When shopping for rings, there are many materials you can opt for. These include pewter, silver, platinum, yellow gold, white gold and titanium. Rings made of titanium are gaining in popularity due to the many advantages of this metal.
When shopping for gold jewelry, be sure to look for the karat mark on the jewelry. Although it is not required by law, reputable jewelers generally only stock gold jewelry with the karat mark. The karat mark tells you what percentage of the jewelry is pure gold. A 24K marking is an indication of pure gold. Pure gold, however, is very soft and not practical for jewelry. Most jewelry is made of gold between 10K and 18K. Compared to gold, titanium rings are much more lightweight.
Titanium is a shiny silver-white in appearance. Titanium is very strong and durable and is therefore ideal for making jewelry such as rings, pendants and bracelets. Because it is totally corrosion resistant, unlike gold, titanium rings do not react to saltwater and sunlight. This makes it an ideal metal to use in jewelry for people who lead an active lifestyle.
As opposed to gold, titanium rings are completely hypoallergenic. This means that they will not irritate skin or cause any allergic reactions. People who have experienced skin reactions with gold and silver are normally told to change to titanium jewelry. The reason for this is that gold and silver are often mixed with alloys to strengthen them. It is generally the alloys that cause the reaction.
Although when compared to gold, titanium rings are stronger, lighter and cheaper, there is a downside. A titanium ring may be a hazard at the time of a medical emergency. Because of its strength, certain grades of titanium cannot be cut with hospital tools in the case of an emergency. Some titanium ring makers challenge this, but you should get information about this from the manufacturer of the particular titanium ring you wish to purchase.
When shopping for silver, gold or titanium rings on the Internet make sure you use a reputable website. Sometimes pictures can be deceiving and you might be unhappy when you receive the product you order. Check the site’s return and refund policy. Most online jewelry stores will not refund the amount for postage and packaging. Also make sure that the website is legitimate and that they have some kind of customer care center you can contact in the even that you are dissatisfied with the jewelry.
A combination of titanium and gold has become very popular in jewelry manufacturing. Gold and titanium rings give you the beauty and color of gold with the strength and durability of titanium. Rings with the ‘tension setting’ are also quite popular. This setting has a stone held in place by the tension of the metal band. Platinum, stainless steel, gold and titanium rings are available with this setting. The tension setting is very flattering on the stone used, particularly if it is a diamond. This is because light is allowed to pass through the stone therefore enhancing its luster and beauty.
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