Smart rings are growing in popularity, partly because of the variety of functions they offer, which compete with smartwatches on many levels, and they can measure various physical and fitness statistics more accurately than smartwatches. But another reason for the popularity of smart rings is that they can be very stylish.
People wear rings for various reasons, but style is a significant factor. That’s why people want to choose a smart ring that fits their aesthetic. Oura rings are perfect for this with their stylish gold, silver, black, and other color options. But are they authentic? Are Oura rings made of real gold?
Key Takeaways
- Oura rings aren’t made of real gold.
- They are made of durable titanium.
- The gold color is a thin layer of gold added using a physical vapor deposition (VPD) process.
Are Oura Rings Made Of Real Gold?
Oura rings aren’t made of real gold. Though Oura doesn’t explicitly state why this is the case, it’s safe to assume that manufacturing the rings using real gold would make them more expensive (which is especially important since smart rings already cost quite a lot of money) and even more likely to be stolen.
What Are Oura Rings Made Of?
Oura rings are made of titanium. Titanium is a popular metal to use in ring manufacturing because it is highly durable, scratch-resistant, and strong. It also weighs less than other metals, such as gold, though that isn’t a very significant factor for most people.
How Are Gold Oura Rings Made?
All Oura rings are plated or coated. The Gold, Rose Gold, Silver, and Brushed Titanium models are all coated using PVD (physical vapor deposition). PVD is a process in which metals (in this case, gold) transition from a physical (condensed) phase into a vapor, after which it recondenses into a thin film covering the ring.
Is Oura’s PVD Process Good Enough?
Since PVD sounds a lot like gold plating, which tends to wear off quickly, this brings into question whether Oura’s rings are genuinely as durable as they are said to be. The good news is that PVD is far better than traditional gold plating. It creates a stronger bond and offers much better resistance against typical wear, meaning it will stay on the ring longer than standard plating.
The two factors of titanium manufacturing and PVD gold coating ensure that your Oura ring will retain its luster while you use it every day. It is scratch-resistant and very durable.
This does not mean it can’t be scratched, though. It is possible to damage the gold coating and even scratch through to the titanium underneath, but doing so takes considerable force. Oura provides specific guidelines about caring for your ring to ensure its longevity, which includes the following:
- Avoid wearing your Oura ring on your dominant hand. Dominant hands do most of the hard work and are more likely to scratch your ring.
- Don’t wear other rings adjacent to your Oura ring since they can also scratch the ring and damage its surface.
- When you know you will be doing something that involves a lot of friction, it’s best to remove your Oura ring to avoid scratching or damaging the gold finish.
Conclusion
Even though Oura rings aren’t made of real gold, they are made of titanium to make them strong, scratch-resistant, and light. Golden Oura rings are coated with a layer of gold, but unlike traditional gold plating, Oura’s PVD process adds durability to the ring’s finish.
In other words, even though your Oura ring isn’t real gold, it is still a well-designed and stylish ring that will go well with anything that fits gold jewelry. The finish looks close enough to real gold that nobody will know the difference, and the smart functionality still makes it well worth the money you’re spending.