Gilletts Jewellery Information

Jewellery Information Service

Share information about your shipping rates, return policy or contact information.

Titanium Rings: Unveiling the Essentials

Experience the world of titanium rings through our comprehensive guide. From understanding titanium's unique properties to exploring design options, we've compiled all the answers you seek. Dive into the realm of this exceptional metal for both dress and wedding rings, where strength meets elegance.

Titanium: A Unique Metal Titanium, a natural element with a silver-greyish-white hue, reigns as the world's hardest natural metal. It boasts incredible strength, outshining gold, silver, and platinum, yet remains lightweight. This hypoallergenic metal doesn't react with your skin, ensuring a comfortable wear.

Why Opt for Titanium? Embrace titanium's distinctive traits that make it an exceptional choice for jewelry. Beyond its strength and scratch-resistance, titanium offers a spectrum of captivating colors that other metals can't replicate. Our colored titanium rings, including blue, purple, and more, showcase its versatility and allure.

Purity in Grade Our commitment to quality extends to the titanium we use, a commercial-grade titanium with 99.9% purity. Its hypoallergenic and allergy-free nature ensures comfort and safety.

Hypoallergenic Assurance Pure titanium is hypoallergenic, causing no skin irritation or discoloration. Unlike other metals, it remains unaffected by sunlight or saltwater, making it an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin.

Colorful Transformations The mesmerizing colors of our titanium rings aren't mere coatings; they result from oxidation. This unique process creates hues that won't fade or chip. While titanium is scratch-resistant, scratches may occur over time, revealing the natural color beneath.

Exploring Colors Our titanium rings offer a captivating array of colors, from vibrant blue to black rainbow. This transition between colors during oxidation adds to the charm of each ring's uniqueness.

Engraving Your Story Customize your titanium ring with a personal touch. Engraving options are available for a modest fee, adding sentimental value to your cherished piece.

Resizing and Beyond Titanium rings can't be resized due to their exceptional strength. Our suggestion? Double-check your finger size with a local jeweler before ordering.

Combining Elegance: Gold and Titanium Discover the allure of combined titanium and gold rings, available in white or yellow gold. This fusion yields distinctive styles with edges or inlay stripes.

Width Variety Our titanium-only styles offer widths ranging from 3mm to 10mm, allowing you to select the perfect fit for your taste.

Suitable for All Our rings cater to both men and ladies, offering a versatile range of widths from 3mm to 10mm.

Elegant Satin Finish Opt for elegance with satin-finished titanium rings. Available in light, medium, and heavy textures, satin finish not only enhances aesthetics but also offers protection against wear.

Titanium as Wedding Bands Embrace titanium rings as exquisite wedding bands. Choose satin finishes for added protection, ensuring your rings look splendid for years to come.

Easy Care Cleaning your titanium ring is effortless. Use a soft cloth and warm soapy water, avoiding harsh chemicals. For polished rings, consider an occasional polish by a local jeweler.

Intriguing Designs While titanium's unique properties limit design flexibility, our website displays an array of captivating options for your consideration.

Longevity of Color Enjoy your colored titanium ring, understanding that while it's scratch-resistant, colors may wear over time. Re-oxidation services are available to restore its vibrant charm.

Explore the world of titanium rings with our guide, unveiling the remarkable properties and possibilities of this exceptional metal.

Diamonds are available in varying colours, sizes and qualities. They naturally occur in colours ranging from very clear fine whites to pinks, bright yellows, greens and browns. The majority of diamonds used in jewellery today are white diamonds.

The value of a white diamond is determined by what are commonly referred to as the 4Cs. The 4Cs are the Diamond's Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat. Each of the 4Cs is important, and the most valuable Diamonds are those that possess the best of all four measurements.

Clarity

Clarity is the term used to describe the size and number of inclusions in a diamond. Almost all diamonds contain minute traces of non-crystallised carbon, the element from which they were born. These inclusions are nature's fingerprint, making every diamond unique. Most are not discernible to the naked eye and require magnification to become apparent.

