Titanium Anodizing for Body Piercing Jewelry

TITANIUM ANODIZING FOR BODY PIERCING JEWELRY

When it comes to body piercing jewelry, having many options and choices is typical and one way to create an endless array of choices is to anodize titanium jewelry. Now, you may be asking what is titanium anodized jewelry? Titanium anodizing is an electrochemical treatment that transforms the metal and offers various benefits for body piercing jewelry. Below, we will discuss what titanium anodizing is, what colors you can achieve from it, whether or not it's safe for body piercing, how you can do it, and how to care for the piercing.

WHAT IS TITANIUM ANODIZING?

Let's start by defining titanium anodizing. Anodizing titanium uses an electrolytic process to cover the metal with a defensive coating formed with titanium oxide.

But why titanium? Titanium naturally has a layer of oxide coating, so when you use the electrochemical process to anodize it, this oxide layer can shift to different fun colors.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF TITANIUM ANODIZING

You can use three different types of anodizing processes to create varying grades of titanium. Types 2 and 3 are the most common since Type 1 requires high-tech lab equipment.

Type 1 anodizing improves the durability of the jewelry. This anodization process coats the jewelry in a lubricant so that the raw titanium cannot rub together. Rubbing titanium without lubricant can create titanium dust that irritates your skin.

Type 2 anodized jewelry can withstand saltwater, humidity, high heat levels, scratches, and corrosion resistance. This durability makes it great for applications outside of body piercing, like industrial ships and aircrafts. The Type 2 anodizing standard is AMS 2488.

Type 3 anodization changes the color of the jewelry. Since the purpose is purely visual, there are no industry standards around anodizing at this grade. Jewelers are free to create a vast array of different colors.

WHAT ARE THE TYPICAL COLORS THAT YOU CAN ACHIEVE?

Many people think that all vibrantly colored piercing jewelry is dyed or painted. In most cases, these bright colors are a result of titanium anodization. Type 2 titanium anodization results in a smooth, gray finish, while Type 3 can create a rainbow of colors.

With Type 3 anodizing, you can achieve the following colors:

Gold
Silver
Bronze
Light blue
Blue
Purple
Magenta
Rose
Green
Teal

These colors work as a spectrum, meaning that there are hundreds of variations and blends that you can achieve based on the level of anodization. The color will transform as one adds more voltage, so the jeweler can always move up to higher voltage colors but cannot go back.

IS TITANIUM ANODIZING SAFE FOR BODY PIERCING JEWELRY?

Not only is titanium anodizing safe for body piercing jewelry, but many piercers recommend it. Because of the oxide coating, the jewelry is less irritating, allowing your piercing to heal quickly without painful infections or complications. Anodized titanium is one of the least reactive materials, making it a great hypoallergenic option.

Aside from how it benefits your body, anodized titanium is durable and can last much longer than many other jewelry options. Often, especially after a new piercing, you will not take out your jewelry for months or even years. With titanium anodizing, you don't need to worry about the jewelry wearing down from hot showering, ocean swims, or any other activities.

OTHER BENEFITS OF TITANIUM ANODIZED JEWELRY

Titanium anodized jewelry is popular for several reasons. It's safe, durable, and offers many benefits.

Rainbow of color options: Color anodization can create exciting color illusions that blend into a rainbow appearance, like slick oil on wet pavement. Even the Type 2 anodization process develops a dark gray that appears deeper than traditional steel.
No metal smell: Titanium anodized jewelry is odor-free so that you can avoid the metallic scent of other metals.
Durable coating: Since the titanium process creates a durable layer on the jewelry, you can wear your new piercing without fear of breaking it easily.
Comfortable to wear: The lubricated coating allows for a more comfortable healing experience and day-to-day wear.
Non-magnetic: Anodized titanium is non-reactive and non-magnetic, which is a safe option if you deal with reactive equipment often.

HOW TO ANODIZE TITANIUM JEWELRY

Anodizing titanium jewelry might sound like a complex chemical process that requires serious lab equipment and training, but you can do Type 3 in your shop with just a few simple steps.

Before we dive into how you can anodize titanium jewelry to create fun colors, let's talk about what you will need:

Titanium jewelry
An anodizer machine
Plastic containers or any non-reactive vessel
Degreaser
Ultrasonic cleaner
Sulfuric acid or any rust stain remover
TSP (Trisodium Phosphate or Borax)
Distilled water
Non-reactive metal
Alligator clips
Protective gloves and eyewear
Acetone
Paper towels

After gathering all material, remember that you must treat this process with careful preparations. Like any scientific experiment, you should utilize safety precautions and a sterile environment.

