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Cobalt chrome wedding rings are a newer option on the market, and many people are curious about the differences between them and titanium rings.
Both materials are extremely durable and can stand up to a lot of wear and tear. Moreover, they have a very similar appearance.
In this post, we compare pros and cons of cobalt vs titanium rings!
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What is cobalt?
Cobalt is a hard, silver-white metal that is found in the Earth’s crust. It is the sixth most abundant element in the world.
Cobalt has an atomic number of 27 and a symbol of Co. It is a member of the transition metals on the periodic table, also known as the transition metals which include gold, silver, tungsten, palladium, copper besides others.
Cobalt has a hardness of 5 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable metal that can withstand some wear and tear. It is often used in alloys because of its toughness and resistance to corrosion.
Cobalt is used in many applications because of its unique properties. In recent years, it has become an increasingly sought-after material in a number of different sectors. Its unique properties have made it a popular choice for jewelry makers, who use it to create rings and other pieces that are both beautiful and durable.
In jewelry, it is used in the form of cobalt chrome, which has a higher hardness level at 7 on the Mohs scale. This is an alloy of cobalt with chromium.
Cobalt is also used in the production of medical implants and other medical devices, as well as in the manufacturing of jet engines and other high-tech equipment.
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What is titanium?
Titanium is a metal that is found in the earth’s crust. It has the atomic number 22 and the element symbol Ti.
Titanium is a silver-white metal that is strong and lightweight.
Titanium is strong and has a high resistance to corrosion, making it a popular choice for many types of products. It is also non-toxic, making it a good choice for medical implants. Titanium has a hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it one of the hardest metals available.
It has a very high strength-to-weight ratio.
Titanium is used in a variety of sectors. In the jewelry sector, rings, bracelets and piercings are popular items made with titanium.
In the medical implant sector, titanium is often used because it is biocompatible and does not corrode in the body.
As a result, it is often used for hip and knee replacements, dental implants, and other medical implants. Additionally, titanium has been used in biomedical applications such as prosthetic devices and bone screws.
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Pros and cons of cobalt vs titanium rings
1. Color
Both cobalt chrome and titanium rings have a similar white metallic color, with the former being more shiny.
The appearance of cobalt rings is closer to rhodium-plated white gold rings than titanium rings.
They both come in many finishes like hammered, brushed, polished or satin finish.
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2. Durability
Both metals are very durable material choices for jewelry. Cobalt chrome is a harder metal than titanium. So cobalt chrome rings are more durable, and they will endure better against everyday wear and tear.
Both metals have high corrosion resistance. They do not tarnish like sterling silver.
However, titanium is more lightweight than cobalt chrome, so it may be a better choice if you are looking for a ring that is not too heavy.
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3. Hypoallergenic property
People with sensitive skin may experience unease with some jewelry metals. If these do have allergen metals like nickel or lead, allergic reactions may occur. Possible symptoms of metal allergy include blisters, itches, swelling or even headaches.
Happily, there is a group of metals that are considered safe. The list includes precious metals gold, silver, palladium, platinum and other non-precious metals like rhodium, niobium and more.
Both titanium and cobalt chrome are hypoallergenic metals and considered safe for people with sensitive skin. They are good options for jewelry metals.
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4. Weight
A cobalt ring weighs about double a similar titanium ring because of its high density.
Titanium is a very lightweight metal with a density of only 4.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
On the other hand, cobalt is a more dense metal with a density of 8.9 g/cm3.
5. Price
Titanium is a very abundant metal. It is the 4th most common metal on the Earth’s crust.
The ease of extraction is reflected in the price of the rings.
As of writing, titanium rings will cost about half or third of similar cobalt chrome rings. This is a very rough statement, and it is subject to change with market conditions.
Please note that metal prices are subject to fluctuations and many factors like brand, collection, inlay metals and gemstones affect the final price.
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Conclusion: Cobalt vs titanium rings: which one is better?
When choosing a wedding band, couples have many options to consider. Two of the most popular choices gaining momentum are titanium and cobalt chrome rings. Both metals are incredibly durable and hard, but which is the better choice for you?
If you prefer more luster like rhodium plated bands, cobalt chrome rings are your winner. They clearly outshine titanium rings.
Cobalt rings are slightly harder than titanium rings, but both are incredibly scratch resistant.
They are less hard than tungsten carbide rings.
They have high corrosion resistance. They are also immune from tarnishing like some other metals.
They are both good candidates which will keep you safe from allergies as they are hypoallergenic. They are very unlikely to cause skin irritations.
When we come to weight, titanium clearly takes the lead. It has a very low density that assures lightweight bands on your finger.
But, some people may prefer to feel more their ring. Then for those, a cobalt chrome ring may be the better choice.
Beside weight, titanium bands offer better prices. They are generally more affordable than cobalt chrome ones. This is not surprising as the metal is more abundant and easier to extract and manipulate.
In the end, the choice between titanium and cobalt chrome rings comes down to personal preference. Both metals offer similar benefits in terms of hardness and durability. Cobalt rings show more luster while titanium bands have more matte appearances, and they weigh much less.