Is titanium jewellery hypoallergenic?

Yes. We work in Grade 2 pure titanium — 99.2% pure, with no nickel, no copper and no alloying metals that commonly cause reactions. It is the same grade of titanium used in surgical implants, which is why it sits comfortably against skin that reacts to gold alloys, silver or costume jewellery. If you have never been able to wear earrings without irritation, titanium is usually the answer.

Why does your titanium have colour if it isn't plated?

The colour is the metal itself. Heating titanium grows a transparent oxide layer on its surface, and the thickness of that layer determines the colour you see — the same physics that makes oil on water show rainbows. Nothing is added, nothing is coated, nothing is dyed. Because the colour is grown into the surface rather than laid on top of it, it cannot chip or peel the way plating does.

Does titanium scratch?

It resists scratching better than gold — titanium is a harder metal, and a titanium ring worn every day will hold its surface far longer than the same ring in 18k. But no metal is scratch-proof. And because the colour lives in a very thin surface layer, a deep scratch can show through it. Normal wear will not do this; a hard knock against stone or steel can.

Can a titanium ring be resized?

No. Titanium cannot be cut and rejoined the way a gold ring can, so a piece that no longer fits is remade rather than altered. This is why we take sizing seriously before anything is made — and why, if you are between sizes or unsure, it is worth talking to us first.

How does titanium compare to gold or platinum for everyday wear?

Titanium is significantly lighter than both — an earring that would drag on the lobe in gold sits weightlessly in titanium, which is why it suits larger, more sculptural shapes. It is harder than gold, does not tarnish, and does not react with skin. What it does not have is gold's density and warmth, which is why several pieces combine the two: titanium for structure, 18k gold where weight and colour are wanted.

Is titanium valuable?

Titanium is not a precious metal in the way gold is, and it isn't priced like one. What makes it valuable here is what it allows, and what it demands. It is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust, so sourcing it puts far less pressure on the ground than gold, where a single ring's worth of metal can mean tonnes of ore and the chemicals used to separate it. And it is a difficult metal to work: it cannot be soldered the way gold is, it fights the tools, and the forming, finishing and colouring that give each piece its surface take far longer than the same work in gold. The value in a Gi by Giselle piece sits in the design, the making and the stones — not in the melt weight of the metal.

What does “made to order” mean?

Nothing sits in a drawer waiting. When you order, the piece is made for you in the Florence atelier and shipped within 45 days of the confirmed order. For pieces fitted to your own body, the timing depends on the design and is agreed with you directly.

Can I commission something custom?

Yes. Bespoke commissions are a large part of the work: an existing design adapted, inherited stones reset, or a piece designed from nothing. Write to g@giselleeffting.com and we will talk through what you have in mind.

How does the fitting process work?

Every made-to-order piece begins as a 3D-printed resin prototype — including a collection piece you want changed only slightly. The prototype is tested, adjusted and revised until the shape sits correctly on you, and only then is the piece produced in titanium. It is slower than making straight to metal, and it is the reason the pieces fit the way they do.

Do you ship worldwide?

Yes, by insured DHL Express, typically 2–5 days in transit. Shipping is €20 within Europe and €50 to the rest of the world. EU VAT is included in the prices shown; outside the EU, import duties are the customer's responsibility.

How do I find my ring size?

There is a size guide on the site. If you already own a ring that fits, we can work out the size from it. And for pieces fitted to the ear, head or hair, sizing comes out of the prototype process rather than a chart.

What if it doesn't fit, or I change my mind?

Fourteen days to return a piece from the collection, in its original unworn condition. Personalised, engraved and custom-made pieces are final sale — once you have approved a design made to your specifications, it is yours. If there is a genuine fault, our two-year quality guarantee covers it and we repair or remake the piece.

Do you offer tax-free shopping for visitors from outside the EU?

For visitors resident outside the EU, we can issue the VAT documentation you need to claim a refund on purchases over €1,000. Ask us at the time of your order.

Where are you based, and can I visit?

The atelier is at Via Pisana 152, 50143 Florence. It is a working studio rather than a shop, so visits are by appointment — write or message ahead and we will find a time.

Who makes the pieces?

