iridium

Iridium Now Available In Rings

Filed under: Jewelry

Gold, silver, platinum and even other metals like palladium and titanium have made their way into rings. Now, for the first time, Los Angeles based rare metals manufacturer, American Elements is selling jewelry made from pure iridium metal. The challenge for working with iridium is that it has an extremely high melting temperature (4,435° F), more than 2,000 degrees above gold and 500 degrees above platinum. It is also very hard and brittle. American Elements designs parts for the NASA space program so it has the technology to work with this metal. The deep gray metal has a high luster and is the lowest tarnishing element. It is also extremely corrosion resistant and will not react with any acid. American Elements reports that one of the first buyers was a Rothschild banker in London who chose one for his wedding band. The pure iridium 6mm ring shown above sells for $2,530.

This isn't iridium's first foray into the luxury goods market. Iridium recently has also made its way into watches and has been used for years with other metals to strengthen the nibs on fountain pens.

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Tags: iridium, jewelry, metal, rings, wedding bands, WeddingBands

deLaCour Iridium Saqra Triplex Watch

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

Offering luxury watches that can only be described as unique, deLaCour releases is newest model, the Iridium Sagra Triplex watch. Here is a watch with true armor plating - being the first watch to make use of iridium metal plates. Iridium is probably the most corrosion resistant metal around, repelling the effects of acid and other corrosive chemicals. The metal is placed within the platinum group of metals meaning that it is exceedingly rare, difficult to machine, and expensive. When cast, iridium has a yellowish hue that you can make out in the images, making it look like a dull gold. The Iridium Sagra Triplex has a large case made of mostly titanium with the iridium 'armor' plates screwed to the surface.

Inside is a large flying tourbillon-based manually wound movement that displays three time zones. The main dial displays time in a standard 12 hour format, while two subsidiary dials show two other time zones, each in 24 hour time. The watch also features a power reserve indicator that is likely located on the rear of the watch. The impressively sized timepiece will be offered in limited numbers with a rubber or alligator strap. The design desperately wants to be futuristic, especially with the phrase "Since Tomorrow" written on the dial. My feelings are that the design is a bit retro techie if anything, but the use of iridium in the case is certainly a progressive feature that deLaCour can boast about with Iridium Sagra Triplex timepiece.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: de la cour, delacour, iridium, iridium sagra triplex watch, IridiumSagraTriplexWatch, timepiece, watch