August 2009

I need to find the absolute STRONGEST wedding band for my fiance. I’ve read about Tungsten and similar things, but are there any other suggestions. We would like something simple that will hold it anything he puts it through without having to always come off.

The absolute strongest metal wedding band is tungsten carbide. Second, titanium. Third, platinum. If cost is a consideration, titanium is the cheapest and platinum is the most expensive. Platinum can be re-sized but titanium and tungsten carbide cannot. Platinum is the heaviest in weight and titanium is the lightest. Another consideration is the color – tungsten carbide is a gun-metal gray color, much darker than platinum or titanium.

Here’s some more information on each:
Platinum is considered an extremely precious metal, one that is generally priced higher than gold. It is exceptionally dense (heavy) and has a silvery-white metallic appearance. Platinum is a very durable and sturdy metal that is hypoallergenic, non-corroding and tarnish resistant. Although it is incredibly strong and durable, platinum will still scratch. In order to keep the original luster of your platinum wedding band you will need to regularly clean and polish it.

Titanium is rapidly becoming popular as a choice for jewelry, and wedding bands in particular. A fashionable metal that is strong, lightweight, hypoallergenic, corrosion resistant and classically stylish.
Titanium wedding bands are incredibly durable, something to consider if you do hard labor, as it is less likely that the band will crush or bend. Although often marketed as being scratch-resistant, Titanium Wedding Bands will indeed show marks and scratches. This can easily be remedied by having the ring polished by a certified jeweler. Re-sizing a titanium band is close to impossible, it is incredibly important when choosing a band you know your ring size. You should also keep in mind that the size of your fingers does change during the day with use and temperature fluctuations.

The very high-tech Tungsten Carbide is one of the newest metals on the wedding ring market. Tungsten carbide is a somewhat unconventional metal in comparison to gold and platinum, but is nevertheless a very durable option for wedding rings. Tungsten carbide is a very heavy, very durable and very hard metal with a rich, dark grey color. Because of it’s hardness, tungsten carbide is more wear resistant than other metals – it will hold it’s shape and shine longer than other metals, will not bend, and is the only metal that will stay permanently polished. Tungsten carbide is so strong that it’s hardness is often compared to that of a diamond. This strength makes a tungsten carbide wedding band a good option for those individuals who work a lot with their hands, since it will be able to withstand harsh treatment and still keep it’s good condition. Another factor that is appealing about tungsten carbide is it’s hypoallergenic nature. It is a great option for individuals with sensitive skin or those who are susceptible to metal allergic reactions. Tungsten carbide wedding rings can be ordered to whatever size you need, but once formed it is not able to be made smaller or larger than the original size.

ADD: In an emergency, hospitals and emergency personnel are equipped to handle all situations, including removing rings that are increasing the chance of physical injury in an accident. Because of its extreme hardness, tungsten and titanium wedding rings can be removed for safety reasons, but not with standard ring cutters. They usually have to be removed by cracking them into pieces with standard vice grip-style locking pliers.

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