Tungsten or Titanium Wedding Band

[Octavius]

Hello all,

I'm in the market for a wedding ring. I'm interested in the "alternative" metals, and tungsten and titanium have caught my eye.

Anyone wear Tungsten or Titanium wedding bands that would be so kind as to comment on what it's like to wear them day in and day out?

Apparently Tungsten shatters very easily, whereas Titanium scratches very easily. Any merit to these claims?

Thanks

[lookinforadeal]

I'd get tungsten. It will polish up nicely and is very hard so it is less prone to scratches. I don't think you have to worry about it shattering on your finger, it's very unlikely you will produce that amount of force. Unless you hit it with a hammer or throw it against a very hard surface. I'm not a fan of titanium for jewelry. It's too soft, it won't shatter, but it scratches easily like a mofo. You can polish it but it uglies very fast.

[Starkicker]

You might want to consider platinum as well (if it's within your budget).

[Winkle]

You might want to consider platinum as well (if it's within your budget).

Platinum is great, also pricey, palladium is a cheaper alternative to platinum with most of the same properties.

[Stock R]

Here's a summary of what I know.

Tungsten - Hard as heck. Won't scratch. Heavy.

Titanium - Very light. Will scratch.

Platinum - $$$. Will scratch very easily.

I wear a tungsten band as it suits my lifestyle the best. I work with my hands a lot and i'm not a careful guy. I always cut/bang/scratch up myself. Ring still looks like the day I got it.

Mrs Stock has platinum rings. She's a very careful person. Just from daily wear, her rings are scuffed.

I don't think you can go wrong with either Tungsten or Titanium, especially for the price. Just choose the one that suits you better.

[Octavius]

Thanks everyone.

Good to hear tungsten has a bit of "give" to it. My main concern with not getting a tungsten ring was with the risk that it would shatter so easily.

For example, if I took my ring off and left it on my desk, only for me to forget about it, move some papers around, and knock it off my desk. The idea of it shattering from something so minor is my main reservation about getting a tungsten ring. Otherwise, I like the strength, I like the finish, I like how scratch resistant it is.

Am I maybe thinking tungsten rings need to be babied more than they actually do?

[amz155]

Tungsten doesn't shatter THAT easily. You have to hit it on a certain plane for it to shatter. My husband has a tungsten band and I have a tungsten band that I wear when I travel. We both love the weight, the comfortable fit, and that they can take quite the beating and look brand new all the time. We have both dropped ours on the granite counter top or tile kitchen floor numerous times and the rings haven't shattered. Hubby got his from a jewellery store so even if his ring shatters, they will replace it. I got a cheaper version from ebay and its very good quality.

My engagement ring and wedding band are platinum and platinum scratches. You will have to get the ring polished often if you want it to stay looking new and in good condition.

[bunga]

I can't speak for other alt metals, but I've had a tungsten ring for about five years that I wear daily. Hasn't chipped, shattered, or scratched, and I've beaten the crap out of it. Only thing is the polished sections aren't quite as clean and bright as when new. Tried cleaning it with dish soap and still looks the same. Doesn't look bad mind you, just not as bling as when I first got it.

[Stock R]

I can't speak for other alt metals, but I've had a tungsten ring for about five years that I wear daily. Hasn't chipped, shattered, or scratched, and I've beaten the crap out of it. Only thing is the polished sections aren't quite as clean and bright as when new. Tried cleaning it with dish soap and still looks the same. Doesn't look bad mind you, just not as bling as when I first got it.

Yeah, I can't imagine anything happening to my tungsten ring either.

Try an ultrasonic cleaner. I bought one for the Mrs. We throw (almost) everything into it for cleaning every once in a while and it suprisingly works very well. I always thought they were a gimmick until we actually tried it.

[sedated_xtc]

Might be a little late but I googled this up for you if you'd want to take a look?

http://www.titanium-vs-tungsten.com/

post pictures of what you got later!

[lilnymphie]

We're also interested in Tungsten, could you share which stores you are considering for them? We were thinking Costco originally, but their rings are way too big. Now we're at a loss at where to go.

[feidailo]

im surprised no one mentioned cobalt. its stronger, doesnt shatter, white, inert, non allergy, scratch resistant, metal. cheaper too. the only drawback i believe is that...resizing the ring will be hard. i think the tolerance is +/- half a ring size? idk check out scott kay bioblu28 in google.

speaking from experience, if i could do it all over again, id just get gold.

[bunga]

Yeah, I can't imagine anything happening to my tungsten ring either.

Try an ultrasonic cleaner. I bought one for the Mrs. We throw (almost) everything into it for cleaning every once in a while and it suprisingly works very well. I always thought they were a gimmick until we actually tried it.

Maybe at some point in the future. Doesn't bother me as it gives the ring a well-worn look. I'm just surprised as tungsten isn't supposed to dull at all

[amz155]

We're also interested in Tungsten, could you share which stores you are considering for them? We were thinking Costco originally, but their rings are way too big. Now we're at a loss at where to go.

Most jewellery stores sell tungsten bands, no?

Check out the brand Art Carved. Though there are lots of others.

There's always ebay as well

[drakk18]

Thanks everyone.

Good to hear tungsten has a bit of "give" to it. My main concern with not getting a tungsten ring was with the risk that it would shatter so easily.

For example, if I took my ring off and left it on my desk, only for me to forget about it, move some papers around, and knock it off my desk. The idea of it shattering from something so minor is my main reservation about getting a tungsten ring. Otherwise, I like the strength, I like the finish, I like how scratch resistant it is.

Am I maybe thinking tungsten rings need to be babied more than they actually do?

I've been wearing a tungsten ring for over a year, I dont know how many times I've just been playing with it and dropped it on the floor (sometimes on the sidewalk too). Its never gotten a dent or a scratch from that. Its just a bit heavier than a usual ring so it'll take a bit to get used to. I wouldnt worry about it shattering.