If you are shopping for a wedding ring, you’ll want to choose one for its strength, durability, and style. Gold and platinum rings remain popular choices. But if you have a wedding coming up, don’t settle on the classic metals just yet. There is a new sheriff in town, and we’d like to tell you all about it before you make up your mind. We’re talking about tungsten.
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Tungsten wedding bands are becoming increasingly popular thanks to the strength, durability, affordability, and uniqueness of tungsten. What’s more, this metal can be paired with other precious metals to yield your preferred style. Pairing tungsten with let’s say, diamond or gold, can create a beautiful effect that is not only long lasting but individual too. So, if you want to own a ring that reflects your personality, this could be a good way to go.
What is Tungsten?
Tungsten is a rare metal and one of the toughest elements on earth. On its own, tungsten is very soft, but when combined with other elements to form compounds, it becomes extremely hard. In fact, the word Tungsten itself comes from the Swedish term ‘tung sten’ meaning ‘heavy stone’. One such hard compound is tungsten carbide. This compound is commonly used to make drill bits that can only be cut using diamond. Thanks to its strength and durability, another popular application of tungsten carbide is in the making of wedding bands and other tungsten rings. More than 80% of the world’s supply of tungsten is found in China. But other countries supply it too, including California, Russia, the UK and South Korea.
Fun Fact. Tungsten can easily be disguised as gold. This is because it has the same density (within 0.3%) and so, if covered in a gold coating and weighed, it would mimic gold quite easily.
Popular Tungsten Rings from the MADANI Rings Collections
Nu Men's Brush Tungsten Off Center Koa Wood Wedding Ring
Nu Men's Dome Black Tungsten Carved Line Wedding Ring
Monochrome Men's Outer Trio Black Diamonds Wedding Ring
Monochrome Men's Black White Diamond Wide Wedding Ring
Most Wanted Men's Beveled Diamond Cut Wedding Band
Pros and Cons of Tungsten Carbide Rings
Scratch Resistance
Tungsten is one of the two most scratch resistant metals currently known to man. It is said that only diamond can scratch your tungsten wedding band but it is possible to scratch it with something as hard like another Tungsten Carbide object or another material close to the same hardness. If your job requires you to use your hands a lot, you can comfortably do so without the need to keep removing your wedding ring if you are worried about scratching it. Down the road years later when you will be celebrating your 10th or 20th wedding anniversary, your tungsten wedding band has a very high chance of being scratch free.
Different Color and Style Choices
Tungsten has a natural gunmetal grey color and blends perfectly with most men’s clothing. If you prefer something a little different, tungsten gives you that choice. It can be plated black or white and is often considered a more macho men’s ring when compared to gold. By inlaying your tungsten ring with precious metal, your style choices can also include a tungsten diamond ring or a tungsten gold wedding band. If you are erring on the side of a traditional metal wedding ring with a touch of natural wood, you can pair tungsten and wood for the edge of metal and the warmer elements of natural wood. Basically, tungsten is versatile and can be matched with an array of materials to give you the exact look you want.
Durability
On the Mohs scale which rates metals according to hardness, tungsten carbide measures between 8 and 9. Diamond, at a score of 10, is the hardest metal known to man. The sheer strength of the metal means that your tungsten ring won’t bend out of shape. Tungsten also has a very high density, with its density measuring 19 times higher than water. Therefore, tungsten can hold a lot of weight, and is less likely to get damaged than other metals. However, this doesn’t mean it is indestructible. Enough pressure and tungsten can break, so keep this in mind.
Affordability
Tungsten is a perfect alternative when you are shopping on a budget. You will still get the nice heavy weight of high-quality metal without denting your wedding budget. Why is it so cheap, you ask? Tungsten is still relatively new in the jewelry market and is not as liquid as gold. Also, tungsten is hypoallergenic; your finger is safe and will not react unfavorably with the metal. Most budget rings will leave you prone to an allergic reaction due to their copper plating.
Low Thermal Expansion
High temperatures won’t cause any damage to your tungsten wedding ring. In fact, tungsten can be useful as a material in the most extreme hot environment including jet engines and cutting tools. Therefore, if you work in a warm environment such as a factory, are going to a hot destination for your honeymoon or work with hot tools, you don’t need to worry about your wedding ring losing shape or getting damaged.
Fun Fact. Tungsten has a biological function. It has a low toxicity and certain bacteria use tungsten as part of an enzyme reaction to reduce carboxylic acids to aldehydes. In animals, tungsten can be slightly more toxic. Tungsten is also used in radiography, oncology treatment systems and even forms part of syringes!
Brittleness
Tungsten is brittle and can break under pressure. To get around this, quality tungsten wedding bands are made of about 85% tungsten and 15% nickel. This is the optimal combination. Anything higher than 85% tungsten would be more brittle, while anything lower will be too soft and not appropriate for making tungsten rings and other jewelry.
Density
Tungsten has a nice weight to it due to its density. If you prefer something that weighs down your finger, then count this like a pro. A tungsten diamond ring might be just the right choice if this is the case. However, if your personal preference is on the lightweight side, a tungsten ring might not be the best choice due to its heavy weight.
Resizing
Tungsten is extremely hard. This quality, however, means that it’s impossible to resize your tungsten gold wedding band should the need arise. Unfortunately, resizing needs may also arise when the size of your ring finger changes. When that happens, you may need a replacement. Fortunately, MADANI Rings stands behind their products and always has your back with sizing and any repairs. If your fingers are prone to swelling, or your weight fluctuates, this may not be the best metal to use for your wedding band.
Electricity Conductor
Tungsten is regularly used in electronics because of its fantastic ability to conduct electricity. However, if you work as an electrician or with electronic equipment every day, you may want to choose a different metal for safety reasons. Alternatively, you can get into the habit of leaving your ring at home when you go to work - something that may not be that appealing to you or your spouse.
We Can Help
Shopping for the perfect wedding band is not as easy as it sounds. You want something that will still remind you, decades later, why you fell in love with your partner. Of course, the same piece will still need to be a reflection of your style and personality. That is why we have made it our goal to provide you with a world of options.
Tungsten is one of the many metals we can offer within our wide wedding band range. Contact MADANI Rings today to sample our wide range of tungsten carbide rings.
