Things You Need To Know Before Choosing Tungsten Jewelry

By Tim Kiv


Tungsten jewelry has become more and more popular over the last few years. This is mainly due to the metals appearance and durability. It is harder than any other metal and cannot be welded or bent like other, softer, metals which are more commonly used for making jewelry. While the element tungsten is a rather soft metal, once it is combined with carbide it becomes incredibly durable and scratch resistant. This new metal is known as Tungsten carbide.

Because of its ability to withstand common a lot of nicks and scrapes without being damaged, it has become a very common choice for certain personal items. It has become increasingly popular for those people working in industries such as construction. They can go all day with a wedding band made from this metal without worrying about the damage it may endure.

While choosing your items, finding out what material was used as a binder and finish is the most important question to ask. The most common choice is the nickel finish. This is the one you want to choose. Not only is this material hypoallergenic, it also gives the piece a beautiful finish that will last forever.

The other type of finish and binder that may be used is a cobalt finish. This is by far the worst option you can choose. The cobalt tends to react with the oils on the skin and turns the surface of the item to a grey color similar to tarnished silver. Once the reaction has occurred there is no way to reverse the damage. While this material is not commonly used for tungsten jewelry, you will need to look out for it when looking at the cheaper items.

Tungsten is commonly used for wedding bands, however there are many other items that can benefit from using a stronger material. Because of its ability to withstand a lot of wear and tear it makes for a great heirloom. It can be passed from generation to generation without being damaged over time like gold or silver tends to be. It also has a low maintenance factor because the original polish will last the lifetime of the item.

While it is generally known for its durability the make up of the metal has a huge effect on this. It is important to find out before the percentage of tungsten is used. If the number is too high the item can become too brittle and break easily. And, if it is too low it will be less resistant to nicks and dents. The ideal percentage is around 85 percent.

Another thing to consider before making your purchase is that these rings are not able to be re-sized. Therefor it is important to know exactly what you will need before purchasing. You should also be aware that because of the durability of the metal it cannot be engraved like traditional wedding bands might.

Once you have decided on the tungsten jewelry you would like, the best option for making your purchase is through an online dealer. These are currently popping up all over the web. These dealers are usually able to offer their stock at a much lower price than retail stores. However it is still important to be sure of the quality of the material you are getting, so do your research first.




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