Tungsten color.

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I heard through the grapevine that making your tungsten peice turn blue is a sign of a skilled welder, and making it turn gold/yellowish color is even better. I looked up answers for a while but couldn't find anything. Is there any truth to this? What exactly causes it to change these colors? I've been TIG welding a lot lately and it's just always been on my mind because I heard it mentioned somewhere a while ago.
Reply:If your tungsten changes color, you are loosing shielding or not allowing post flow ( which is still loosing shielding gas). You may be confusing tungsten with titantium, but the best GTAW welds stay the same color as prior to welding.
Reply:If hot metal (of pretty much any kind) turns colors, then it has oxidized.Sometimes that oxidation is no problem and sometimes it can be a BIG problem.Usually you -don't- want the tungsten electrode or a titanium workpiece to change colors.  At all.YMMV.  The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:how does the oxidation affect the tungsten's subsequent performance?is it usable ?
Reply:As already mentioned, if the tungsten is changing color, that is a sign that something is wrong; usually a lack of shielding gas."SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.