Does Titanium Rust or Tarnish
No, titanium does not rust or tarnish. It is completely resistant towards any of these issues. This makes it one of the best metal to wear without any problems of rust or tarnish.
Does Titanium Tarnish
No, titanium does not tarnish as well. Tarnish occurs when metals react with sulfur or oxygen, leading to a dull and discolored appearance over time. Silver, for example, is well known metal which can tarnish.
Tarnish is due to presence of copper in a metal. If there is high amount of copper present in a metal, it is most likely to tarnish. As titanium does not has any copper percentage, it does not tarnish.
Does Titanium Rust
No, titanium does not rust. This is due to it being completely iron-free metal.
Instead of rusting, titanium forms a protective oxide layer when it comes into contact with oxygen. This layer, known as titanium dioxide, acts as a shield against further corrosion. The oxide layer is incredibly stable and prevents the metal underneath from reacting with moisture or other environmental factors. In fact, this protective layer even self-heals if it’s scratched or damaged, ensuring that titanium remains rust-free over time.
Difference between Rust and Tarnish
Rust and tarnish are two completely different processes. Rust is a form of corrosion that weakens the metal structurally. It can cause parts of jewelry like clasps to become brittle and break if they are made of iron. It is due to the oxidation of iron present in a metal.
Tarnish is more common phenomenon in jewelry. It is due to the oxidation of copper metal. Both of these occur due to different metals. That’s why a buyer must be aware of difference of both of these.
If we compare the damage done by both of these, rust can severely damage the jewelry. It destroys the structure of the metal. But tarnish is very less severe which only affects appearance rather than durability.
What Jewelry can Tarnish or Rust
Normally jewelry does not rust. Any jewelry which contains iron, can rust. Once a metal starts to rust, it will get structurally weak with time and become very easy to break.
But in most of the jewelries, iron is never used. That’s why we can say that gold, silver, and titanium etc. never rust.
For tarnishing, any jewelry that has major content of copper can tarnish. This incudes sterling silver, brass, bronze and lower karat gold like 9k or 10k.
1. Low Karat Gold
Low karat gold i.e. 10k and lower contains high percentage of copper. This can be a problem as gold jewelry will start tarnishing after some time. Time taken to tarnish can depend on a number of factors like contact with water, gold’s karat etc.
It will take around 6 to 8 months of regular use for lower purity gold to develop tarnishing.
2. Sterling Silver
Sterling silver is made up by a combination of pure silver and copper. It contains 7.5% copper by weight. It tarnishes faster than lower purity gold. However tarnishing is not a very big problem and can be removed by using commercially available tarnish removing chemicals. But it can increase the cost of maintenance. It can take about 3 to 4 months of regular usage to tarnish sterling silver.
3. Brass and Bronze Jewelry
Brass and Bronze both are alloys of copper. Brass is often used as a base metal cheap fashion jewelry. Mostly they will have rhodium or even gold plating over. Brass and Bronze tarnish at a very fast pace. It can take about 1 month of regular usage of these metal to completely tarnish. And if you live in a coastal area where humidity is high, then it can tarnish way faster than this. Tarnish removing chemicals are a must if you buy brass or bronze jewelry.
What Other Benefits Titanium Jewelry offers?
Titanium offers a number of benefits other than non-tarnishing and non-rust property.
1. Bio-Compatible
Titanium is bio-compatible. It means that it will never show any allergic or skin reactions. People with sensitive skin can easily wear it without any problem. It is often recommended for piercing as it is lightweight and does not cause any irritation.
2. Variety of Colors
Titanium is available in many different colors due to electroplating. You can find a number of colors in titanium jewelry like red, green, yellow, blue etc. All of these colors offer a whole range of variety for buyers to choose from.
3. Resistance to Scratches
Titanium is extremely resistant towards scratching. In fact, it is one of the toughest metals known for its strength. Compared to gold, silver or other metals, titanium will not scratch easily. That’s why any falling incidents are not likely to create scratches on titanium.
4. Lightweight
It is also a very lightweight metal. People who don’t like to wear heavy jewelry like hold will love it. For example, a good sized ring made in titanium will weigh about 3 grams.
Does Titanium Steel Tarnish
Titanium steel is a type of stainless steel not titanium. It just has a thin coating of titanium over stainless steel. Though it does not tarnish, but if outer layer of titanium wears off, it will not be as friendly as titanium. So, it is better to avoid it for piercing.
Care and Maintenance of Titanium
Titanium is a low-care demanding metal. However, it is better to take care of it properly for better appearance. Here are some care and maintenance tips related to titanium jewelry.
1. Regular Cleaning
Do regular cleaning of your titanium jewelry. Simply washing titanium with warm soapy water is sufficient to remove dirt or oils that accumulate over time. This will make your metal shine like a new one.
2. Avoid Harsh Chemicals
While titanium is highly resistant to corrosion, it’s best to avoid exposure to harsh chemicals like chlorine or bleach. Detergents and other household chemicals are also included. Regular contact with these chemicals can dull the metal’s finish over time.
3. Proper Storage
Sometimes people might not take care of their jewelry after removing. This can damage your jewelry. Buy an airtight storage box which will protect your jewelry from any dirt etc. These storage boxes come with separate item compartments which save jewelry from getting scratched against each other.
It is important to note that titanium is extremely resistant towards scratching and will not be scratched easily. But titanium jewelry rubbing against other softer metals like gold can scratch them.
Who Should Buy Titanium Jewelry?
Titanium is great for someone who don’t want to spend a lot of time caring for their jewelry. It does not scratches easily and never tarnishes or corrodes. This makes it extremely durable. But it does not have a shiny appearance. So, if you are one who can compromise on appearance and wants strength of the metal, then titanium is for you.
Common FAQ’s about Titanium
Here are some common FAQ’s about titanium.
Is Titanium Expensive?
No. Titanium is not as expensive as gold or other premium metals. You can easily get a titanium ring for around $120.
Is Titanium safe for Skin?
Yes. Titanium is the safest metal for skin.
Should I use Titanium for Piercing?
Absolutely. Titanium is best for first time as well as regular piercers along with surgical steel.
Conclusion
Titanium is one of the best metal to wear if you don’t want to put in a lot of effort in taking care of the jewelry. It does not tarnish as well as rust. As it does not have any sort of iron or copper, it cannot tarnish or rust. Apart, it is highly resistant towards scratches as well. If you are considering to buy titanium jewelry, you can expect to spend very less time for its take care.