Giselle Effting, in Florence. She founded Gi by Giselle in 2019, trained as a Graduate Gemologist with the GIA and studied contemporary jewellery at Alchimia in Florence, after eleven years designing in Hong Kong. Pieces are made by hand in the atelier, not produced by a factory.

Where else can I see the pieces in person?

Gi by Giselle is carried by galleries in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy. The full list is on the contact page.

Titanium Jewellery: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. We work in Grade 2 pure titanium — 99.2% pure, with no nickel, no copper and no alloying metals that commonly cause reactions. It is the same grade of titanium used in surgical implants, which is why it sits comfortably against skin that reacts to gold alloys, silver or costume jewellery. If you have never been able to wear earrings without irritation, titanium is usually the answer.
The colour is the metal itself. Heating titanium grows a transparent oxide layer on its surface, and the thickness of that layer determines the colour you see — the same physics that makes oil on water show rainbows. Nothing is added, nothing is coated, nothing is dyed. Because the colour is grown into the surface rather than laid on top of it, it cannot chip or peel the way plating does.
It resists scratching better than gold — titanium is a harder metal, and a titanium ring worn every day will hold its surface far longer than the same ring in 18k. But no metal is scratch-proof. And because the colour lives in a very thin surface layer, a deep scratch can show through it. Normal wear will not do this; a hard knock against stone or steel can.
No. Titanium cannot be cut and rejoined the way a gold ring can, so a piece that no longer fits is remade rather than altered. This is why we take sizing seriously before anything is made — and why, if you are between sizes or unsure, it is worth talking to us first.
Titanium is significantly lighter than both — an earring that would drag on the lobe in gold sits weightlessly in titanium, which is why it suits larger, more sculptural shapes. It is harder than gold, does not tarnish, and does not react with skin. What it does not have is gold's density and warmth, which is why several pieces combine the two: titanium for structure, 18k gold where weight and colour are wanted.
Titanium is not a precious metal in the way gold is, and it isn't priced like one. What makes it valuable here is what it allows, and what it demands. It is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust, so sourcing it puts far less pressure on the ground than gold, where a single ring's worth of metal can mean tonnes of ore and the chemicals used to separate it. And it is a difficult metal to work: it cannot be soldered the way gold is, it fights the tools, and the forming, finishing and colouring that give each piece its surface take far longer than the same work in gold. The value in a Gi by Giselle piece sits in the design, the making and the stones — not in the melt weight of the metal.
Nothing sits in a drawer waiting. When you order, the piece is made for you in the Florence atelier and shipped within 45 days of the confirmed order. For pieces fitted to your own body, the timing depends on the design and is agreed with you directly.
Yes. Bespoke commissions are a large part of the work: an existing design adapted, inherited stones reset, or a piece designed from nothing. Write to g@giselleeffting.com and we will talk through what you have in mind.
Every made-to-order piece begins as a 3D-printed resin prototype — including a collection piece you want changed only slightly. The prototype is tested, adjusted and revised until the shape sits correctly on you, and only then is the piece produced in titanium. It is slower than making straight to metal, and it is the reason the pieces fit the way they do.
Yes, by insured DHL Express, typically 2–5 days in transit. Shipping is €20 within Europe and €50 to the rest of the world. EU VAT is included in the prices shown; outside the EU, import duties are the customer's responsibility.
There is a size guide on the site. If you already own a ring that fits, we can work out the size from it. And for pieces fitted to the ear, head or hair, sizing comes out of the prototype process rather than a chart.
Fourteen days to return a piece from the collection, in its original unworn condition. Personalised, engraved and custom-made pieces are final sale — once you have approved a design made to your specifications, it is yours. If there is a genuine fault, our two-year quality guarantee covers it and we repair or remake the piece.
For visitors resident outside the EU, we can issue the VAT documentation you need to claim a refund on purchases over €1,000. Ask us at the time of your order.
The atelier is at Via Pisana 152, 50143 Florence. It is a working studio rather than a shop, so visits are by appointment — write or message ahead and we will find a time.
Giselle Effting, in Florence. She founded Gi by Giselle in 2019, trained as a Graduate Gemologist with the GIA and studied contemporary jewellery at Alchimia in Florence, after eleven years designing in Hong Kong. Pieces are made by hand in the atelier, not produced by a factory.
Gi by Giselle is carried by galleries in Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy. The full list is on the contact page.