What is hypoallergenic jewellery? (Our 5 proven benefits of Titanium)

Colouring Titanium from TouchTitanium

What is hypoallergenic jewellery?

Hyopallergenic jewellery is a unique class of jewellery which is less likely to cause an allergic skin reaction when worn for prolonged periods of time. There is no exact defined measurement for the word 'hypoallergenic' but the qualities of hypoallergenic jewellery are essential for people with sensitive skin to continue to express theselves by enjoying the jewellery they love.  Although other metals can be classed as more hypoallergenic and less likely to cause a reaction, Gold, Silver, Platinum and even Stainless Steel may all still cause reactions to some wearers. And this is why we specialise exclusively in titanium jewellery, which makes TouchTitanium.com one of a kind.

Titanium is the hypoallergenic solution

Did you know, Titanium has the highest strength to weight ratio of all other metals (45% more tensile strength than Steel to be precise!). Within the jewellery trade, titanium's best traits are exemplified by its hypoallergenic qualities, meaning that it is much less likely to cause an allergic reaction when in close contact with the skin for prolonged periods of time.

We have come to associate the metal with high performance industries where durability and reliability are imperative; Aircraft manufacture, performance sporting accessories, protective equipment and bionic instruments for instance. However, one of the most incredible traits of Titanium is its ability to live and work in harmony with the human body. Conventional jewellery made from metals such as Silver, Nickel, Copper and Tin all have a level of risk involved. The effects that these metals can have on the skin can sometimes be alarming; red rashes, skin sores and prickly spots. To read more about this topic, please visit our About Us page, and read more at mayoclinic.org

Discovered in the 18th century and aptly named after the 'Titans' - Greek Gods who ruled the world - Titanium has many incredible qualities which complement jewellery making.

5 key benefits of titanium

Discovered in the 18th century and aptly named after the 'Titans' - Greek Gods who ruled the world - Titanium has many incredible qualities that complement jewellery making. We have listed the top five below.

01. Strength With 45% more tensile strength than steel, Titanium has the highest strength to density ratio of all metals. This makes it great for slimline wedding bands and wirework earrings. Our products produced in the 80s are still going strong!
02. Resilience Titanium is resistant to sea water and chlorine which means it's fine to wear your earrings in the shower or even in the pool if the butterfly's are secure.
03. Bio-compatibility All of our jewellery is hypoallergenic and safe to wear for all skin types. Titanium is safely used in medical applications every day, often to replace the human skeleton in hip replacements. The blend of qualities (strength and weight) are unique to Titanium.
04. Scratch resistance Titanium metal is more scratch, dent and wear resistant than other metals in its class. Again this is a great quality for our titanium wedding rings.
05. Colourful Unlike other metals, titanium can be coloured using water and electricity to achieve a glorious rainbow effect which - if designed correctly - will last the test of time and restore to its full glory with a bit of soap and water.

Titanium in our jewellery

Allergic reactions to metals are more common than you might think, affecting up to 15% of people.  Other less sensitive metals used in jewellery making are gold, silver, palladium and platinum. Stainless steel is also used in costume jewellery and mass produced items. The down side to surgical stainless steel is that it is often combined with up to 13% nickel, which can cause hypersensitivity and dermatitis for the more sensitive skin types.

Working with titanium colouring at TouchTitanium.com

What is dermatitis?

The word dermatitis simply means 'skin inflammation. It is not contagious, but will often cause discomfort including rashes, swelling and skin pain. Metal hypersensitivity can also manifest itself as more chronic conditions such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. The inflammatory response from wearing some metals on the body develops slowly and reaches a peak within 24–72 hours.  Cases of sensitivity toward titanium are very rare. As a biocompatible metal, titanium is often used within the body to replace human bones.

"It is estimated that up to 17% of women and 3% of men are allergic to nickel."

"We work exclusively with pure titanium because it's hypoallergenic and biocompatible qualities are unmatched by any other metal."


We use commercially pure titanium

At TouchTitanium.com, we work with commercially pure titanium which is over 98% pure titanium and the purest available to the retail industry. Many other precious or semi-precious metals are made up of an alloy of various other metals which lend qualities in turn to the final product. The purity of titanium is another strength worth singing about. Commercially pure titanium makes the hypoallergenic qualities of our jewellery the best they can possibly be. So, if your skin reacts to platinum, gold, silver, nickel, steel, or any other metal, why not consider giving titanium a whirl. It truly is an exceptional and unique metal.

Strong, Clean, Colourful, Lightweight and Beautiful

The vibrant colours of our products are produced using a process called anodic oxidation. Practically any hue/colour can be achieved by passing an electric voltage through the metal in a controlled environment. Although the process still remains extremely specialist, our workshop have remained the most experienced and equipped in the United Kingdom for over 30 years. Our colouring process is undertaken patiently and skill-fully, each by hand, using custom built equipment which was designed and built specifically for the task.

Titanium Colour Spectrum

The colours above are a photo representation of the exact colours we can achieve via electrical oxidation in our workshop. This is done by hand.


Finishing Options

We offer a range of finishing options and we list each item in all finishes available. Our cufflink range is a great starting point to see the types of finishes we offer.

  • Polished: Shiny finish with glossy finish
  • Brushed: Polished with a fine wire wool for a smooth texture
  • Hammered: Distinctively textured with a mottled effect achieved by hand
  • Engraved: Intricate details set in to the shape of the piece can also be coloured
40
years experience
100%
handmade / finished
500+
products in stock