Large inclusions interfere with the dispersion of light, thereby reducing the diamond's brilliance. The larger or more numerous the inclusions, the less valuable the diamond. The fewer the inclusions, the rarer the stone. Each diamond will have its unique inclusions in various positions within the diamond. VVs, Vs, and Si inclusions are not visible to the naked eye; they are only visible through magnification.

h3>Under a Microscope

VVs	Vs	Si	P
Very, very slight inclusions	Very slight inclusions	Slight inclusions	Inclusions

With the naked eye


VVs, Vs, Si	P

Colour

While many diamonds appear colourless, or white, they may have subtle yellow or brown tones that can be detected when comparing diamonds side by side. Diamonds were formed under intense heat and pressure, and traces of other elements may have been incorporated into their atomic structure, accounting for the variances in colour.

Diamond colour grades start at D and continue through the alphabet. Truly colourless stones, graded D, are extremely rare and very valuable. The closer a diamond is to being colourless, the rarer and more valuable it is.

The colour of a diamond is graded with the diamond upside down before it is set in a mounting. The first three colours D, E, F are often called collection colour. The subtle changes in collection colour are so minute that it is difficult to identify them in the smaller sizes.

Although the presence of colour makes a diamond less rare and valuable, some diamonds come out of the ground in vivid "fancy" colours - well-defined reds, blues, pinks, greens, and bright yellows. These are highly prized and extremely rare.

Carat

The weight of a diamond is measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 "points" so that a diamond of 25 points is described as a quarter of a carat or 0.25 carats.

The larger the diamond (and therefore the rarer it is), the more expensive it will be per carat. For example, a 1ct diamond costs significantly more than two 1/2ct diamonds, and one 30-point diamond costs substantially more than 30 one-point diamonds.

The Carat measurement of a diamond is actually a measurement of the Diamond's weight rather than its size or diameter. This is important to remember, as depending on the proportions of the Cut of the diamond, some diamonds may appear to have a larger top surface area ("table") than an ideal cut diamond, but they may be of the same carat weight. Diamonds are sometimes cut in shallow proportions (see below) to make a diamond appear larger, but this sacrifices the brilliance and life of the diamond, making it less valuable. See the information about Cut below for further details.

Do not confuse carat with karat. Carat refers to stone weight, while karat refers to the fineness of gold.

Cut

While nature determines a diamond's colour, clarity, and carat weight, the hand of a master craftsman is needed to release its fire and beauty. The cut gives each diamond its unique sparkle and brilliance by allowing the maximum amount of light to enter and reflect back out of the diamond.

Diamonds may be cut in different shapes, with the most common shapes being round (brilliant cut) and what are referred to as fancy cut diamonds, including marquise, oval, pear shape, baguette and princess (square)cuts.


Brilliant Cut	Oval	Pear	Marquise

Ideal proportions

When a diamond is cut to ideal proportions, light is reflected from one facet to another and then dispersed through the top of the stone. The light refracted externally will amplify and disperse the refracted light from within to provide a myriad of colours and an even concentration of light, brilliance and lustre. A skilful Diamond Cutter can unlock an incomparable natural beauty by accurately arranging each facet to maximise the amount of light returned to the eye of the observer.

Too deep

If a diamond is cut too deeply, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion.

Too shallow

If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected.

Top^

So why aren't all Diamonds cut to ideal proportions?

Ideal proportion cut

Largest cut

When a diamond cutter is given a diamond crystal to cut into a finished diamond, they have a choice to make: Will they cut the largest diamond that they can from the rough crystal, or will they cut the brightest and most brilliant diamond that they can?

If the cutter goes for the largest cut diamond they will sacrifice some brilliance. If they go for the most brilliant, they will sacrifice some size.

The more brilliant diamond is smaller, but it is valuable because of its exceptional brilliance. The larger diamond is valuable because it is large, but is worth less per carat because it is not so brilliant.

At Gillett's, we strongly recommend the brighter Ideal Cut because of its brilliance —a brilliance that will last forever.

To find the best Diamond that fits within your price range, it essentially comes down to a compromise between the 4Cs and your consideration of which factors are most important to you. You may choose a larger, lower colour diamond or prefer a smaller, high colour, cut and clarity diamond.

