Both titanium and tungsten are considered "model metals" in the jewelry industry because they were not available to the consumer market as commodities until ten years ago. They have gained tremendous popularity since the introduction and become an integral part of the jewelry material spectrum. Due to the rather little exposure, many questions arise concerning titanium and tungsten when it comes to choosing jewelry. The followings are some points of consideration if you are seriously thinking about buying a titanium or tungsten wedding ring.
For creating stunning rings, tungsten is forged into incredibly strong and durable alloys like carbon and later combined with nickel. Even though pure tungsten is prone to scratches and other similar damages to other metals, tungsten carbide is four times harder than titanium and nearly ten times harder than eighteen carat gold. Thus tungsten can be considered as the hardest metal used for commercial jewelry. For couples who are involved with physical activities that may nick or damage soft metals, tungsten wedding bands would be the safest choice. The polish of the ring is often considered permanent and will not wear off due to the metal's strength.
The tungsten rings are incredibly durable; however it is wise to remove the ring while engaging in heavy activities. Proper care should be given to the ring and it should be cleaned with mild cleansers and soft cloths. If possible, store the ring separately from other jewelry, particularly diamonds which can scratch the metals. Special care should be given to inset diamonds present in the tungsten engagement rings.
3. Hypoallergenic This is the very same concern as buying silver jewelry to some people: Will I be allergic to the jewelry? In general, titanium jewelry is virtually safe to wear for everybody. Yet, some tungsten carbide jewelry contains the element cobalt that some people are allergic to. Interesting, another form of tungsten alloy using nickel as a binder metal is hypoallergenic, even to people who are allergic to nickel.
Cobalt-binder is very common because it is more readily available and substantially cheaper than nickel-binder. While in manufacturing processes this may be a fine substitute, in jewelry substituting cobalt for nickel can produce adverse effects, our rings are hypo-allergenic. Cobalt can have adverse effects on skin and is subject to oxidation similar to silver but cannot be removed by polishing or grinding. Nickel-binder carbide is completely safe and chemically inert and will never oxidize. Many other companies will claim to have 'Tungsten Carbide' rings that sell very cheap, but will not disclose their elements. Others will only use Tungsten (see tungsten vs. titanium below).
For creating stunning rings, tungsten is forged into incredibly strong and durable alloys like carbon and later combined with nickel. Even though pure tungsten is prone to scratches and other similar damages to other metals, tungsten carbide is four times harder than titanium and nearly ten times harder than eighteen carat gold. Thus tungsten can be considered as the hardest metal used for commercial jewelry. For couples who are involved with physical activities that may nick or damage soft metals, tungsten wedding bands would be the safest choice. The polish of the ring is often considered permanent and will not wear off due to the metal's strength.
The tungsten rings are incredibly durable; however it is wise to remove the ring while engaging in heavy activities. Proper care should be given to the ring and it should be cleaned with mild cleansers and soft cloths. If possible, store the ring separately from other jewelry, particularly diamonds which can scratch the metals. Special care should be given to inset diamonds present in the tungsten engagement rings.
3. Hypoallergenic This is the very same concern as buying silver jewelry to some people: Will I be allergic to the jewelry? In general, titanium jewelry is virtually safe to wear for everybody. Yet, some tungsten carbide jewelry contains the element cobalt that some people are allergic to. Interesting, another form of tungsten alloy using nickel as a binder metal is hypoallergenic, even to people who are allergic to nickel.
Cobalt-binder is very common because it is more readily available and substantially cheaper than nickel-binder. While in manufacturing processes this may be a fine substitute, in jewelry substituting cobalt for nickel can produce adverse effects, our rings are hypo-allergenic. Cobalt can have adverse effects on skin and is subject to oxidation similar to silver but cannot be removed by polishing or grinding. Nickel-binder carbide is completely safe and chemically inert and will never oxidize. Many other companies will claim to have 'Tungsten Carbide' rings that sell very cheap, but will not disclose their elements. Others will only use Tungsten (see tungsten vs. titanium below).
About the Author:
Tungsten Rings and Bands answers all your tungsten ring barb questions and offers you the gold inlaid tungsten rings of your dreams!. Unique version for reprint here: The Marvelous World of Tungsten Rings.
