Cobalt has now become an unconventional jewelry option, but it is slowly making its way as one of the alternative metals used in jewelry, instead of platinum, gold, and silver. One of the reasons why it is gaining space in the world of jewelry is its appearance similar to white gold. So it is not surprising that mainly many men consider using this metal for their wedding bands.

However, despite the increase in popularity, cobalt is a metal that is still far from the precious metals that we know. That is to say, there is still little that people know about it. So below we will tell you what cobalt is and the pros and cons of using it so that you can decide whether or not you should buy cobalt jewelry.

Cobalt in jewelry
Image by Richkat from Pixabay 

What is cobalt?

Cobalt metal is a relatively rare metal since in its pure state it is not found freely in nature, but is extracted as a by-product of the extraction of other minerals such as iron, copper, nickel, and silver, among others.

Cobalt is a transition metal with atomic number 27 in the periodic table and its symbol is Co. Its name comes from the German “kobalt”, which means evil spirit or goblin, and it was given this name due to superstitions as medieval Germans believed that goblins mixed it with other metals to make them sick.

Despite this, cobalt was recognized as a basic element and became part of the periodic table in 1735, when it was identified as a metal in its own right, by the Swedish chemist and mineral scientist Georg Brandt. It is a transition metal that has properties similar to silver, platinum, and tungsten.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that cobalt in its pure form is not suitable for jewelry. So it is alloyed so that it can become stronger and also more malleable and safer, as it has been found to be rich in vitamin B12, which is essential for the health of animals and humans, but in high concentrations, it can have significant health consequences.

Cobalt in jewelry

We already know that cobalt jewelry is generally an alloy with other metals that can be tungsten, iron, or chromium. In fact, the other name for cobalt is cobalt chromium, which is due to the high chromium content in cobalt jewelry.

Although generally, cobalt jewelry is considered hypoallergenic, before buying, you should ask what other metals are present as some cobalt jewelry is often alloyed with nickel, an element known to be responsible for jewelry allergies for some people. So, if you have sensitive skin, you will not want to have it in your jewelry and especially in your wedding rings.

Despite its attractive silver color, not all cobalt jewelry has this color, so it is possible to buy black cobalt jewelry that is gaining popularity. The reason for this is that they have a unique and avant-garde look, which combines perfectly with the modern style that people are looking for, but, in addition, cobalt jewelry is so versatile that we can wear it both in formal looks and in some more casual ones.

On the other hand, the other types of cobalt that we can find in jewelry are plated. In fact, you can have it gold plated if that is what you want since it is cheaper, but you will only be able to enjoy gold for a while, which will depend on its use and care, but you will inevitably have to go to plate your jewelry again if you want to keep its golden appearance.

Pros of cobalt

This metal has many advantages that have made it popular. Among them we have:

It looks similar in appearance to white gold

Cobalt chromium is the only metal that closely resembles white gold. This is because it is a very reflective material and, therefore, can shine as brightly as white gold, which is certainly a feature that many people like their jewelry to have. So you can wear jewelry that looks like white gold, but for a fraction of the price.

Does not tarnish or corrode

The other advantage of cobalt is that it is a highly corrosion-resistant metal and does not tarnish easily. Therefore, cobalt jewelry maintains its original condition even under heavy wear and tear and can be worn for a long time. On the other hand, while it has the appearance of white gold, unlike this one, cobalt does not require regular plating, which means we can enjoy its shine and luster for longer.

It is affordable

If you are on a tight budget, you will undoubtedly want to opt for cobalt jewelry. Although cobalt is not as cheap as steel, it is generally less expensive than precious metals like gold or platinum, even if it has diamonds. To get an idea of the price, for example, if a white gold ring costs $750, its cobalt version would only cost around $170.

However, you should keep in mind that other aspects besides the metal can influence the total price of a cobalt ring, such as the other materials, the quality, and the brand.

It is extremely scratch resistant

One of the features men really like about this metal is its high scratch resistance, which means they will not have to worry about the condition of their ring if they lead an active lifestyle or have to use their hands a lot for work.

It is ideal for everyday use

Cobalt is harder than precious metals like gold, palladium, or platinum, making it perfect for everyday use. Even if the ring is put under intense pressure, you do not have to worry about bending or breaking. This is one less concern when it comes to wedding rings, which should be worn daily for a lifetime.

As a reference, we can say that, for example, a cobalt ring is four times harder than its platinum version, which is known as the hardest precious metal. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that, despite its hardness, in case of emergency cobalt rings can be cut safely.

It is neither too light nor too heavy

Some metals, such as titanium or carbon fiber, can be quite light, while others, such as tungsten, can feel very heavy, but cobalt is in the middle of the two extremes, as they have the same weight as white gold. That way, when you have a ring on, you can enjoy the neutral, comfortable feel.

It is hypoallergenic

For those who have a problem with other metals, cobalt-chromium alloys that do not contain nickel are hypoallergenic and their skin will not react with them. In fact, this alloy is so biocompatible that it is used in the manufacture of surgical instruments and knee and hip prostheses.

Cons of cobalt in jewelry

Like all materials in jewelry, cobalt also has some disadvantages that we must consider before buying:

It is difficult to resize

This is an inescapable issue when it comes to alternative metals in engagement rings as our fingers tend to change size over time, but in the case of cobalt rings, this can be a difficult task due to the hardness of cobalt, although not impossible.

However, many jewelers may not undertake the job because it requires a lot of effort, so you may have to replace the ring if you cannot find someone to do it. Although some couples do not mind this, for others it can be a traumatic decision if they are very emotionally attached to the ring.

The variety of finishes is limited

Although cobalt in jewelry is growing in popularity there is still a limit to the range of designs that jewelers can make, as it is not easy to fuse gemstones into very elaborate and intricate designs, making most of the designs especially for men and very few for women, which is why it is seen as a masculine metal. Although over time it is possible that this will change, unfortunately, for now, it is not the case.

It is difficult to engrave

Because of its durability, traditional engraving methods do not work with cobalt, so the engraving will be more difficult and the jeweler will have to resort to laser machines to do the job.

No investment value

Cobalt is not a precious metal and has no investment value, so if you are looking for pieces that increase in value over time, cobalt jewelry may not be a better option.

Cobalt is definitely the ideal option for those looking for something inexpensive and durable and that has the appearance of precious metal without being one. However, finding cobalt jewelry can be difficult as it is not a conventional metal.

ALFA