Wednesday, 9 May 2012

Tungsten Rings Becoming a Popular Wedding Band Option

When it comes to wedding band materials, tungsten is under greater consideration. This is because tungsten rings have properties that make them ideal for symbolizing the union of a couple. Two of tungsten's most striking qualities are durability and permanent shine.

On the Mohs hardness scale, tungsten carbide is rated between 8 and 9. This makes it second to diamond, which receives the highest measure of 10. Tungsten can be up to 10 times tougher than 18k gold and up to 4 times tougher than titanium. Because they are very hard, rings made of tungsten are able to hold their shape longer than other rings available in the market. However, its strength and durability will not harm the people wearing them. In emergency situations, the ring can be quickly removed just by tapping its sides with a hammer until it comes off.

Another quality that tungsten jewelry has is its enduringly polished sheen. In comparison, most polished metals such as platinum, titanium or gold reveal different levels of denting or scratching, especially upon closer inspection. Tungsten carbide, on the other hand, is esteemed for showing a permanently polished finish. This may be why many vendors offer a guarantee to replace or re-polish tungsten wedding bands free of charge in the unusual event that they obtain a scratch. Tungsten is among the only materials able to maintain its original polish. For this reason, these rings require very little or no maintenance at all. This makes them an affordable option that is still very shiny and stylish.

However, before rushing to the nearest tungsten jewelry store, one should know an important fact about the content of tungsten rings. This refers to the quantity of other metals used in making the rings. A tungsten carbide ring that has the most appropriate composition has a purity of about 85%, with the rest being a combination of a few other metals.

When it comes to tungsten carbide rings, there can be varying levels of quality. The less expensive rings made of tungsten are of lower quality, having cobalt in them, while the higher quality rings usually contain nickel. When cobalt is used as a bonding element in a tungsten band, it may do some permanent damage to the skin of the wearer as it blends with his or her body's natural oils.

This sometimes brings up the question of why a manufacturer would still use cobalt as a binding agent if there is the potential to do some harm to the wearer of the ring. There are a couple possible reasons. First, it is a cheaper alternative to nickel and it is easier to use when creating the bond between tungsten and carbide powders. However, the harmful effect of this material on human bodies may not be worth the money saved on the purchase. Also, tungsten bands that use cobalt binders have a tendency to develop spots just a few months after being worn. Such spots on bands are almost impossible to eliminate. Therefore, if one wants to guarantee long term satisfaction, it may be best to make sure that the tungsten wedding bands selected are cobalt free.

One other thing to keep in mind is that the buyer cannot assume that the retailer selling the tungsten ring knows its composition. For this reason, it is important before making a purchase of this significance that proper due diligence is performed. This means researching the seller to check for their prices, terms of service such as return policies and warranties, and testimonials from other satisfied customers (hopefully there will be many of those to read). After this research is done, it is much easier to settle on a tungsten ring's seller that is reputable and likely to equip the buyer with a quality ring that will last for years to come.

Andy West prefers tungsten rings to all others for their quality and durability.


View the original article here

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