Titanium

Titanium is a light elemental metal similar to niobium in its properties regarding body jewelry. Note that the titanium used in body jewelry is often an alloy containing some aluminum, vanadium, and/or niobium.

Titanium is much lighter than other metals used in body jewelry. In addition, due to its porous nature, care must be taken when finishing to ensure a smooth finish free of contamination from other materials.

The most common grade of titanium alloy used for body jewelry is 6AL4V: 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium and the remaning 90% pure titanium. The reason for this mixure is because this particular alloy mix creates the best layer of titanium oxide, and its this layer that gives titanium its outstanding hypoallergenic properties, as well as its brilliant range of colors obtained through anodizing.