The Truth Behind Tungsten Carbide Wedding Rings
If you’ve been looking for an alternative metal wedding ring because you wanted something that is ultimately strong, maintenance-free, fairly inexpensive, and you’ve been considering one made from tungsten carbide, you should read this article first! There are some very important things to consider before making your purchase. Like the love and commitment between you and your spouse, your wedding ring should last a lifetime. For this reason, tungsten carbide may not be the best choice for your wedding jewelry.
The claims that tungsten carbide manufacturers make about their jewelry are not entirely true and have been disproven by various strength tests. When the metal was first released onto the jewelry scene, dealers claimed it was indestructible and would maintain a permanent polish. They say that tungsten carbide is the most wear resistant wedding band on Earth. Sure, tungsten carbine rings can stay very shiny throughout their lives, but what good is a highly polished wedding band that has a large chip or crack?
It is not the most wear resistant in the world:
Wedding rings are worn daily and suffer a lot of wear and tear. While it is almost impossible to scratch a tungsten carbide wedding ring, it can actually chip or break quite easily. If your tungsten carbide wedding ring is dropped to a hard floor, such as one made of stone, it will most likely break into pieces. This is because tungsten carbide is not a metal alloy, but the mixture of tungsten and carbide powders. This creates microscopic voids within the wedding ring and weakens the product.
Impossible to repair:
Another drawback is that tungsten carbide rings cannot be resized or repaired. You will be wearing your wedding ring for a long time and the size of your finger will most likely change. While most tungsten carbide wedding ring retailers promise to replace your ring if any damage occurs, or if your finger shrinks or grows and you need an alternate size, you will actually receive a new ring, and not the part. meaningful jewelry that your spouse placed on your finger on your wedding day.
This is where the softer precious metals would be a better option. Sure, they can be easily scratched or decorated, but they actually last longer. While wedding rings made from precious metals like gold, silver, and platinum need regular polishing, they can be easily repaired and resized, so they don’t need to be completely replaced.
Other metals to consider:
Stainless steel:
Stainless steel wedding bands are very strong and more scratch resistant than gold, silver or platinum. They are one of the least expensive options available on the market, and because the use of metal for wedding rings is a contemporary trend, there are many fashionable styles of stainless steel rings available.
Titanium:
Titanium is one of the strongest metals available for wedding rings, it is 100% hypoallergenic, lightweight, and engravable. Titanium wedding rings can also be easily adjusted to fit or repaired if damaged, and like stainless steel, they are less expensive and come in a wide variety of design options.
Argentium:
Silversmith Peter Johns created this revolutionary metal in the 1990s. This contemporary silver alloy is a combination of sterling silver, copper, and germanium; germanium increases the metal’s strength and resistance to tarnishing. Argentium silver is twice as hard as traditional silver, requires much less labor to produce, and maintains a durable finish. Argentium silver is used in everything from wedding rings to artwork and even musical instruments.
Before considering tungsten carbide wedding rings, consider one of these other types of metals. You will be able to safely wear your ring made from any of these alternative metals on a daily basis and you won’t have to worry about your wedding ring cracking or chipping.
