Tungsten rings are one of the top choices out there for wedding bands due to its affordability, durability, and low maintenance requirements.
But as popular as tungsten rings among practical couples, these pieces are also notorious in the jewellery industry for being challenging to work with. While the hardness of tungsten makes it resistant to scratch and tarnishing, allowing it to remain looking new through the years, it is also this quality that makes a tungsten ring impossible to resize or alter.
Traditional rings from gold and silver are softer and malleable, which is why they can be easily resized or altered. Another thing that you can do with gold and silver rings is to have them engraved, something many couples want in a wedding. This used to be impossible with a metal as hard as tungsten, which can damage traditional engraving tools.
Fortunately, with modern breakthroughs, getting your tungsten rings to engrave and reflect a personalised message for your loved one is now possible and quite simple.
However, the method of engraving tungsten differs from the traditional method of engraving.
Traditional jewellery engraving usually entails chiselling or etching the message or inscription into the material of the ring. This is easily done on softer metals like gold or platinum. Another method is rotary engraving, which entails the use of a machine-controlled bit.
But engraving tungsten, which is easily 10 times harder than gold, requires a more modern solution: laser engraving.
Laser engraving uses an adjustable laser beam to blast the surface of the ring. Out of the three jewellery engraving methods, this method is the one that most effectively penetrates tungsten’s hard and durable surface.
Laser Engraving for Tungsten Rings
Laser engraving entails burning the tungsten carbide with lasers, which brings carbon to the ring’s surface to reflect a message. This method of engraving is usually more preferable over the other two methods of engraving because the result is smoother to the touch. A laser engraving also prevents dirt and grim from getting embedded into the inscription.
You can have almost any design engraved onto your tungsten ring for a personalised touch. For tungsten wedding bands, common engravings include names, wedding dates, and vows.
If you are looking for more ideas for tungsten ring engravings, aside from message inscriptions (like phrases or birthdays), you can also request for a fancy monogram engraving (which can be pricier as it entails more effort) and even images. In other words, as long as the image, monogram, or phrase fits, you can have it engraved on your tungsten ring.
Word of Caution
While tungsten ring engraving is definitely doable, it is very challenging to have these engravings removed from the metal. While it can be done, the result may leave permanent marks and affect the integrity of the metal. So before you go ahead and have your ring engraved, think thoroughly and make a careful decision.
Engraving Methods for Tungsten
Because tungsten carbide is too hard for traditional rotary engraving tools, specialist methods are used:
- Laser engraving: The most common method. A focused laser beam precisely etches text, symbols, or patterns onto the surface. Produces crisp, clean lines that are permanent.
- Diamond-tip engraving: A diamond-pointed tool scratches the design into the tungsten surface. Less common than laser but available at some specialist jewellers.
- CNC machining: Computer-controlled tools can create deeper engraved patterns and textures during manufacturing.
What Can You Engrave on a Tungsten Ring?
Common engraving choices include:
- Wedding dates and anniversaries
- Names or initials
- Short messages or vows
- Coordinates of a meaningful location
- Symbols, fingerprints, or soundwave patterns
Most laser engravers can handle any text or simple design. The interior of the ring is the most popular location for personal engravings as it keeps the message private and close to your skin.
Is Engraving Permanent on Tungsten?
Yes. Laser engraving on tungsten carbide is permanent and will not fade, wear away, or rub off over time. The engraving is etched into the material itself, not applied as a surface coating. Your message will remain legible for the entire life of the ring.
Shop Related Tungsten Rings
Perfect for personalisation with laser engraving:
- 8mm Gold or Silver Dome Gunmetal Tungsten Ring
- 8mm High Polished Luxury Gold Tungsten Wedding Band
- 8mm Gold Celtic Dragon Inlay Polished Silver Tungsten Wedding Band