Titanium vs. Tungsten – Which is better for a Ring? | Wedding KnowHow | CHURINGA WEDDING RINGS

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Contents

• Durability
• Appearance
  and Color
• Biocompatible
  (Hypoallergenic)
• Value
• Resizing
• Weight
• Engraving
• Removal
• Which Is
  Better – Tungsten or Titanium?

Tungsten and titanium are two alternative metals that have become highly popular especially for men’s wedding bands. Both these metals have many industrial applications and are known for their exceptional hardness and durability, but while they might appear similar, each is quite different from the other.

Even so, choosing between
the two can be difficult and it may seem like you’re splitting hairs. But
that’s exactly what we’re about to do.

Here’s a look at the
difference between tungsten and titanium and an assessment of which is better
for your wedding ring.

See More Tungsten Rings Here

See More Titanium Rings Here

Durability

Both titanium and tungsten are extremely durable
metals. They’re much harder than precious metals like platinum and gold and are
excellent for daily wear. Here’s how they stack up against each other in the
durability department:

• Hardness – Tungsten is
  the hardest metal out there registering at 9 to 9.5 on the Mohs scale. That’s
  incredibly hard (diamonds rank at 10) compared to titanium’s ranking of 6 on
  the Mohs scale. This hardness means that tungsten is much more
  scratch-resistant than titanium.
• Toughness – Because
  tungsten is a lot more brittle than titanium, it’s more prone to cracking or
  shattering if struck a hard blow. Titanium, on the other hand, doesn’t shatter
  but bends and becomes deformed.

A point to note: Hardness of
a ring works both ways. While the tungsten doesn’t get scratched it can scratch
everything it touches because it’s basically harder than almost anything it
comes into contact with, except a diamond. Think scratches on fridge handles,
kitchen appliances and other everyday objects. Titanium doesn’t cause as much destruction.

Appearance
and Color

Tungsten and titanium both have a gray-white
appearance which looks similar to that of more valuable metals like platinum. Both
can be plated to display other colors including rose gold, yellow gold or
black. In terms of ring finishes, both tungsten and titanium can display a
range of finishes, including satin, brushed, hammered, polished and matte.

Biocompatible
(Hypoallergenic)

From the two metals, titanium is hypoallergenic and
100% biocompatible. It’s often used for surgical implants and is an excellent
metal for piercing jewelry. Tungsten is a bit trickier because it all depends
on the quality of the tungsten alloy. If the alloy contains nickel or cobalt,
then the metal is unlikely to be hypoallergenic and can cause reactions for
those with metal sensitivities.

Value

Both these metals are affordable alternatives to
traditional white metals. You can find a well-crafted tungsten or titanium ring
for around $50. Having said this, note that the overall quality, materials and
brand name of the ring can impact the price. Tungsten and titanium are
excellent ‘interim’ metals if you need to save up to purchase a ring made of
precious metals. They’re also perfect if you’re afraid of losing a valuable
ring.  

Resizing

Because of how hard these metals are, resizing them is
almost impossible. Retailers often offer an exchange policy for tungsten and
titanium rings in case the ring doesn’t fit you down the track. As finger sizes
change over time, it’s likely that at some stage, you will need to have your
wedding band changed for one that fits. Even so, because of how affordable
these metals are, you could always replace them.

Weight

Tungsten is the heaviest metal and has a very high
density. Titanium, on the other hand, is often described as being ‘eerily
light’. When you wear a tungsten ring, it feels substantial on your finger
while a titanium ring may be unnoticeable. Which you consider better depends on
your personal preferences.

Engraving

Both tungsten and titanium can
be engraved but not in the same way. Tungsten is often laser engraved while
titanium can be engraved in traditional methods. Because tungsten is laser
engraved, it’s easier to clean as there are no grooves and channels for dirt to
get lodged in. It basically looks like the words have been written on with a
pen.

Removal

There’s some fear that titanium and tungsten rings
can’t be removed in an emergency but this isn’t true as both rings can be
removed, albeit in different ways. Because tungsten shatters, it needs to be
cracked using pliers while titanium can be cut through.

Which Is
Better – Tungsten or Titanium?

It should be clear by now
that the metal you choose depends largely on what you prefer, and not on which
is better. To opt between the two, consider the following questions:

1. Do you want
   a heavy ring or a barely-there light ring?
2. Do you
   prefer a ring that shatters or a ring that bends?
3. Do you want
   extreme hardness or a more than hard enough ring?
4. Is
   biocompatibility important to you in your ring?

So, which to choose? If
you’re having a hard time deciding, here’s what real users say:

Michael: I’ve got a tungsten ring which came with a replacement warranty, which means that if my ring stops fitting my finger, I get a free replacement. I’ve had the ring for over two years now – still no scratches and shiny as the first day I wore it.

Andre: After comparing the two metals, I chose titanium because it’s lighter and more comfortable for me to wear.

Jack: I
liked the feel of tungsten but because I have metal allergies, I went with
titanium. I’ve got used to how light it is, and I really like it now.

As you can see, both these
rings have their pros and cons. Choose according to what suits your lifestyle
and tastes.

If you’re looking to browse high quality tungsten and titanium wedding rings, click here.

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