subject: Pros And Cons Of Tungsten Rings [print this page] When shopping for wedding rings, people are now walking away with tungsten rings or tungsten wedding bands which have become great favorites, particularly for men. No doubt, tungsten rings are just as pretty at their more traditionally bought competitors, but like the rest, they do have their pros and cons as mentioned below:
Durability
Tungsten rings are very durable and scratch resistant. This makes tungsten wedding bands very appealing for couples where a spouses job might require any sort of manual labor. Tungsten rings can also withstand pressure and do not bend as easily as gold, silver, platinum and titanium. A great amount of stress is needed to break or bend them which make them more durable than most other metals.
Maintenance
Tungsten rings and tungsten wedding bands are very low maintenance since the ring is able to retain its original luster and polish for a long time. Coming into contact with other substance has no effect on a tungsten ring since it does not react chemically with them and is resistant to most acids. Although they do require routine cleaning, it is not as frequent or extensive as compared to other rings.
Engraving
Most young couples choose to get their wedding rings engraved as a part of their special bond and love. This is not possible to do with tungsten wedding bands because it takes something as hard as a diamond to make a scratch on a tungsten ring. Any attempts made at engraving result in faint markings at best.
Allergic Reactions
Tungsten wedding bands are popular because tungsten is hypoallergenic and good for people with sensitive skin. However you should pay attention to the other metals used in the ring. If made with cobalt in the tungsten alloy, the cobalt reacts chemically and causes oxidation on the ring and your skin. The oxidation cannot be removed by polishing or grinding so it is better to buy tungsten rings where nickel is used.
Resizing
If your body undergoes changes, like losing or gaining weight, tungsten rings do not share the flexibility to be resized that other metals offer due to its extreme hardness. This means having to get a new ring every time your body undergoes a change. Most jewelers offer a resizing guarantee which allows you to return the ring and get a new ring which fits your current size.
