Are Tungsten Rings Durable?
In recent years, the wedding ring game has seen its share of newcomers in the world of materials. While you once only had a handful of options to choose from, you now have more choices than you know what to do with. One of the newest options is tungsten wedding bands. While they look sweet, how well do they hold up?
What Is Tungsten?
Tungsten is a new kid on the block when it comes to men’s wedding ring materials. A fairly recent addition to many wedding ring rosters, tungsten has only come into popularity in the last decade or so.
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Tungsten comes from the Swedish word for heavy stone, and that’s no understatement! There’s a certain heft to tungsten rings that just make them feel like they’re ready for anything.
Technically, the proper term for it is tungsten carbide since these tungsten rings are made up of both tungsten and carbide atoms. There are many carbides, and tungsten carbide is simply one of them. That being said, no one will look at you with a blank stare when you refer to them simply as tungsten rings.
Pros of Choosing Tungsten
It feels weighty and durable because it is! Tungsten rings are incredibly durable and scratch-resistant. Tungsten rings don’t bend like softer metals can; they’re in it for the long haul, just like you. Another perk of tungsten is that your ring won’t fade over the years — it’ll keep its shine long after inferior metals have lost theirs.
One Thing to Know
One downside to tungsten’s durability is that you can’t resize it. Tungsten is incredibly hard, so re-sizing it is effectively impossible. You’ll shatter the band before you’ll resize it, so be sure you know your size when ordering. Double-check that ring finger and make sure you’re 100% certain that you have the right size if you’re going to buy tungsten.
What Kind of Damage Can Occur to Your Wedding Ring?
Sure, you might worry about dropping your ring or hitting it on a counter and shattering it. The likelihood of that scenario is incredibly low, but there are a few (much more mundane) things that can happen to your ring.
Scratches
If you wear your wedding ring long enough, there’s a good chance it’ll acquire scratches. This is just a natural part of life for most wedding rings. Luckily, if you pick a scratch-resistant material like tungsten, you’ll still have that luster after years of wear.
Band Stretching
Yes, your ring can get stretched out over the years. While this is much likelier to be a concern for softer materials like gold, you want to be careful still. Luckily, tungsten is incredibly hard. The same downsides that prevent it from being resized are the perks that keep it from stretching!
Discoloration
Yes, we all know that you should take your ring off when washing your hands. Maybe you haven’t always been vigilant about that. Maybe you’re looking for a ring, and you just know you’re going to forget to take it off as routinely as you should. Luckily, tungsten holds its sheen and can stand up to the occasional wash (but still don’t make a habit of it).
Who Should Consider a Tungsten Ring?
People with Allergies
If you have allergen concerns, tungsten rings are hypoallergenic and shouldn’t present the wearer with any problems.
Clumsy People
Hey, no shame in it. If you get your ring caught on things, aren’t always the most careful or just love running through bushes with your ring on, tungsten’s scratch-resistant nature can stand up to it.
People Who Want Some Heft in Their Ring
If you like a hefty rocks glass, you may want a hefty wedding ring to match. That density can just feel good on your finger.
People Who Want a Low-maintenance Ring
Tungsten is strong and holds its shine for years. If you can’t baby your ring, tungsten could be the match you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for a material that can handle what life has to throw at it and look good doing it, tungsten rings are hard to beat!