Although this is the softest form of jewelry grade titanium it is still much stronger than other common metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. This form of titanium is ideal for making jewelry that has diamonds or other precious stones flush set into the piece.

Titanium 6/4 – Aircraft Grade Titanium

90% titanium, 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium

This grade is much harder than most other grades of titanium and is also extremely wear resistant.

Titanium 6/6/2 – Extra Hard Titanium

86% titanium, 6% aluminum, 6% vanadium, 2% tin

This is the strongest version of titanium in jewelry form. This unique strength presents the highest resistance to denting and bending as well as making titanium 6/6/2 perfect for tension set rings.