Metal Info & Care
How to care for your productsMetal Information
TITANIUM is an amazing metal. It is light weight, super strong, and completely hypo-allergenic. It is a reactive metal, and colours with heat or electricity. This is not a paint or a dye – Heat or electricity causes oxidization on the metal. It can be created with a conductive water bath, anode and anodizer or a high heat source. The oxidation layer is actually clear, but as the light refracts thru this layer, the thicker the layer, the brighter the colour. The colour is determined by the voltage used. Dark purples and dark blues are on the lower voltage scale and the violets, teals and bright greens at the high end. There is a slightly matt finish once anodized.
NIOBIUM is also a reactive metal, softer and heavier, but more expensive than TITANIUM. However it is also completely hypo-allergenic. It anodizes easier than titanium and gives a much shinier colour than TITANIUM.
Both TITANIUM and NIOBIUM can be cleaned by simply washing in warm water using gentle liquid detergent and dried immediately using a soft cloth. This will restore the colour and a clean shiny finish that may be dulled by skin oils or hair/skin products. No fancy jewellery cleaners needed!
BLACK TITANIUM is a process that takes approximately 1 week and uses heat, silicon carbide, and many days tumbling to achieve the silky, smooth texture and shine. This finish can lighten over time if worn 24/7. It will not rub off on your skin or clothes. It can also be cleaned by washing in warm water using gentle liquid detergent and dried immediately using a soft cloth to restore the shiny finish.
BRONZE (CuSn1) used is from Zili Maille in Germany. I love using this BRONZE due to the copper content, and rosy colour which mimics rose gold. The un–oxidized finish is shiny, and rosy in colour, however over time the finish will darken as the metal oxidizes. Some people like the darker finish and leave as is. If you like the lighter, rosy BRONZE finish, simply rub for 30 seconds with ketchup or lemon juice, then wash with warm water and gentle liquid detergent, and dry immediately with a soft cloth.
The colour on anodized TITANIUM and NIOBIUM is actually a clear oxide layer created with electricity. The colours are created as light refracts thru the oxide layers. The variety of colours depends on the thickness of the oxide layer. The thinner the layer, the darker the colour. Dark purples and blues at the lower end of the chart to bright teals and greens at the top end. The colours that can be achieved are found on a voltage chart for reactive metals.
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Care for your Anodized Metal Jewellery
Anodized Metal Jewellery is lightweight and does not tarnish. Over time skin oils and/or exposure to hair and body products can build up on the surface of your jewellery making it look blotchy, faded, dull or showing fingerprints. Never fear, the colour can be restored back to its original beautiful luster with very warm water and mild liquid detergent and drying immediately with a soft cloth.
Anodized jewellery can also be scratched by sharp objects or other metals, but it is generally quite durable. However avoid chemicals like chlorine, as you would with most jewellery.