Frame Job: What Material is Best for You?
Admit it: you try to be excited about quality lenses, but you're really interested in getting cool sunglasses frames. There are a million designs, made of all kinds of materials. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. Nylon, or plastic, is perhaps the most common frame material, made famous in now-classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Early nylon was brittle; newer blends are still firm but more flexible. Nylon is very moldable, and thus especially good for difficult curves and tricky styles like wraparounds. Resistant to light and heat, nylon is great for performance sunglasses too. They still break easier than metal, and although they don't ignite easily, they burn very nicely. Zylonite is a fun new alternative, lightweight and affordable. It's printable in a plethora of colors, and can be laminated into strong, layered patterns. Among metal sunglasses, titanium is hot. Attractively high-tech-looking in natural silver-gray, titanium is light, strong, and won't rust. Science turns to titanium for everything from open-heart surgery to the space race. It holds a tint well, adding a hint of color. Newer yet is beryllium, which is more affordable and very flexible, and thus is adjustable. It is the best alternative for people with allergies or those with acidic skin, which may tarnish other metals. |  |
If you're the sensitive type, hypoallergenic metals, including stainless steel and tycral, are good choices. Tell your frame salesman if you have sensitive skin before you start sampling frames, because once a reaction hits you, you won't know which frame caused it. Nickel is usually a culprit, and many frames contain it because it adds strength. Head for titanium, stainless steel, silver, or gold. (Allergies aren't cheap.) And don't overlook the nose pads. Some rubbers and silicones can cause allergies too.
High-end sunglass frames can be found in aluminum sunglasses, which have a unique look and is extremely lightweight. Although the metal is abundant, it is tricky to work with, and because it is soft, it benefits from the addition of silicon and iron.
If you want truly unique frames and you have bottomless finances, consider silver or gold. Both are soft metals, so stick with alloys, or having them plated over stronger metals. Just be careful to keep your diamonds away from your lenses - they'll scratch.