Metals & Alloys · common
Titanium
Titanium is a strong, lightweight gray-silver metal used in jewelry, watches, tools, aerospace parts, medical hardware, and performance equipment.
Also known as: Titanium alloy, Ti.
Titanium properties at a glance
| Type | Metals & Alloys |
|---|---|
| Chemical formula | Ti |
| Mohs hardness | 6 |
| Luster | metallic |
| Streak | Silver-gray |
| Cleavage | None |
| Fracture | Ductile to uneven |
| Specific gravity | 4.5 |
| Transparency | opaque |
| Common colors | Silver, Gray, Dark gray |
| Rarity | common |
Geology & background
Titanium is refined from titanium-bearing minerals such as rutile and ilmenite, then processed into metal or alloys.
Titanium became important in aerospace, medical, military, and high-performance uses during the twentieth century.
How to identify Titanium
- Look for a gray-silver metal that may appear slightly darker than stainless steel.
- Titanium is lightweight relative to many dense metals.
- Anodized titanium can show blue, purple, yellow, or rainbow colors.
- Common objects include rings, watches, medical parts, tools, and outdoor gear.
Full Titanium identification guide: checklist, home tests and look-alikes →
Titanium vs similar stones
Not sure it isn't something else? Side-by-side comparisons with the stones most often confused with Titanium.
Where Titanium is found
Titanium is manufactured, refined, recycled, or traded worldwide; verify grade, purity, and origin from markings, documentation, or provenance when available.
How much is Titanium worth?
| Entry-level specimen | $5 |
|---|---|
| Typical collector specimen | $40 |
| Premium specimen | $500+ |
Value depends mostly on the object, purity or alloy grade, weight, brand, condition, markings, and whether it is jewelry, hardware, a coin, a tool, or a raw material sample.
Common uses
- Jewelry
- Watches
- Medical hardware
- Aerospace parts
- Tools and outdoor gear
Interesting facts
- Titanium is strong for its weight and resists corrosion well.
- Titanium jewelry can look darker gray than silver or stainless steel.
- Some titanium surfaces are anodized into bright colors.
Care & safety
Titanium can scratch, dent, tarnish, corrode, or lose its surface finish depending on the alloy, coating, and use wear.
Check sharp edges. Manufactured metal objects can have sharp edges, burrs, broken points, or worn plating; handle damaged pieces carefully.
Titanium FAQ
What is Titanium?
Titanium is a strong, lightweight gray-silver metal used in jewelry, watches, tools, aerospace parts, medical hardware, and performance equipment.
How much is Titanium worth?
Entry-level Titanium specimens sell for around $5, a typical collector specimen for about $40, and premium pieces for $500 or more. Value depends mostly on the object, purity or alloy grade, weight, brand, condition, markings, and whether it is jewelry, hardware, a coin, a tool, or a raw material sample.
How hard is Titanium?
Titanium has a Mohs hardness of 6. It is about as hard as window glass: a knife barely marks it, while a steel file (Mohs 6.5) will.
What is Titanium used for?
Titanium is used for jewelry, watches, medical hardware, aerospace parts, and tools and outdoor gear.
