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.
2. Ductility Titanium is more ductile than tungsten in the common alloys used in jewelry. In other words, when a wedding ring is under high pressure, such as hit by a car door, a titanium ring would be bend out-of-round whereas a tungsten carbide ring would fracture into several pieces. Hence, in terms of safety, a tungsten carbide ring is “safer” to wear.
From above all, we know the tungsten wedding rings are durable and safe. If there is no accident happen, it will go with you for ever just like your happy marriage.
It is very common for people to mistakenly believe that the two metals are either the same thing or equal. Titanium is a strong metal but not resilient like tungsten carbide. Over time titanium rings will scratch and lose their polish thus needing to be refinished. Tungsten alone (not tungsten carbide) is also much like titanium. Without the carbide it does not gain its extreme hardness and durability. Only when tungsten is combined with a carbon alloy is it transformed into tungsten carbide, the strongest of all metals. Tungsten carbide is also a heavier metal than titanium which is very lightweight, making it more durable and better looking.
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