The days when couples only get to choose among a few precious metals for their wedding bands are now over. If you are in the market right now for a pair of wedding rings, the good news is that there are now a lot more options, and two of the most popular are tungsten and titanium rings.
It is easy to see why couples would go for contemporary rings made of alternative metals rather than traditional gold or silver wedding bands. First, these alternative rings look just as good as their traditional counterpart. Second, they are a lot more affordable and still do the job. Finally, one can argue that alternative rings are even better in quality.
But which among these rings will best symbolise your love and union? If you are torn between getting a titanium or a tungsten wedding band, here’s a quick guide to help you decide.
Titanium vs. Tungsten Wedding Bands
1. Hardness
Both titanium and tungsten are a lot harder than traditional metals like gold. On the Mohs scale, titanium ranks 6, while platinum ranks 4 and gold ranks 3. However, tungsten easily beats all these metals when it comes to hardness. Rating between 8 and 9, tungsten is the hardest metal used for jewellery. If you are looking for a wedding band that won’t bend or deform under pressure, then a tungsten wedding ring is your best option.
2. Durability
Metals are only scratched by another substance harder than them, which puts tungsten up there when it comes to durability and scratch-resistance. Though titanium is still more scratch-resistant than other traditional metals, there is virtually nothing apart from diamonds that can scratch tungsten carbide. To keep your tungsten ring scratch-free, just avoid getting in contact with diamonds and your ring will retain its forever polished appearance.
3. Weight
In terms of weight, which is better? Titanium or tungsten wedding bands? The truth is this will depend on your preference. Titanium is known for its weightless or “featherweight” quality, which works really well for couples who prefer wearing jewellery that feels like nothing. On the other hand, some couples prefer wearing weighty jewellery, especially when it comes to wedding bands. In this case, tungsten rings are just perfect.
4. Appearance
Both titanium and tungsten wedding bands naturally come in a handsome grey-silver colour. However, titanium can be anodized into other colours or polished to gain a satin finish. Tungsten, on the other hand, can be plated to acquire different colours. What you must know, though, is that an unplated tungsten ring will remain looking new and untarnished for many years and will require very minimal upkeep.
5. Safety
Titanium is 100% biocompatible and is totally safe to wear. On the other hand, a common apprehension regarding tungsten rings is their supposed inability to be removed in an emergency. Fortunately, this is a misconception. Tungsten rings, as long as they are jewellery-grade and made with nickel binder, are completely safe to wear. They can also be easily removed in case of emergency.
6. Personalisation
A lot of couples prefer customising their wedding bands to reflect a personalised message or inscription in their interior. Both titanium rings and tungsten rings can be engraved, though the methods will be different. Titanium rings can be engraved using traditional methods, while tungsten requires a more modern method, which is laser engraving.
7. Resizing
Since wedding bands are meant to be worn for a long time, another common concern when it comes to shopping for them is resizing. Both titanium and tungsten rings are challenging to resize. Though softer, titanium rings require complicated techniques for resizing, which is why not all jewellers may offer this service. On the other hand, tungsten rings are impossible to resize. This is why a lot of reputable jewellers offer a lifetime resizing warranty instead, where you can send them your old ring and they will give you a new ring that fits your new ring size.
8. Affordability
Probably the number 1 reason why couples go for contemporary rings is their affordability. Both titanium and tungsten carbide rings are practical alternatives to traditional, pricier rings. They both come in different price ranges, but titanium is generally less expensive than tungsten.
There are a lot of good reasons why you must consider getting wedding bands made of alternative metals as opposed to traditional metals. If you find yourself choosing between titanium and tungsten wedding bands, this guide should be of help.