Titanium Steel Grades GR2–GR6 Explained | LOTTEDS Jewelry
LOTTEDS MATERIAL SYSTEM
Jewelry-Grade Titanium Steel,
Graded the Way It Should Be
Titanium steel is the same material family trusted for surgical instruments, medical implants and aerospace engineering — where safety is not even a question. What we did is go one step further: we grade it. Every LOTTEDS piece is made from one of five jewelry-tuned grades — GR2 · GR3 · GR4 · GR5 · GR6 — matched to the design and the way you wear it.
The Five Grades, In Plain Words
HIGHER GRADE = TOUGHER, MORE CORROSION-RESISTANT, EASIER TO LIVE WITH
The highest-purity grade. Slightly softer feel, extremely skin-friendly — our entry pieces keep the metal honest, without compromise.
A better alloy match than GR2: tougher and more shape-stable, tuned for pieces you wear every day.
Higher toughness again — chosen for bolder cuffs and bangles that take knocks and keep their form.
The celebrated Ti-6Al-4V alloy — the best strength-to-weight ratio in the family. Maximum toughness for our hero pieces.
Our highest grade: extreme corrosion resistance, the least oxidation, the easiest to wear — reserved for custom-level pieces.
Which Grade Is My Piece?
| Grade | What it means |
|---|---|
| GR2 | Soft, skin-friendly, light for everyday wear — our gentlest grade. |
| GR3 | Balanced pick — the sweet spot of everyday wear and substance. |
| GR4 | High-toughness grade — holds its shape, made for bracelets and rings. |
| GR5 | Ultimate feel — aerospace-grade strength, featherlight. |
| GR6 | Peak substance — oxidation- and tarnish-resistant, high toughness, skin-close comfort. |
Colour Is a Finish, Not a Metal
Yellow, rose or white — the colour you see is thick PVD gold plating, not the core metal. Our standard plating is 0.3–0.5 micron (the higher the number, the thicker and longer-wearing the finish), and on custom orders you can choose 14K or 18K gold plating.
That's why a rose-gold GR3 ring and a yellow-gold GR5 cuff are the same metal family at different grades — the grade describes the core; the colour describes the finish.
Our Watches: Precision Stainless Steel
Every LOTTEDS timepiece is cased in precision stainless steel — marine-grade, salt-water safe and sweat-proof, running on a reliable quartz movement. Same philosophy as our titanium: pick the alloy for the job, then engineer it properly.
Titanium Steel, Answered
What is titanium steel?
A family of titanium-rich alloys prized for strength, light weight and corrosion resistance — the same family specified for surgical instruments, medical implants and aerospace parts. LOTTEDS grades it into five jewelry-tuned levels, GR2 through GR6.
What do GR2, GR3, GR4, GR5 and GR6 mean — and which one is mine?
It is our five-step grading of jewelry titanium steel. The number only goes one way: the higher the grade, the tougher, the more corrosion-resistant, and the longer it keeps its finish — which is why higher grades sit on higher-priced pieces. Every piece is labelled with exactly one grade on its product page, in the highlights and in the description, so you always know what you are buying. GR2 is the purest and softest, chosen for light pieces worn close to the skin. GR3 is the balanced everyday alloy. GR4 adds toughness for bracelets, cuffs and rings that must hold their shape. GR5 is the aerospace-grade tier. GR6 is our top grade, with the least oxidation.
Will the gold colour fade or rub off?
The colour is a PVD gold finish, not paint or a dipped coating, so it is bonded into the surface rather than layered on top. We plate at 0.3–0.5 micron — the higher the micron figure, the longer the colour holds. With normal wear it keeps its tone for years; the two things that shorten any plated finish are abrasive contact (coins, keys in the same pocket) and harsh chemicals (perfume sprayed directly on the piece, chlorine, hairspray). Put jewellery on last and take it off first and it will stay bright far longer.
Does it oxidise, darken, or turn my skin green?
No. A green mark on the skin comes from copper reacting with sweat — our titanium steel is copper-free, and the grades are specified precisely for their resistance to oxidation. Higher grades (GR5 and GR6) are the most inert, which is why they are used where the metal has to survive salt water and constant contact. If a piece ever looks dull, a soft dry cloth brings the finish back; no polishing compound is needed.
Is it safe for sensitive skin?
This material family is specified for medical and aerospace use precisely because of its biocompatibility and inertness — it is copper-free and nickel-controlled. Every LOTTEDS piece is also finished with thick PVD plating, so skin never sits directly on reactive metal.
Can I shower, swim or work out in it?
Yes — titanium steel is waterproof and sweat-proof, and our pieces are built for daily wear including workouts and travel. Two sensible habits: rinse and dry the piece after contact with chlorine or salt water, and avoid wearing rings while lifting heavy weights, where the metal can scratch rather than corrode.
Why does 0.3–0.5 micron PVD matter?
PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) bonds gold into the surface at a molecular level instead of sitting on it like dip plating. We plate at 0.3–0.5 micron — the thicker the micron value, the longer the colour keeps. Selected pieces can also be plated in 14K or 18K gold. See Titanium and Titanium alloy on Wikipedia for the material science.
Titanium steel vs. stainless steel vs. silver — which should I choose?
Titanium steel (GR2 through GR6) gives you the best strength-to-weight and everyday durability. Precision stainless steel powers our watches. For custom pieces you can also choose solid 925 silver, 14K or 18K gold, or platinum on request.
How long does shipping take, and how do I track it?
Orders are packed and handed to the carrier quickly, and delivery time depends on where you are — the current processing window, rates and estimated delivery times for each destination are listed in full on our Shipping Policy. Every parcel ships with tracking, and the link is emailed to you as soon as it leaves us. If tracking has not updated for several days, message us and we will chase the carrier for you.
What about customs, duties and returns?
For EEA destinations, VAT, duties and import taxes are already included — the price you see is the final price. For destinations outside the EEA, any import duty or tax is set by your own customs authority and is payable by the recipient; parcels are declared accurately at the price you paid. See our Shipping Policy for the full regional breakdown. If a piece does not suit you, returns are accepted within the window set out in our Refund Policy — contact us first and we will send the return instructions and address.