Titanium Anodization for Piercing - A Guide to Colors
Anodization is a method of coloring titanium without paint and without coating. The color arises from a thin layer of oxide on the metal surface, and its thickness - and therefore its shade - depends on the voltage of the current.
The most important thing in a nutshell
- The color is an optical effect, not a dye - there is no paint or varnish on the earring.
- Each of 26 colors corresponds to a specific voltage: from 12 May (light brown) to 105 V (green).
- Anodized implant titanium ASTM F136 suitable for fresh piercings.
- Anodizing does not change the size of the earring.
- In places of constant friction, the color may wear off over time.
What is titanium anodization?
Anodization is an electrochemical process. A titanium earring is immersed in a conductive solution and connected to direct current as anode - hence the name. A transparent layer then grows on the metal surface titanium oxide (TiO₂).
This layer is not applied to the earring, but is made of titanium itself. It is nanometers thick - about a thousand times thinner than a human hair - so it does not change the dimensions of the earring.
Anodization and paint or varnish. Paint is an additional substance that can flake off and seep into the healing canal. During anodization, there is no foreign substance on the earring - there is only titanium and its oxide.
How does tension create color?
The color does not come from the dye, but from the phenomenon light interference - the same one that can be seen on a soap bubble. The higher the voltage, the thicker the oxide layer and the different color the eye sees.
How anodization takes place
- Cleaning - the earring is degreased because any dirt gives an uneven color.
- Bath - the earring is placed in a solution that conducts electricity.
- Tension - current with a set voltage, from 12 to 105 V, builds an oxide layer.
- Color - after a few seconds the layer reaches the thickness giving the selected shade.
The same color may look slightly different depending on the light and viewing angle. This is a normal feature of anodization, not a defect.
A palette of 26 anodization colors
The number and voltage for each color correspond to the options available in the product variant. Colors on screen are indicative.
Anodization and PVD coating - what are the differences?
PVD is the second popular method of coloring jewelry. The effect may look similar, but the technology is different:
| Feature | Titanium anodization | PVD coating |
|---|---|---|
| Where does the color come from? | an oxide layer made of titanium itself | a thin layer of another material sprayed onto metal |
| Additional substance on the surface | missing | yes - separate shell |
| Material under color | titanium | titanium or steel - depending on the product |
| Colors available | browns, purples, blues, yellows, golds, pinks, greens | also black, gold and rose gold |
| Abrasion resistance | the color may rub off in places of friction | harder coating, more resistant to abrasion |
| For a fresh piercing | yes, when the base is implantable titanium | depends on the material under the coating |
| Color change later | yes, for a shade with higher voltage | no |
For a fresh piercing the safest is a colored earring made of anodized implant titanium. When using a PVD coating, check the product description to see what the earring itself is made of - the surgical steel under the coating still contains nickel.
Why ASTM F136 titanium?
ASTM F136 this is the standard for Ti-6Al-4V ELI implant titanium, also called G23 titanium. The same alloy is used in medical implants.
- No nickel in the alloy composition - a good choice for nickel allergies.
- Corrosion resistant - does not react with sweat, water or body fluid from the healing piercing.
- Light - with the same size, it weighs almost half as much as steel.
Material density - with the same size, a titanium earring is about 45% lighter.
You can choose your earring size in our website size guide.
How to care for anodized jewelry?
Do this
- Wash the earring with warm water and mild soap and dry thoroughly.
- Store it separately, away from hard stones and other metals.
- Apply perfume, hairspray and creams before putting on jewelry.
- Wash the fresh piercing with physiological saline - it does not harm the color.
Avoid
- Polishes, polishes and rough cloths will erase the color.
- Silver and gold cleaning products.
- Long contact with bleach and heavily chlorinated water.
- Rubbing against teeth near earrings in the mouth - that's where the color wears off the quickest.
Questions and answers
Will the color of anodized titanium fade over time?
The oxide layer is durable but very thin. In places of constant friction - such as the ball in the mouth touching the teeth - the color may gradually wear off. Contact with cosmetics and sebum may slightly change the shade over time. The titanium underneath remains just as safe.
Is anodizing safe for a fresh piercing?
Yes, if the earring is made of ASTM F136 implant titanium. Anodizing does not add paint or coating - it only changes the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the titanium surface.
Why does anodized titanium sparkle in the light?
It's light interference. Some of the light is reflected from the oxide surface and some from the metal beneath it. Both reflections overlap and enhance a specific color. Therefore, the shade changes slightly depending on the viewing angle and lighting.
Can I choose the color for my earring?
Yes. You choose the color in the product variant - 26 shades are available. The finished earring may differ slightly from the sample on the screen, because the shade depends on the lighting and monitor settings.
How does anodization differ from PVD coating?
Anodizing changes the thickness of the oxide on the titanium itself, without adding any material. PVD is a separate, sputtered layer of another material. The PVD coating is harder and produces colors not available in anodization, e.g. black, but safety depends on the material beneath it.
Does anodization change the size of the earring?
NO. The oxide layer is nanometers thick, so the thickness and length of the earring remain the same as in the variant name.
Why is there no black or red anodized titanium?
Anodization colors result from interference on the thin oxide layer, which produces only specific shades. Black, white or pure red cannot be obtained this way - such colors are created using other methods, e.g. PVD.
Can I change the anodization color?
Yes, but only on the shade obtained at higher voltage. Returning the color from a lower voltage requires removing the oxide layer, e.g. by polishing.
The colors on the screen are for illustration purposes only and may differ slightly from the finished earring. Last updated: September 2026.
