Titanium vs. Tungsten Rings

Two contemporary materials that are becoming increasingly popular in modern jewelry are titanium and tungsten carbide. These two metals are particularly popular when used in wedding bands. Due in large part to the strength of the materials, tungsten carbide and titanium wedding rings are all the rage. Once you understand the other characteristics of each of these modern metals, you’ll see why they have taken the jewelry world by storm.

Because the two materials are similar in many ways, choosing between titanium and tungsten carbide can be a challenge. When you’re shopping for jewelry, remember the differences between the two materials to help you decide which is right for you.

• Durability: Both titanium and tungsten are extremely strong and are substantially harder than other contemporary materials and some precious metals. However, tungsten beats out titanium when it comes to durability. In fact, tungsten carbide is one of the hardest manmade materials in the world. This makes it a great choice for a ring that will be subjected to daily wear under harsh conditions. One fine example of a man’s ring made from this durable material is a black tungsten band with a gold tone inlay.
• Color selection: These two contemporary materials have a very similar range of colors. Titanium and tungsten are both a gunmetal grey hue in their natural state, and both are available in sleek black, which is very popular in men’s jewelry. “White” tungsten has a silvery luster that resembles white gold or platinum. Titanium is also available in a silvery hue, and both titanium and tungsten pieces can have a rose gold or yellow gold plating. One attractive example in the selection of men’s titanium wedding rings is a satin finish band with grooves.
• Weight: One of the few areas where these two materials are quite different is weight. Titanium is extremely light, which makes it a great choice for people who are unaccustomed to wearing jewelry or simply prefer lighter weight pieces. Tungsten carbide, on the other hand, is relatively heavy, which can also be an advantage if you prefer a more substantial-feeling piece of jewelry.
• Scratch-resistance: Although titanium is relatively scratch-resistant when compared to many other materials, tungsten carbide is the clear winner in this category. In fact, it’s nearly impossible to scratch tungsten jewelry, which makes it a desirable material for pieces that will undergo long-term, daily wear. A woman’s gold-plated tungsten wedding band, for example, will hold up much better than a ring made of gold and will cost a fraction of the price.
• Crack-resistance: Because tungsten is an extremely hard material, it’s also somewhat brittle, which makes it more susceptible to cracking under certain circumstances. Titanium is much more crack-resistant, which makes it perfect for men’s jewelry. Titanium wedding rings, for example, will hold up remarkably well, especially for men who have jobs that require them to work with their hands.
• Hypoallergenic characteristics: The vast majority of titanium jewelry is hypoallergenic, which makes it a great choice over the precious metals that are not – namely, silver, gold and platinum. Most jewelry made of tungsten carbide, however, is not hypoallergenic because much of it contains cobalt.
• Price: Happily, both titanium and tungsten carbide are remarkably affordable, especially when compared to precious metals. Although exact prices will differ depending on the style of the jewelry and the variable price ranges offered by different retailers, in general titanium and tungsten jewelry is quite similar in price.

Titanium and tungsten carbide offer many benefits to jewelry wearers. You’ll no doubt be pleasantly surprised at the variety of styles and colors available. The selection is particularly impressive in tungsten and titanium wedding rings. The positive characteristics of both of these precious metals have made them very attractive choices for wedding bands. While they are quite similar, the few differences between the two can play an important role in helping you decide which is best for you or the special person in your life.

Jack writes about titanium wedding rings and other men’s wedding bands for JustMensRings.com.