Tungsten carbide rings are all the rage right now, have you heard people going on and on about the tungsten ring trend? Tungsten carbide rings have some pretty amazing properties, you may have even seen them touted as Superman’s choice. I don’t know about Superman but you can be assured that these rings have gained significant popularity with men and women alike. They are especially strong in the wedding ring arena and in men’s jewelry.
If you haven’t heard all the buzz or came here because you are curious what all the buzz is about let me share some of the amazing properties of these rings with you. Tungsten carbide rings are incredibly strong. Almost as strong as diamonds on the hardness scale. Tungsten rings are frequently described as unbreakable though this is not technically true. Because they are so hard, tungsten carbide rings are almost impossible to scratch, usually you will have to come across something harder than the tungsten ring itself to scratch it so this is very unlikely. This also ensures that tungsten rings will always hold their shape. Perhaps more impressive though is that tungsten carbide rings never tarnish, ever. Making them maintenance free and exceptionally popular. You don’t have time to take jewelry to be cleaned or make time to clean jewelry all the time.
You want a more in depth technical look? Often just called simply tungsten rings, tungsten carbide rings are made of equal parts carbon and tungsten atoms. It starts as a powder that is then fired in an airless oven at a temperature of at least 14000 Celsius. If you do choose to wear a tungsten ring you want to ensure that it was not combined or wetted with cobalt which is potentially carcinogenic. The finished product is comparable to sapphire or corundum in hardness. The finishes rings must be polished with something harder than they are, such as diamond. This hardness also comes with an incredible density that gives tungsten carbide extra weight, which is reassuring for many wearers.
All of these benefits may make you wonder why anyone would have any hesitation in wanting to wear only tungsten carbide rings. The truth, often hidden, is that there are some downsides to the tungsten rings. You cannot cut through tungsten rings with a saw. Even the most advanced ring cutters won’t put a scratch in tungsten rings. To remove a tungsten ring, the pressure of a pair of vice grip pliers. Before purchasing a tungsten ring, I highly suggest you watch a video on how to remove the ring in an emergency. Especially since it is likely that emergency personnel may not have the proper tools or equipment handy to safely remove the rings. In such a case, you could lose your finger if you are incapacitated and they are unable to remove the ring. Additionally, since to remove these rings you must shatter them, there is the chance of causing yourself further damage.
Another negative is that the rigidity of the rings makes them prone to shattering. There is the chance of breaking your ring if you accidentally drop it on the floor or hit it hard with a sharp point. Though it is unlikely to shatter while on your hand through normal daily activities, if the ring does shatter the sharp pieces can then become a danger.
I understand why the tungsten rings are so popular as bridal jewelry and specifically for men. The everlasting shine, strength, weight, solidity, and lack of maintenance make tungsten carbide rings an increasingly popular choice. Just make sure you understand the drawbacks and evaluate them before making a choice on what ring you want for yourself or a loved one.
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