-Q: What color is
titanium ?
A : Titanium is a "white" metal
with a slight charcoal gray hue. Its natural color is darker and deeper
than silver or white gold. It could be compared to platinum, with that
specific "smoked" hue in addition.
-Titanium is a reactive metal;
it can be anodized in different colors (by thermal or electrolytic processes),
however this treatment is not permanent. An anodized titanium piece of
jewelry worn continuously would rapidly appear scratched and discolored,
unless the anodizing treatment is applied on a recessed design, (less prone
to be exposed to abrasion) or adequately protected.
-Q: What is the difference between
titanium grades ?
A : There is a wide variety of
titanium grades and alloys available on the market today :
*Titanium basic grade, also known
as Commercially Pure - containing 98 to 99.9% titanium.
This type of titanium is subdivided
into grades (I to IV), the tensile strength begins at 25,000 psi.
The most common commercially pure
titanium is grade II. It is used mainly for applications where strength
is not the most important factor, but where resistance to chemical attack
(i.e. : pulp and paper industry) is essential. Its lightweight, neutrality
and easy workability also makes it attractive for eyeglass frames, jewelry,
dentistry, architectural applications...
*Titanium Alloys :
-Titanium 3Al/2.5V contains 94.5
Titanium, 3% Aluminum, 2.5% Vanadium. It is a lesser known alloy, (also
called "half 6/4"). It is mainly available in extrusions (tubes...) and
is used to build lightweight, strong bicycle frames amongst other tubular
titanium products.
-Titanium 6Al/4V was developed
back in the 1950's. It contains 90% Titanium, 6% Aluminum, 4% Vanadium.
It is also known as aircraft grade titanium, as it is a very common alloy
used in the aerospace industry. It is also the most widely available high
strength titanium alloy.
Because of its lightweight, neutrality
and high tensile strength (average of 130.000 psi, up to 160.00 psi when
heat-treated), this alloy also found many different applications in the
sport and leisure industry (golf clubs, camping utensils...) and contemporary
jewelry.
-Extra-hard titanium (6Al/6V/2Sn)
contains 86% titanium, 6% Aluminum, 6% Vanadium and 2% Tin. Virtually the
highest hardness titanium available.
It is approximately 130% stronger
than 6Al/4V titanium. This extraordinary alloy has a tensile strength of
150.000 psi, going up to 190.00 psi once heat-treated. It is used mainly
for its great strength and lightweight, in the aerospace industry. Although
it is much harder to work with than other titaniums, a few of us propose
it as high-standard jewelry, because of its greater resistance to abrasion
and wear.
-Q: Does a titanium ring take
scratches ?
A : We would LOVE to say "no" !
But like any other ring, a titanium band will eventually become minorly
(BUT very unlikely deeply) scratched and could show scuff marks with everyday
wear.
In general, the life time of a
ring finish will depend on how hard/often you are working with your hands.
We have had a few cases of rings returned by customers for resizing, a
year after the initial purchase, who looked virtually new.
A titanium ring will never rust
nor tarnish. If the finish is too altered, a simple re-finishing operation
will restore it to virtually new brilliance.
-Q: What is the difference
between hardness and tensile strength ?
A : Tensile strength can be explained
as the amount of resistance/elongation required to withstand a force before
being permanently broken, bent or deformed.
-Hardness means resistance to abrasion/wear.
For example, diamonds are amongst the hardest existing materials, but hardness
does not necessarily mean "shock-proof". A diamond can break or chip if
dropped on a hard surface, as their molecular structure presents natural
"weaknesses", called cleavage plans. |
-Q: Are titanium
alloys as neutral to human body as pure titanium ?
A : Yes, they are. Titanium 6Al/4V
is more commonly used for surgical implants and dental fittings than pure
titanium, as it is more resistant. Titanium is the only known "foreign"
material that living tissue will attach onto.
-Q: Are titanium rings
easy to cut in case of emergency ?
A : Yes, they are. Even stronger
titanium alloys can be cut without difficulty. We have performed some tests
on a 6Al/4V ring with a basic (manual) ring cutter, and went through it
in under 2 minutes. The hospital and paramedic issued ring cutters are
usually electric, reducing the cutting time consequently.
-Q: I have large knuckles.
Rings that manage to go over my knuckle end up fitting loosely on
my finger. What can you suggest ?
A : A ring that has a greater width
may sit a little better on your finger. Also, we can add a (if engraving
is limited)
smooth "tightening
rod" (welded in pieces of aircraft grade titanium wire) to the inside of most
of our ring models to take up some of the excess looseness. No charge,
of course!
-Q: Do your rings come with
a "comfort-fit" ?
A : Most of them do come with what
we call a "semi-comfort-fit".
The inner edges of our rings are
quite rounded, but not as much as a "traditional" comfort-fit (which is
very, very rounded, making the interior of the ring looking similar to
a slight dome profile). A semi-comfort fit ensures a nice, tight fit with
all required comfort.
-Some of our models cannot be comfort-fitted,
such as the slim profiles (Stealth) and tension settings. However, the
ring edges are always slightly rounded and smooth to avoid discomfort due
to sharp angles. We can alter a semi comfort-fit to a true comfort fit
upon request, but note that doing so it may affect the sizing requirements.
-Q: What should be done
if the ring does not fit ?
A : If you mistakenly ordered the
wrong ring size, or if you were improperly sized, our warranty covers sizing
up to a 1/2 size loosening -or 1/4 size "titanium rod" tightening only,
for most styles, at no additional charge. But some specific
models (the extra slim stealth band, for example) may need to be entirely
re-crafted, even if required resizing is within a half-size looser.
Titanium rod size tightening is
available for basic rings as well as special shaped rings and etched design
rings of 5mm width or greater.
This rod size tightening is the
addition of a smooth titanium metal wire segment to the inside of
the band. It is smooth enough to not be felt normally , but may not be
for everyone! It is particularly helpful for reducing ring movement with
people with large knuckles and slender fingers. Please keep in mind that
the your ring engraving must not be too long to allow for a space for the
titanium drop to be added!
-Sizing a band even tighter than
the titanium rod allows or more than a half-size looser will require recrafting
a whole new ring, therefore a nominal charge of US$50 for basic bands,
US$75 for bands with special shapes and etched designs or gold (or other
material) inserts, and US$100 for tension bands applies.
If we delivered the wrong size,
we will resize or re-make a new ring for you, totally free of charge.
You will find more details in our
warranty and sizing pages.
-Q: What happens if I do
not like my ring once I have it on hand ?
A : That does not happen often...
;) However, we do have a return policy. You will find all details in our
"warranty" page (you will find the link in the blue bar at the bottom of
this page.)
Any
other questions ? email us : support@titaniumrings.com
|