WHY TITANIUM?
There is a growing population of people that are sensitive to metals containing nickel alloy, including gold, platinum and silver, and do not want to give up wearing jewelry.
All of my earrings are handcrafted out of PURE Grade 1 Titanium wire, containing NO alloys, and are constructed by using cold connections (NO heat) and bench-worked techniques using hand tools.
The titanium earrings that I offer are designed and individually crafted, allowing me to enjoy the creative process and interact with the needs of a select group of people. Mass produced jewelry does not take into consideration tweaks and changes to a design...I fill that need.
There is a growing population of people that are sensitive to metals containing nickel alloy, including gold, platinum and silver, and do not want to give up wearing jewelry.
All of my earrings are handcrafted out of PURE Grade 1 Titanium wire, containing NO alloys, and are constructed by using cold connections (NO heat) and bench-worked techniques using hand tools.
The titanium earrings that I offer are designed and individually crafted, allowing me to enjoy the creative process and interact with the needs of a select group of people. Mass produced jewelry does not take into consideration tweaks and changes to a design...I fill that need.
What makes Titanium different from other metals?
Silver, gold and copper have melting temperatures of 961.78, 1064 and 1085 degrees Celsius respectively, and can be annealed (heated) causing the metal to move easily when shaped and forged with hand tools. When the metal being formed becomes work hardened, it can be annealed again to soften , making it easier to respond to a lighter touch. With care, you can anneal these metals as many times as necessary until you have your final piece.
Titanium, on the other hand, with a melting temperature of 1668 degrees Celsius, does not respond to heat in the same way as other metals and cannot be annealed to become more malleable. *Standard jeweler's practices, such as soldering and annealing, are not an option when working with titanium, because the metal becomes brittle at higher temperatures. Consequently, the heavier the gauge of titanium, and the wider and thinner it becomes takes considerably more physical force. Lighter weight wire can more easily be flatted, but controlling the shape can be difficult when bench working, no matter what the gauge or thickness of wire. For example: as part of the process, I may work four different weights and shapes of hammers back and forth to form what appears to be a simple flattened earring or dangle.
One of the many advantages to the wearer of Titanium is the superior flexibility and memory that tooled Titanium offers without becoming brittle. The same style earring as pictured, made out of silver or gold, would become work hardened and break when flexed with normal wear.
Titanium is also incredibly light weight making it possible to wear long dangles and large hoops without stretching your earlobes!
Titanium is also incredibly light weight making it possible to wear long dangles and large hoops without stretching your earlobes!
*With the use of expensive equipment, Titanium can be machine milled, brazed and welded.
