Clash of the Titanium and Tungsten Rings

Posted by justtungsten on August 5th, 2015

Tungsten rings are often time compared with traditional titanium rings. However it is important to note that both metals have their own unique properties which make them attractive to individuals. We are however going to pit them against each other here and have a look at their unique characters and in order to help you make your final decision.

Cost

For these two metals, the comparable costs are not that different. Tungsten rings are on par with their peer titanium rings in terms of pricing and are on the affordable side of jewellery options. They do not compare with other pricier options such as white gold or yellow gold, but they will do the job just as well.

Strength

Tungsten beats titanium hands down on the Mohs scale when it comes to hardness. Tungsten has a score of 9 on this scale while titanium has a score of 6. Both compound metals are much stronger than traditional ring metals making them more preferable ring options on today’s market.

Resizing of rings

As people grow older the size of one’s finger can either increase with size or diminish with size. Either way the question of whether a ring can be resized or not will invariably be asked. Unfortunately neither of the two metals gives the future ring owner the ability to have the ring resized. The nature of the metals prevents it from being easily resized hence the often accepted understanding that one may have to purchase a new ring in future when the wearer outgrows the current ring.

Weight on the finger

Many men have a certain unspoken phobia when it comes to the wearing of rings, partly due to the fact that most men didn’t grow up wearing rings. This is why for those men who prefer light weight rings they will likely appreciate the lightweight feel of titanium rings over the heavier and denser feel of tungsten rings.

Chemical makeup

Finding uniquely 100% titanium or  tungsten rings is not impossible but is nearly impossible as most rings tend to be alloyed with other metals to increase the ring’s strength among other qualities. Tungsten is almost never in its pure form and in fact, the full name of the compound is tungsten carbide showing that the element carbon is mixed with tungsten.

Titanium often comes combined with two elements, vanadium and aluminium. The titanium grade will define the amounts of vanadium and aluminium contained in the compound.

Emergency removal

For people who wish to wear their rings and never take them off this is an important factor to keep in mind. It has long been believed that removal of these rings is next to impossible in the even of an emergency. While this is not altogether true, the removal of these rings can be quite difficult but they do come off eventually.

Titanium rings require the use of a jeweller’s saw in order to be removed from the ring wearer’s finger and vice grip pliers are used to remove tungsten rings from their wearer’s finger. Read More