For years, traditional gold and silver rings seemed like the only choices on the market. But, in recent years, a new material has emerged onto the scene: tungsten. Tungsten carbide rings are becoming increasingly popular in the jewelry world, particularly among male wearers, and have many advantages.
However, before you dive in and purchase any tungsten bands of your own, it’s worth learning a little more about this metal. Tungsten wedding bands may have several big benefits, but there are also some downsides or cons of tungsten carbide to take into account. This guide will cover all you need to know about tungsten jewelry’s pros and cons.
Pros of Tungsten Rings | Cons of Tungsten Rings |
Durability and Strength: Tungsten rings are highly resistant to scratches and won’t bend easily. | Brittleness and Breakability: Despite their hardness, tungsten rings can be brittle and might crack or shatter if dropped or hit hard. |
Low Maintenance: They don’t require frequent polishing and are almost impervious to minor scratches. | Cannot Be Resized: Once a tungsten ring is made, its size is permanent and cannot be adjusted. |
Hypoallergenic: Tungsten rings won’t trigger allergic reactions, making them suitable for those with metal allergies. | Heaviness: Tungsten is a dense metal, which might feel heavy on the finger for some individuals. |
Unique and Modern Look: Tungsten rings have a sleek, masculine, and contemporary appearance. | Potential Damage to Fragile Materials: The hardness and weight of tungsten rings can scratch or crack materials like glass or porcelain. |
Affordability: Tungsten rings are generally more affordable than rings made from precious metals. | Some May Contain Non-Hypoallergenic Binders: Despite tungsten’s hypoallergenic properties, some rings might still contain allergenic metals like nickel. |
Maintains Luster: Tungsten’s shine won’t fade over the years. |
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A Brief History of Tungsten in Jewelry
It may seem like tungsten wedding bands have only just emerged into the mainstream. However, tungsten has been used in jewelry for several decades, going all the way back to the early 1960s. To be precise, it was in 1962 that the Swiss luxury watchmaker, Rado, first used tungsten carbide in one of their designs.
The history of the material itself goes back even further than that. Tungsten was first discovered at the end of the 18th century. It quickly proved useful for various purposes, thanks to its strength, high melting point, and scratch-resistant nature. Over the years, it’s been used for making weapons, surgical tools, and more, emerging as a popular choice for men’s rings more recently.
Advantages of Tungsten Rings
Over the last decade, tungsten wedding rings have become hugely popular. A lot of people enjoy the look and feel of this material, but tungsten men’s wedding bands have much more to offer than their aesthetics. They’re also hypoallergenic and highly resistant to scratches and tarnishing. Here are some of the big benefits of tungsten carbide rings explained.
They Are Durable and Hardy
One of the best things about tungsten is its strength, but how durable is tungsten exactly? Well, on the Mohs scale of hardness, tungsten achieves a rating of around nine. For context, diamond — the hardest substance on earth — has a rating of 10.
Tungsten is, therefore, immensely tough and extremely hard to scratch. It’s an ideal choice for wearers who have manual jobs or those who have struggled with rings getting scratched and tarnished in the past.
They Are Modern and Stylish to Boot
Another brilliant thing about tungsten wedding bands is their diversity. It’s possible to polish tungsten bands to a mirror-like shine or give them a classic matte finish to suit a wide range of tastes and preferences.
Plus, with its distinctive gunmetal gray color, tungsten has a unique and fresh visual appeal, especially when compared to other popular materials, like gold and silver.
They Are Hypoallergenic
Like silicone bands, tungsten also has the benefit of being hypoallergenic. This sets it apart from many alternative metals, which can provoke skin reactions and allergies in the wearer.
So, if you happen to have a metal allergy or sensitive skin, you won’t have to worry when it comes to a high-quality tungsten ring.
They Are Surprisingly Affordable
Tungsten wedding bands are also a surprisingly affordable choice. While traditional gold rings and platinum groom rings typically come with high price tags, it’s possible to find tungsten jewelry to suit almost any budget.
What’s more, since tungsten is so tough, long-lasting, and low-maintenance, it offers terrific long-term value for money.
Disadvantages of Tungsten Rings
Of course, just like any other metal or material, tungsten isn’t perfect. It has its flaws, and it’s important for prospective buyers to be aware of those flaws and take them into account before deciding on products like tungsten carbide wedding bands.
They Are Quite Brittle
Given that tungsten metal is so hard and durable, it’s easy to assume that these rings are almost indestructible. However, that’s not the case at all.
Despite being scratch-resistant and hard, tungsten is also quite a brittle metal. That means that it can crack or break if subjected to enough pressure. It’s still unlikely that a tungsten band will break, but there is a chance.
They Can’t Be Resized
If you want to buy a tungsten band, you need to make sure you check the size chart and get the finger size right. This is because tungsten bands, due to their innate hardness, are impossible to resize.
That can be an issue for people whose fingers may swell or change size over time. You may, for example, find that, after a few years, your ring suddenly feels much tighter or looser than it did if you’ve lost or gained weight.
They Are Not Traditional
It’s also worth noting that tungsten isn’t exactly as traditional as a classic gold wedding band. It doesn’t have the same historical connotations or prestige.
However, that won’t necessarily matter to everyone. Many people don’t mind particularly about history or tradition and enjoy tungsten for its fresh, modern vibes.
Who Is Tungsten Best Suited For?
With its distinctive blend of benefits and key characteristics, tungsten can be a great fit for a wide range of people. Those in labor-intensive jobs, for example, and those who do lots of work with their hands, will definitely appreciate the scratch-resistant nature of tungsten rings. People with metal allergies can also benefit from these rings, as well as those looking for something a little different from the norm.
How to Care for Tungsten
Since tungsten rings are so hard and tough, they don’t actually require all that much maintenance. The best way to look after them is to avoid any heavy impacts or drops, as they could crack if they suffer a big hit. In terms of polishing, you have to use diamond abrasive to polish tungsten jewelry due to its hardness.
Making an Informed Choice: Is Tungsten Right for You?
So, are tungsten wedding bands good for men, and is tungsten a good material for a ring? Well, that all depends on you.
Clearly, there are many advantages of tungsten rings and only a few notable drawbacks. It’s strong, low-maintenance, hypoallergenic, and tungsten ring durability is second to none. Plus, tungsten for rings won’t give you any hassle with scratching or tarnishing.
On the other hand, it’s surprisingly brittle and can’t be resized. It’s important to take both tungsten carbide rings pros and cons into account, as well as assess your own budget and lifestyle, to decide if tungsten is a good fit for you.
Ready to Rock Tungsten? Make Your Choice Today!
Ultimately, despite a couple of downsides, tungsten is definitely one of the best and most modern wedding band materials. It’s the ideal choice for men who want something hard and strong with a cool and stylish aesthetic to match their personality. If you’re in the market for tungsten rings, check out The Ridge collection today.
FAQs
Why should you not get a tungsten ring?
You might not want to get a tungsten ring if you prefer something more traditional, like silver or gold, or if you don’t like the look of tungsten.
What are the disadvantages of tungsten?
The main downsides of tungsten are its brittleness and the fact that it cannot be resized.
Are tungsten rings a good idea?
Tungsten rings have a lot of positive qualities and can appeal to many men who want something stylish, durable, and scratch-resistant. In terms of are tungsten rings good for you, it all depends on personal preferences and lifestyle.
Can I wear my tungsten ring in the shower?
Yes, tungsten carbide rings won’t rust, so you can feel free to wear them in the shower.
