Zirconium comfort wedder - size "U"

Black zirconium wedding ring available in size "U".

Zirconium is a fine choice for a wedding ring if you want something a little bit more modern and different.

Zirconium in its original form is naturally grey-white, but black zirconium is popular in the jewellery industry at the moment. The finish is achieved by putting zirconium through an oxidisation process: The zirconium is heated for several hours and it reacts with the air to create a hard, black, coating of zirconium oxide. This black finish is then polished to a high shine, or can be made into a matt finish. The polish finish will be the most black in colour - a satin/matt finish on black zirconium results in a dark gray/graphite colour. No matter what the finish, black zirconium is very resistant to corrosion and scratching.

Zirconium wedding rings are often thought of in the same category as titanium and tungsten carbide. All three are extremely strong, tough and relatively cheap compared to other metals. Compared with titanium, zirconium is more ductile and malleable, which means it is easier to work with and therefore there is more scope for a range of designs.

Zirconium rings are unlikely to tarnish as they are so tough. If your ring picks up any surface dirt, simply wash it in a mild soapy solution, rinse it in cold water and dry with a soft cloth. It's not infallible so it will pick up some scratches from every day wear and tear. These will be particularly evident at first but then dull to a more pleasing patina.