The Titans of Greek mythology were fearsome deities that preceded the better-known Olympians, and it was to Atlas, Hyperion, et al that German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth paid tribute when naming a new metal discovered in England in 1791: titanium. Despite its industrial roots and distinct lack of hallmark, titanium has been romancing its way onto the most discerning of benches. The featherweight super-strength that has endeared it to the automotive industry has also delighted luxury maisons like De Grisogono and Glenn Spiro, which must make earrings large enough to stand out on the red carpet without stretching A-list lobes.
Titanium’s other trump card is its ability to transform under heat into a neon spectrum of greens, pinks, purples, yellows and browns — though vibrant blue is a clear favorite. A popular use for this chromatic feature is tonal matching that melds metal with gems, creating an indiscernible wash of color.
A newer trend, however, is to celebrate the raw metallic color of titanium. The muted grey palette is a perfect backdrop for diamonds, as designers like Vmar and Ileana Makri have discovered. Alison Evans takes it further, knitting the metal together in links to create a modern chainmail look. Perhaps titanium’s industrial roots are not to be sniffed at after all.
Image: Debut ArtArticle from the Rapaport Magazine - January 2020. To subscribe click here.