Titanium question

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hi All I am interested in inlaying a piece of titanium sheet into
gold. The problem is that I would like to anodize it too. Is it
possible to anodize the titanium when it is already set in the gold?
I’m not too keen to anodize it first before I put it in as I’m
afraid it will scratch in the process. Any advice?

Thanks
Shaun Pearton

2

The instant the electrolyte contacts the gold all the energy will
run through the more conductive gold. You could potentially paint
the set piece but the electrolyte would have to be carefully
controlled. I say color it first and cover it with protective tape while
you are setting it. Bill

3

Bill-- Wouldn’t it also work to cover the gold–very
carefully–with anything that will insulate it? Say, the rubber dip
for tool handles, tape(if it is flat), fingernail polish, rubber
cement, whatever? (Being a belt-and-suspenders type, I would do a
liquid, then tape, if shape allowed.) --Noel

4

the problem is this: the coating/mask must be perfect! If there a
space for the electrolyte to slip through a molecule at a time, it
will. It will become a short circuit in the wink of an eye. It will
spread, fizz and burn. Bill

5

This question is concerning a titanium barbell(body jewelry). I
recently purchased one of these barbells, only to have what appears
like a layer of paint peel off the ball and post after only 2wks
use. So my question is, is this normal wear or some kind of flaw?
Also is there some way of knowing or testing the quality of
titanium? I was told at the point of purchase that titanium was
superior to surgical steel is this true? I was under the impression
that titanium products are made of titanium not coated, am I
correct in this line of thinking?
Thanking-you for any help Ryan @(@go2ashow)

6 
Nothing should peel off of titanium. You did not mention if it was
anodized a color. The oxide that generates the colors is very thin
and will wear off rapidly in a high abrasion situations. It should
wear off not peel off.

Titanium is produced in very large ingots. Say in the range of
10,000lbs. The metal and its alloys are not produced in mom and pop
shops. There are certified to ASTM specifications to the parts per
million. If they cam through my shop they are certified to implant
grade chemistry. Testing you would not want to pay for. See if it is
even slightly magnetic. If it is, it is stainless steel. Titanium is
not magnetic. Bill

Welcome to Reactive Metals Studio, Inc. Our catalog site is
www.reactivemetals.com. Thanks for making contact. Stephanie, Bill,
Deborah, Michele. 800/876-3434, 928/634-3434, Fax 928/634-6734
reactive@sedona.net

7

Another way to test it since most stainless steels are only
marginally magnetic at best would be to run it through an anodizer.

If you do not have an anodizer than a large 24V battery can be used.
Make an electrolyte solution from anything you have handy like TSP,
and hook the positive terminal to the part and the negative to a
piece of stainless steel submerged in the electrolyte bath. Scuff
up the part with some emery cloth and if it turns blue when anodized
it is titanium. If it doesn’t change color then its not, period.

Daniel J. Statman, Statman Designs
www.statmandesigns.com
@Dan_statman