You may for example choose a relatively large 75 point (3/4 carat) diamond in a high colour F collection colour and a slightly lower Si1 clarity. This means that you have a large diamond with a very good colour and which to the naked eye does not have any inclusions. On the other hand, having a diamond that has as few inclusions as possible may be important to you (even if you need a microscope to see the inclusions), in that case you may choose a high VVs or Vs clarity, a good colour G and a smaller diamond carat weight.

Once you know how diamond grading works, it's just a matter for you to decide what is best for you.

9ct Gold vs 18ct Gold

One of the most common questions we receive from couples planning their custom engagement or wedding rings is "What is the difference between 9ct and 18ct gold?" This guide will walk you through the main characteristics that set them apart.

You may be wondering what exactly ‘ct’ or sometimes seen as ‘K’, refers to. The ‘carat’ of a metal denotes the percentage of pure gold in the alloy, with 9ct being 37.5% and 18ct 75% pure gold.

Gold in its purest form is too soft to be used in fine jewellery, so it is commonly mixed with other metals to increase its strength and durability, as well as to create unique colours like Rose Gold and White Gold

Metal Alloys

When it comes to the metal alloys found in 9ct and 18ct gold, the differences primarily lie in their composition.

Gold purity is measured in carats (ct), with 24ct being pure gold. 9ct and 18ct gold are gold alloys, meaning they are mixed with other metals to enhance strength, durability, and alter color.

9ct Gold (37.5% Pure Gold)

Yellow Gold: 37.5% gold, mixed with copper and silver in roughly equal proportions to maintain a warm yellow tone.
Rose Gold: 37.5% gold, with a higher percentage of copper and a smaller amount of silver, giving it a reddish-pink hue.
White Gold: 37.5% gold, alloyed with palladium, nickel, or zinc to create a silvery-white appearance, often plated with rhodium for enhanced whiteness.

18ct Gold (75% Pure Gold)

Yellow Gold: 75% gold, blended with 25% copper and silver to achieve a rich, classic yellow color.
Rose Gold: 75% gold, with a higher ratio of copper to silver, resulting in a deeper rose or pink tone.
White Gold: 75% gold, mixed with palladium, nickel, or other white metals, and typically rhodium-plated for a bright, reflective finish.

The color intensity and durability of these alloys depend on the specific metal mix, with 18ct gold being more vibrant due to its higher gold content, while 9ct gold is more durable because of the larger proportion of other metals.

Metal Colours

The colour variations in gold metals occur due to the specific alloys used in the mixture. When pure gold is combined with other metals, it not only strengthens the material but also affects its hue. For example, adding copper creates a warm, pinkish tone known as Rose Gold, while mixing gold with palladium or nickel results in the cooler, silvery finish of White Gold. Each metal contributes its unique traits, affecting both the appearance and properties of the final product, allowing for a range of beautiful colours to suit individual preferences.

Durability and Tarnish

9ct gold consists of a higher proportion of non-precious metals, with 62.5% compared to 18ct gold, which contains 75% pure gold. Many people mistakenly think that this makes 9ct gold more durable for everyday use, but that's incorrect. The extra metals in 9ct gold actually lower its density, causing it to wear down faster. On the other hand, 18ct gold not only boasts greater durability and resistance to wear but is also less prone to tarnishing due to its significantly higher gold content. This makes 18ct gold a superior choice for daily wear.

9ct Gold

Not as dense and tend to wear over time.

18ct gold ✅

Better withstands impacts and endures through daily use, and is less prone to tarnish

9ct vs 18ct Summary

When comparing 18ct gold and 9ct gold, 18ct is definitely worth considering due to its higher price, which is justified by its greater gold content, resulting in superior durability and performance. While 9ct can be a good choice for occasional jewellery items, such as dress rings and earrings, 18ct is better suited for everyday pieces, like engagement and wedding rings.

It’s important to differentiate between 18ct white gold and platinum. Platinum is a denser, nearly pure white metal (95%) known for its long-lasting durability, making it ideal for intricate engagement ring settings. Unlike white gold, platinum doesn’t require rhodium plating as it maintains its natural colour. However, platinum typically comes at a higher price than 18ct gold.

Precious Metals Guide

Share information about your shipping rates, return policy or contact information.

Titanium Rings - Information