Zirconium wedding rings (grey & black wedding rings)

Zirconium is a metallic chemical element with the symbol Zr. In its original form, zirconium is a greyish-blue metal, but it can be treated to achieve a beautiful black finish.

Zirconium is used in various fields:

• In medicine: Zirconium is used in medical devices such as prosthetics and surgical instruments because it is biocompatible and withstands bodily fluids well.
• In the aerospace industry: Zirconium is used in the manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft parts such as wings, bodies, and engines due to its lightweight and durable properties.
• In nuclear technology: Zirconium’s excellent corrosion resistance and high-temperature tolerance make it an ideal material for nuclear fuel cladding in nuclear reactors.
  
  AND OF COURSE…
• In jewelry: Zirconium jewelry is popular for its modern look, durability, and affordability. Zirconium jewelry can have various finishes, including black or grey, matte or polished, and can be adorned with different stones or engravings to create a unique and personalized appearance.

Zirconium in FRONT jewelry: 

We use zirconium a lot, especially in the creation of wedding rings, though it can certainly be used to make other types of jewelry as well. Choosing wedding rings is a significant step for couples getting married, as these small yet important pieces carry deep meaning and symbolism. Traditionally, wedding rings are made of gold, but nowadays, more and more couples seek something unique and modern that reflects their personality and style. One such innovative choice is black wedding rings made from zirconium, which combine timeless elegance with contemporary design. Additionally, zirconium is strong and highly durable over time.

Advantages of Zirconium in Jewelry:

• Durability and Wear Resistance: Zirconium is a very durable and wear-resistant material, making it an ideal choice for everyday wear. For wedding rings, durability is especially important as they are worn daily throughout life. Compared to gold, zirconium’s finish (matte/polished) remains intact much better over time.
• Lightweight: Zirconium is a lightweight metal, making the rings comfortable and barely noticeable to wear.
• Black Finish: One of the most loved features of zirconium is its ability to achieve a beautiful black finish. Zirconium is originally titanium-grey, but when heated to high temperatures, it turns black. Black wedding rings are an ideal choice for those seeking something truly unique and bold.
  Note: Read below about the possible wear of the black finish.
• Beautiful Grey Tone: As mentioned earlier, zirconium is originally titanium-grey, which is also very beautiful and unique. 
• Affordability: Zirconium is cheaper than some traditional jewelry metals like gold or platinum, making it an attractive choice for couples looking for rings on a smaller budget. Despite the lower cost, there is no need to compromise on quality, as zirconium remains a durable and elegant material.
• Skin-Friendly and Extremely Low Allergenic Risk: Zirconium is a clinical material, meaning it is very skin-friendly and has a very low risk of causing allergies. This makes zirconium an ideal choice for those with sensitive skin or allergies to other metals. Additionally, zirconium does not require lining with other metals (such as gold), unless it is for aesthetic purposes.

Disadvantages of Zirconium in Jewelry:

• Possible Wear of the Black Finish: With black-finished rings, it’s important to note that the black tone may wear off in places over time. Since the black finish is on the surface of the ring (not throughout), it can gradually wear away in spots, revealing the grey tone of zirconium underneath. This can happen if the ring comes into contact with harsh chemicals, abrasive substances, or strong friction.
  The black finish on rings is restorable, but one should be aware that such rings may require occasional maintenance. If the rings are entirely made of zirconium (without gold inlays), reapplying the black finish is very simple. If gold is used along with zirconium, refreshing the finish is a bit more complicated but still doable.
  Depending on the ring’s design, the wear over time can actually give the rings a new and cool finish. For example, faceted black rings tend to wear at the peaks of the facets, and slight wear can add an interesting depth to the finish.
• Difficulty in Resizing Rings: Since zirconium is only cold-worked, resizing a zirconium ring is much more difficult (compared to gold rings) and often even impossible. If the size of a zirconium ring doesn’t fit, a completely new ring often needs to be made.
• Technological Design Limitations: Since zirconium is only cold-worked (it cannot be cast like gold, for instance), this somewhat limits the range of designs. Creating more intricate and detailed patterns and designs is more challenging with zirconium compared to heat-treated metals like gold or silver. However, very unique and exciting designs can still be created from zirconium, and the selection is by no means small.

Care and Maintenance of Zirconium Jewelry:

• Cleaning: To clean zirconium rings, use warm water and a soft brush or cloth. If the ring is dirty, you can add a bit of dish soap. After cleaning, dry the ring thoroughly.
• Avoid Strong Mechanical Contact: It is especially important to avoid wearing the ring during activities that might cause mechanical damage. The most common culprits for damaging the finish of zirconium rings, as well as rings made from other metals, are strong metal objects like serrated weights or tools. Surprisingly, even tile edges around pools can often damage the ring’s finish. Such contacts can cause scratches, dents, or other damage, which can be especially noticeable on black-finished jewelry.
• Avoid Contact with Harsh Substances: Avoid exposing zirconium rings to harsh chemicals, such as chlorine and household cleaning agents.>
  
  Note: If a ring made by us needs maintenance, please bring the ring back to us for servicing.

Examples of our designs and prices:

The exact price of rings always depends on the specific materials, the size/width of the rings, and the particular design and its complexity. Therefore, the prices listed below are indicative but still provide an idea of the approximate price range.