Buying a wedding band is more complicated than most people realize, and most couples find this out when it’s too late. One of the most significant issues when buying a wedding ring is choosing the metal.
Though there are many options for wedding ring metals, Tungsten is one of the options. Tungsten is a metal with a rating of 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness. For making rings, Tungsten is often combined with Carbide to make Tungsten Carbide.
A quality ring will have at least eighty percent Tungsten, but the Carbide significantly strengthens it. Tungsten, like all metals, has pros and cons, which include:
Pros
Durable and Strong
Tungsten is an excellent option for wedding bands, especially for men, because it is strong and durable. As stated above, Tungsten is one of the hardest metals on earth.
Therefore, Tungsten wedding bands do not bend easily even when exposed to extreme pressure, for example, when they fall down the sink and into the garbage disposal. The rings are also tough to scratch, which further increases their durability. The Tungsten ring will maintain its integrity and shine for a long time after you start wearing it.
Unique Aesthetics
Gold, silver, and platinum are metals with signature appearances, and so is Tungsten. The metal has a unique appearance that you will not confuse with other metals.
Tungsten is available in gray, white, and black, which are colors often appreciated by men who want something different from the usual colors of wedding and engagement rings. Tungsten wedding rings look masculine but sleek, making them stand out from other rings.
Affordable
Tungsten is a precious metal but is much cheaper than other precious metals of its caliber. A Tungsten ring will cost five times less than gold and half as much as a silver ring.
It makes it an excellent option for those who don’t want to spend a fortune on a wedding or anniversary ring. Moreover, if the ring gets lost, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to replace it or get insurance.
Hypoallergenic
Some people are allergic to various materials such as gold, silver, and wood. However, no one is allergic to Tungsten which makes it hypoallergenic. The fact that it won’t trigger any allergic reaction is a huge benefit.
Cons
Easy To Break
Precious metals are ironic because the harder the metal, the more brittle and the easier it is to break it. Tungsten is one of the hardest metals on Earth, making it one of the easiest to break.
If it is smashed against a hard surface or encounters a strong force, it will crack or completely break. Such an accident may make the ring completely unwearable and may require replacement.
Metals like gold are better in this regard because they are malleable and will hence bend instead of break.
Inability to Resize
Another consequence of Tungsten’s hardness is that you cannot resize it. People change over time, which sometimes requires resizing a wedding band. Unfortunately, if you have a Tungsten ring, you cannot get it resized. If you try to adjust the size of a Tungsten ring, it will simply break. Therefore, when buying a Tungsten ring, you merely have to get the perfect fit or be out of luck.
It Is Heavy
When most people buy wedding bands, they barely want to know that it is there. If you are one of them, you should choose another material.
Tungsten rings are heavy because Tungsten is one of the densest metals in existence. However, if you prefer heavy jewelry, you will like Tungsten wedding rings.
Like any other metal used to make wedding bands, Tungsten has advantages and disadvantages.
The above are only some of them. If you consider buying a Tungsten wedding ring, ensure you know as much about the rings as possible. The above pros and cons should help you make an informed decision.
Tags: wedding bands, weddings
