Contemporary metal
Anodised zirconium
Colour made by voltage
Zirconium grows its own oxide layer under electrical current, and the thickness of that layer decides the colour. Nothing is painted, plated or dyed. The colour is the surface of the metal itself, produced by light interfering with a film a few hundred nanometres thick, which is why it shifts slightly as you turn your hand.
Right for
- Anyone who wants colour without dye or paint
- Hands that react to nickel
- A ring worn every day
Choose something else if
- You want a traditional plain metal
- You want resale value in the metal itself
Honestly
The colour is a surface finish, so it wears first where a ring rubs hardest, which is why many of our designs keep it in grooves and channels where it is protected. A dull look is usually residue, and warm soapy water lifts it. Never buff a coloured area as you would plain metal.
Before choosing an exposed colour or a recessed detail, read our anodised colour and wear guide for the process, cleaning and restoration evidence. It distinguishes titanium makers’ advice from research on zirconium. Our ring care guide covers the complete ring, including finishes, stones and inlays.
Resizing. Not in the usual way. The colour is a fine layer grown on the surface, and resizing the band would break through it. So the size is the part to get right, and the free ring size finder makes that a two minute job. More on which rings can be altered.
Measure with the free size finder and every ring is made to that size. If you are not sure yet, order with "I do not know yet" and we confirm the size with you before anything is made, and an unengraved ring can come back within 30 days.
In this material
15 rings
Anodised channel
A band of real colour, set between natural metal edges.
Anodised bevels
Colour on the edges instead of down the middle.
Faceted, anodised
Cut into facets, then coloured, so each plane catches differently.
Hammered, anodised
Struck by hand, then given colour.
Roman numerals, colour line
Your date in Roman numerals, repeated beside an anodised blue groove.
Offset colour groove
A natural zirconium band with an off-centre anodised blue groove.
Celtic, anodised
Celtic knotwork, cut into the band and then coloured.
Greek key, anodised
The Greek key meander, cut around the band and anodised.
Infinity, anodised
Looping infinity lines in colour around a bright band.
Wave, anodised
A single wave in colour, cut into a satin band.
Twin grooves, anodised
Two fine grooves of colour around a polished band.
Ovals, anodised
A row of coloured ovals around a bright band.
Segments, anodised
Wide segments of colour, divided by bars of bright metal.
Three grooves, anodised
Three fine lines of colour across a satin band.
Single groove, anodised
One fine groove of colour around a polished band.
Weighing it up
Compare it against something else
Read more
Guides about anodised zirconium
Before you choose anodised zirconium
Anodised zirconium questions
- Does anodised zirconium colour wear off?
- It can wear where a ring rubs hardest, because the colour is a fine oxide film on the surface of the metal. That is why many designs keep the colour in grooves and channels, where it is protected, and it never chips or peels the way paint or plating does, because there is no coating to lift.
- How should I clean an anodised ring?
- With warm soapy water and a soft cloth, then dry it well. Skin oils and soap residue are what usually make anodised colour look dull, and they wash away. Avoid abrasive cleaners and scrubbing, and never polish a coloured area as you would plain metal.
- Can anodised ring colour be restored?
- Often. Re-anodising can refresh worn colour, and some titanium makers offer it. For a zirconium ring it depends on the design and the shade, and we will tell you what is possible for yours.
- Can a anodised zirconium ring be resized?
- Not in the usual way. The colour is a fine layer grown on the surface, and resizing the band would break through it. So the size is the part to get right, and the free ring size finder makes that a two minute job.
- Is anodised zirconium hard wearing?
- The zirconium underneath is hard wearing; the colour is a surface finish, so it is the part to look after. Designs that keep the colour in grooves and channels protect it from everyday rubbing, and warm soapy water is all the cleaning it needs.
- Is anodised zirconium hallmarked?
- No, and it does not need to be. The Hallmarking Act applies to gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Anodised zirconium is not a precious metal, so no hallmark exists for it and none is required.
- How heavy is a anodised zirconium ring?
- 6.5 grams per cubic centimetre. Titanium is the lightest thing we make at 4.5 and platinum the heaviest at 21.4, so this sits at the light end of the range.
- Is anodised zirconium safe for sensitive skin?
- Yes. It contains no nickel, which is the metal that causes almost all jewellery reactions.