ALTERNATIVE METALS
Stainless
Steel
Steel's popularity as a jewelry material, especially in men's jewelry, has
increased in recent years. Steel is an iron-carbon alloy that has been used for
millennia in crafting tools, structures, and manufacturing. Stainless steel was
developed in the 19th century with a composition of 10 percent chromium and
0.15 percent carbon added to iron. Stainless steel resists corrosion better
than earlier alloys. It does rust, but the rust (or oxide) is a thin layer that
protects the metal from reacting with water or air. With its attractive grey
color, strength, and relatively low cost, stainless steel jewelry is a good
alternative to pricier metals such as silver or white gold. Stainless steel
jewelry and watches resist tarnish and are hypo-allergenic.
Titanium
A common metal, titanium became valuable to industry in the mid-20th century as
an indispensable aerospace material. Titanium has the strength of steel at
about half the weight and can be alloyed with other metals to enhance its
properties. Titanium is also hypo-allergenic, unless alloyed with nickel,
making it suitable for medical equipment and implants, including artificial
hips. These properties make titanium an excellent choice for body jewelry.
Tungsten
Also called wolfram, tungsten was first distilled from the mineral wolframite.
It forms extra-dense alloys when added to other metals, and these alloys are
used in products ranging from golf club heads to weapons. Tungsten is as strong
as steel and about twice the weight. Tungsten resists scratches, corrosion,
tarnish, and discoloration much better than the other industrial metals.
Tungsten Jewelry can be white (silvery grey) or black.
Tungsten
Carbide
Tungsten carbides are compounds of tungsten and carbon: monotungsten carbide
(WC) or ditungsten-carbide (W2C). A tungsten carbide compound is denser than
silver, steel, or titanium, and tungsten carbide jewelry is effectively wear
proof. Pure tungsten jewelry is available; however, pure tungsten is not as
hard as the carbides. Tungsten carbide jewelry is dark grey or black.
Surgical
Stainless Steel
Surgical stainless steel is a steel alloy composed of iron, carbon, 12-20
percent chromium, 8-12 percent nickel, and 0.2-3 percent molybdenum. This steel
is scratch-resistant, and it resists corrosion, even after multiple cleanings.
It is called surgical because many medical implants and surgical tools are made
of it. Body jewelry, especially belly rings, crafted of surgical stainless
steel offers consumers a hygienic product.