Tungsten wedding rings offer a sleek contemporary style at a reasonable price. However, the question that most people ask is if these wedding bands are the best to go with. If you are torn between tungsten and other metals, understanding the pros & cons, characteristics, styles and learning a few shopping tips could help you make the most informed decision.
Characteristics of Tungsten Carbide
Tungsten is a chemical element that is also referred to as wolfram. Some of its most attractive properties is its high melting point and the highest tensile strength. It is these properties that make it one of the most durable materials you can go for in a wedding ring.
All in all, it is important to understand that tungsten wedding rings are not made from pure tungsten but rather tungsten carbide. Pure tungsten is too hard to work with, hence the need to form an alloy which is created by combining equal amounts of tungsten and carbon atoms. This combination forms a fine powder that is mixed with a binder such as cobalt or nickel to create the compound that can be crafted into any shape.
Another characteristic of tungsten is its weight. It is quite heavy. It might not be ideal for everyone. Additionally, you should avoid the cobalt binders in tungsten wedding bands because they cause allergic reactions and react with skin oils to form permanent stains on the ring.
Black Tungsten Rings
The black tungsten rings are an option you can go for but you should do so with care. This is because this effect is achieved by adding a plate over the gray tungsten. This plate will eventually scratch even if it contains the tungsten carbide ingredients. For this reason, you should avoid the black tungsten rings if you are looking for something durable.
Brittleness
Tungsten wedding rings are very durable, more durable than platinum, silver, gold and palladium. The material is also highly resistant to scratching. However, it has brittle properties which means it can crack or break instead of bending when enough pressure is applied on it. All in all, tungsten rings that are made with quality grade materials will not break unless extreme force is applied.
Even so, the rings are not as brittle. That is why they are a perfect choice for men working with heavy tools and machinery. Most retailers offer lifetime warranties for their tungsten rings.
Pros
• Extremely scratch-resistant
• Available at reasonable prices
• Resistant to corrosion
• They don’t dull over time
Cons
• A tad too heavy
• They can’t be resized
• Limited in style selections
Best Styles
The most common styles of men’s tungsten rings include flat bands, comfort fit rings, rings with brushed layers and channel-set diamond rings. Women can go with the thinner contemporary bands, channel-set diamond rings and the tension-set tungsten engagement rings. Your choice of style will depend on your personal preferences.
When shopping for tungsten rings, stick with reputable retailers who offer lifetime warranties or guarantees on their rings. You should also remember to check that quality grade materials are used.
Author Bio
Isabella Rossellini has been a jewelry retailer for more than two decades. She knows her way around tungsten wedding bands and offers professional advice to help couples pick the best wedding rings. Visit her blog today and learn more about her.
