Made increasingly popular for their silver color shades and their affordable and durable metals jewelry designs, titanium and stainless-steel are the gold and silver of the olden days.
With matching characteristics and it being hard to tell them apart, which is the best choice between the stainless steel and titanium rings?
With gold, silver, and platinum rings going at such a high price, many people have opted for titanium and stainless-steel rings that are equally as shiny can hold crystals, and more importantly, are pocket-friendly.
A choice between the two rings could be a bit tough but if you know more about them and their qualities, you can make the best choice for you.
You will Learn in this Post
- Stainless Steel vs Titanium Rings
- What are the Differences?
- How Stainless Steel and Titanium Compare
- Pros & Cons of Stainless-steel Rings
- Pros & Cons of Titanium Rings
- Conclusion
Stainless Steel vs Titanium Rings
To make pure stainless steel, you need iron ad carbon plus about 12 percent of chromium as a coating.
Stainless steel as long been among us and within our great outdoors and households. It has long been used in the construction of cars, railways, sinks, and any other metal structure you can think of that have many uses and are exposed to harsh conditions.
In the medical profession and tattoo industry as well, you will find the term surgical stainless steel which refers to the equipment that they use in surgeries.
Titanium has also been used by the aircraft industry because of its strong yet lightweight quality. In jewelry, it was introduced in the 1990s and it has gained a lot of popularity since then. There are two grades of retail titanium known. They are commercial pure and aircraft-grade which contains vanadium, chromium, nickel, and aluminum to make it more indestructible.
What are the Differences?
They are both heavily used to coat other metal alloys of lower grade or with allergenic properties. This coating is done to create a protective layer that will keep the metals from reacting with substances on the wearer’s skin causing them to have rashes or irritation.
Another similarity is that they are both very popular in the bridal department for the making of wedding bands and engagement rings as durable as the love shared between a couple. Men are also very great enthusiasts of the two metals for their simplistic designs, their strong sturdy material, and its lightweight and long-lasting qualities.
How Stainless Steel and Titanium Compare
If your job entails working with rough surfaces and equipment, you will want to buy the stainless-steel ring or leave your titanium ring in a safe. If you do get your titanium ring scratched, don’t panic because you can take it to the jeweler to get it rebuffed.
While this sounds wonderful for the stainless-steel fans, there is one thing that they need to keep in mind. Water and constant exposure to it have the ability to make your stainless-steel piece turn a brown color.
This is only due to the chromium plating that was lightly coating your metal has been eroded. You would then have to take it to a jeweler for chromium recoating and polishing to get your jewelry looking new again.
Titanium is more expensive than stainless-steel in the market. So, a choice between the two in terms of budget relies more on how much you can afford to spend. If there is a titanium ring you really want but the price is too high, you could opt to buy its stainless-steel version and work to upgrade it in a few years when your finances improve.
Pros & Cons of Stainless-steel Rings
Pros
Stainless steel is a hardy metal that can be used on an everyday occasion and for all activities you would have for the day. it is a very long-lasting metal material. Making stainless steel requires adding a metal called chromium that acts as a protective layer keeping the stainless-steel metal from effects such as rust, scratches, and corrosion.
The thin layer of chromium applied on rings prevents oxidation which affects the appearance of your ring. The chromium layer also makes the ring safe to wear for those with metal allergies.
With an intact chromium layer, you won’t have to worry about maintaining your ring. All you need to do is wipe it down with a clean cloth dipped in warm soapy water and some oil or grease. Doing this regularly will keep your piece looking good as new.
Cons
Though it is hardy and log-lasting, stainless-steel is prone to denting. It is also a bit hard to work with as it is hard and stiff so sizing yourself for one could be difficult. This also makes it hard to embed gems into the rings.
Being an alloy of metals such as nickel, stainless-steel is not ideal for anyone with a skin allergy because once the chromium plating fades, it will expose the allergenic metals which will then react with sensitive skin.
Pros & Cons of Titanium Rings
Pros
Titanium is durable and very dense. You can expect it to last a lifetime making it ideal for bridal rings and heirlooms. Though it is up to four times stronger than stainless steel, it is easy to work with and is malleable making it great for setting gems.
It is a pure metal with no alloys making it very safe for all skin types. If you are prone to any allergies whatsoever, you can rely on titanium rings to be safe for you.
Cons
It is a bit expensive and compared to stainless-steel might be a bit over budget for most. But you can always save towards buying your favorite.
Titanium is prone to scratches which will require you to regularly need to take it to the jewelers for a rebuff and polishing. Failure to do this will make it dull and unfinished.
Conclusion
Both stainless steel and titanium are great choices as rings. Depending on your budget, why you are buying the ring and what you now know about the two metals, you should be able to make the right selection for you or your special someone.
Whichever metal you settle for is a great choice.
for more rings posts like this, read here for more.
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