When you think of wedding bands, you probably think of gold or platinum. However, an increasingly popular market material is neither of these and is far more affordable than both. If you’re looking for something bold and one-of-a-kind, tungsten carbide may be the answer.
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What Exactly Is Tungsten Carbide?
Tungsten carbide is a hard and dense metal with a high melting point that is formed by combining or alloying carbon with tungsten. Tungsten carbide is a deep gray color when untreated, but it can be polished, sandblasted, or carved to achieve a variety of finishing aesthetics.
The best tungsten carbide rings contain at least 80% tungsten. This combination results in rings that are strong, hypoallergenic, tarnish-resistant, and have a lifetime polish.
Pros and Cons of Tungsten Carbide Rings
Tungsten carbide rings have many advantages. These inexpensive wedding bands (guidance) are much less expensive than gold or platinum, and they are hypoallergenic, scratch and tarnish resistant. As a result, you will not develop ring rash. Tungsten carbide is a hard, long-lasting material that can be polished indefinitely.
Of course, there are some disadvantages to purchasing a tungsten carbide ring. For starters, there’s a chance your supplier is selling a ring with a purity level less than 80%. Second, due to its natural hardness properties, the ring is susceptible to cracking if dropped on a hard surface like cement or marble.
Tungsten cannot be resized because it is not malleable like gold. It’s also worth noting that tungsten carbide rings are typically heavy—though Rector claims they’re comparable to platinum in weight—which can be a plus or a minus depending on your preferences.
What to Look for in a Tungsten Carbide Ring
As previously stated, it is critical to purchase a tungsten carbide ring that is at least 80% tungsten.
- How do I know if the ring is of high quality?At this purity, it is 10 times harder than 18k gold and has a substantial and luxurious weight, similar to platinum rings. Sometimes sellers will substitute an expensive filler for tungsten, lowering the ring’s value and integrity.
- Can you resize tungsten carbide rings?Tungsten carbide rings cannot be resized due to their extreme hardness. Consider purchasing both your regular size and a half size larger and keeping the one that fits best. Because of how much of your finger the ring will cover, you may need a slightly larger size than what a ring sizer will tell you if you buy a ring 6mm or wider.
Tungsten Carbide Ring Maintenance
Tungsten carbide rings require little to no maintenance because they are so durable. The most important thing to remember when caring for Tungsten rings is to avoid dropping them on hard surfaces like marble or cement, as they can crack and be difficult to repair.
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