STEP 1: PREP THE JEWELRY

First, prepare your workspace and adequately clean all your tools and materials. Once everything is ready, clean the titanium jewelry with the ultrasonic cleaner. Put on your gloves before touching the jewelry to avoid spreading additional dirt.

Use the degreaser thoroughly to detail all areas of the titanium. If you miss any specs of dirt, they will be visible after the anodizing process, and the color will look defective. Once cleaned, rinse the jewelry in water.

STEP 2: CREATE THE ELECTROLYTE SOLUTION

To create the electrolyte solution, you will need TSP and distilled water. Mix 3oz of TSP and 1 gallon of distilled water in a plastic container and stir consistently until everything is completely dissolved.

If you cannot find TSP at your local pharmacy, you can also use trisodium phosphate or Borax, a chemical commonly found at hardware stores.

STEP 3: SETUP YOUR ANODIZER

The amount of voltage you use will determine the color of the titanium. Use an anodizing color chart to find your desired color and voltage.

Follow manufacturers process for setting up anodizer.

Place steel sheet in the bowl at the bottom with part of it sticking out to connect to power supply
Add the TSP solution to the bowl
Place basket on top of bowl
Plug anodizer into electrical outlet
Plug +/- connectors into anodizer
Make sure titanium wand is clean (light brushing with scotch brite pad will work)
Attach cathode (black) to foil, anode (red) to titanium wand
Clean up and spilled solution around work area to avoid risk of electrical shock

STEP 4: ADD VOLTAGE UNTIL YOU REACH THE DESIRED COLOR

The more voltage you add, the more the color will continue to develop. The jewelry will turn bronze at 10 volts and then continue shifting until it reaches green. The order of colors starts at bronze and moves through purple, blue, light blue, gold, rose, magenta, teal, and finally green, at 110 volts.

Remember that you cannot move backward in color, but you can always add more volts. If you go too far and want to move back, you can attempt to scrub the anodized metal with sandpaper and try again, though this will not always work. We recommend using a high-alkaline cleaner to remove the oxidized coating.

Keep in mind that you must repeat the prep and cleaning process to achieve great results if you are starting over.

Place jewelry into basket completely
- Submerge jewelry completely in the TSP solution
Once submerged turn your voltage to 12-15v to start the process, once bronze is achieved then work up to your desired color voltage slowly (ex. 92v is blurple)
- This is to get an even and consistent coverage of the jewelry
- If done quickly you will run the risk of burning the wand to the jewelry giving an inconsistent color
Gently tap the jewelry slowly during this time with the titanium wand to ensure a full anodization of the jewelry.
Once complete pull jewelry out with a non-abrasive tool (ex. Plastic tweezers or brass forceps)
- You do not want to damage the jewelry or tarnish the anodization
Visually inspect jewelry for full anodization.
Clean jewelry in an ultra-sonic cleaner for 10-15 min or clean by hand thoroughly.
- This is to ensure a full coverage of the jewelry and to remove any and all TSP solution that might remain.
Reassemble jewelry and autoclave for sterilization.

HOW DO YOU CARE FOR ANODIZED PIERCING JEWELRY?

Caring for anodized piercing jewelry is similar to any other new piercings. Anodized titanium might be durable, but it isn't invincible. The metal itself will stay safe within your piercing, though the colored coating can fade as it rubs against your body.

This fading is natural and will not cause harm to your piercing, though you can avoid it. Ensure that your new jewelry lasts a lifetime by properly maintaining it

Avoid chlorine: Swimming in a chlorine pool can cause the color to fade quickly and can irritate your piercing by drying out your skin.
Avoid sweat contact: Skin sweat and oils can wear down vibrant colors, but this is often hard to avoid. Consider using a retainer for your jewelry before any hot activities.
Avoid external chemicals: Any chemicals found in face washes, makeup and makeup removers, perfumes, and hair sprays can cause the jewelry to fade more quickly. Try to find mild products and avoid contact with the jewelry when applying.
Clean with mild soap: You should clean anodized titanium with a mild detergent and warm water. Avoid all harsh chemicals, like bleach, when cleaning.
Don't over clean: The jewelry only needs to be cleaned a couple of times a year. If it's a new piercing, you will need to clean it more often. Once healed, avoid excess cleaning to protect the color.
Store in dry areas: When you're not wearing the jewelry, keep it in a sealed plastic bag with a paper towel to keep the piece dry and protected from external elements.

If you have any questions about the process, please Contact Us for more information.