Titanium is completely neutral to the human body and is frequently used in the medical field to replace heart valves, and bones. Because of its neutrality, it is also excellent for use as jewellery. It does not cause irritation or discoloration on the skin, making it a perfectly suitable material for the most sensitive skin types.

Despite its amazing qualities, (lightweight, stable, heat-resistant, rust proof, neutral...) this legendary metal languished in obscurity until the 1950s, when Lockheed built an airplane made almost entirely of titanium : the SR-71 Blackbird spy plane. Soon afterwards, titanium became the metal of choice for the aerospace industry, and is used in space capsules and supersonic airliners.

Today its qualities are well known and appreciated. It is prominently used in the sports and leisure industry, as well as having numerous medical applications. It is also used in architecture (Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain), accessories and jewellery (eyeglass frames, watches, cases, rings...). Apple computers recently put a titanium laptop computer on the market.

Aircraft grade titanium alloys are about 3 times stronger than basic steel, and approximately 45% lighter. They are much more durable than gold, silver, or platinum. Aircraft grade titanium (6Al/4V) is 300 to 800% stronger than basic grade (C.P.) titanium. Extra-hard titanium (6Al/6V/2Sn) is approximately 130% stronger than 6Al/4V titanium. Basic grade titanium's hardness can be compared to Platinum's, only much lighter.

We do believe that strength and resistance to wear is a very important factor when it comes to jewellery that will be worn for a lifetime. Because of aircraft grade titanium's high resistance to everyday wear it will not likely lose any detailing, and it won't break nor bend (unless very abused!). Some of our customers ended up trading their basic grade rings for aircraft grade ones. We have been told that after a few weeks, the rings were very worn and looked like they were several years old ! We thought that this was a little excessive to say, but the truth is that basic grade titaniums resistance to wear is not much greater than regular 14K gold...