Laser Marking Alternative Metals for Jewelry Design
With the current trend towards mixed media in all aspects of life, it’s no surprise to find jewelry following the fashion. Traditionally, jewelry was made of fine metals such as gold, silver, platinum and palladium, but modern jewelry designers are experimenting with a variety of media. From stainless steel through to tungsten, jewelry is getting more adventurous and so is the engraving. With a wide variety of fonts to choose from and the capability to engrave images, and logos technologically-advanced laser marking is coming into its own.
Types of Alternative Metals
Laser marking or laser engraving is a fairly new addition to jewelry design options. It has gained popularity partly because of its durability, with which traditional engraving can’t compare. The durability, however, depends to a degree on the type of metal used, and some of the most popular alternative metals used for making jewelry destined for laser marking include:
Tungsten- Titanium
- Stainless and Surgical Steel
- Cobalt
- Karatium
While some of these are naturally-occurring metals, others such as Karatium are man-made alloys formulated as a response to demand. The market's requirement might be for less costly metals, for an artistic alternative to traditional metals, or simply for the successful laser marking or engraving of text or images on the pieces.
Laser Marking Tungsten
Jewelers frequently experiment with laser engraving on different metals, particularly for rings and pendants. Rings made from tungsten are tough, contemporary and popular. Made from the wolframite mineral, tungsten is added to other metals to form exceptionally dense alloys. As strong as steel and double its weight, tungsten is exceptionally hard and makes beautiful rings. Jewelers use laser marking to engrave design elements on the exterior of the rings, and names or messages of love on the interior.
Laser Marking Titanium
Another very strong metal for use in jewelry, titanium is a new product on the jewelry scene. It’s an industrial metal recently introduced to the jewelry industry, with an attractive silvery-gray tone that gives the pieces an updated, modern look, and it accepts laser marking or laser engraving well. It’s corrosion and discoloration resistant, doesn’t tarnish easily, and has become a very popular alternative for wedding and engagement rings.
Laser Marking Cobalt
Cobalt chrome has proved its compatibility with the human body, being used for decades for surgical joint replacement and dental purposes. It looks very similar to platinum, the Rolls-Royce of precious metals, but is much tougher and more scratch resistant. A light-weight and hypoallergenic metal, cobalt accepts laser marking really well and is perfect for laser engraving jewelry such as pendants, rings, and body piercings. Cobalt does not chip or crack, and the metal’s durability makes it ideal for diamond settings and other high-value jewelry items.
Laser Marking Stainless and Surgical Steel
The iron-carbon alloy used to create steel has been in use for centuries in tools and manufacturing. Developed in the 19th century, stainless steel is made with a 10% chromium and 0.15% carbon addition to iron, and resists corrosion better than earlier alloys do. With its high-shine ability and attractive silver color, stainless steel has gained popularity as an alternative to silver jewelry. Surgical steel, which has a higher percentage of nickel as well as a small addition of molybdenum is scratch-resistant, making it impervious to germs. This has made it useful for hygienic purposes such as body jewelry. Laser marking contributes to this by withstanding the frequent cleaning and high sterilization temperatures needed for a germ-free surface.
With the constant hunger in society for new designs and adornments, jewelry is likely to continue pushing the boundaries of science. The ability of the laser marking industry to adapt and embrace new, alternative materials will define its relevance to the future of jewelry.
For more informatin concernting the possibilities available with a laser marking system, please contact us today. We invite you to download our free product catalog and to view our informative videos. The world of laser marking is exciting and new innovations are being introduced every day. We would like to share that world with you.
